I was elated to find the fungi, Turkey Tail Trametes Versicolor, on a dead piece of tree in the woods near to where we are staying in the U.K. This one is black but the color can range from Black, grey, white, green, brown, purple, red, orange, cream, and beige. Easy to identify once you know and I was lucky enough to attend a herb talk with a local herbalist, Katrina Weaver, who brought in some for us all to look at.
Turkey tail is a strong antioxidant and has been used to treat many types of cancers including damage to bone marrow. Turkey tail strengthens the immune system, can give pain relief, and help treat chronic illness. It has also been known to reduce phlegm, aid poor digestion and treat urinary infections, liver inflammation, and hepatitis B.
You can take Turkey Tail internally by making a decoction (simmering the fungi in water for 10 – 20 minutes and then straining and drink. This will help to extract soluble polysaccharides and other important constituents. You can also make a tincture of Turkey tail but this needs to go through two processes, decocting and then using the decoction, including the fungi, and then adding alcohol, to make an alcoholic tincture.
Fungi are amazing!