Edited by Ilaria Porta, Iridology Naturopath
Coriolus versicolor is a medicinal mushroom with an important nititumoral and antimetastatic action. Also known for its immunostimulant and antiviral properties, Coriolus also balances the immune system. Let's find out better.
Mushroom description
Scientific name Trametes Versicolor, is also called Turkey Tail or " turkey tail ". This popular name derives from the characteristic banding that makes it resemble the tail of an open turkey. These bands can have very beautiful colors, but most range from dark brown to light brown. In Japan it is known as Kawaratake, in China as Yun Zhi.
It is one of the most common and easy to find mushrooms in the wood and dead tree stumps of almost all types of trees, with a very varied distribution, a high proliferation throughout the year and often even resists winter even though it is not perennial .
This mushroom is part of the Polipora family that are very important for the ecosystem because they decompose the wood and recycle the nutrients and minerals contained in it which can then be used by other organisms.
The ancient Taoists venerated this mushroom because it grew on pine trunks and this being an evergreen tree attributed to it the same properties of the tree of strength and resistance. The Taoists believed in the yang energy of the pine roots and for this reason they prescribed it to patients in lack of Yang energy.
For centuries it has been a fundamental component of traditional Asian medicine, so much so that in the 1980s it was officially approved the use of Coriolus in various forms of cancer, its extract being one of the most sold antineoplastic drugs in Japan.
It is currently used in cancer patients in association with surgery, chemo and radiotherapy.
The properties of Coriolus versicolor
It is a woody and inedible fungus, has a huge energy value and is composed mainly of polysaccharts 42% of which 39% are beta-D-glucans, contains proteins and fats, such as sterols and unsaturated fatty acids and 7.0% of fibers.
The vegetable fibers it contains are very important to improve digestion and therefore allow an optimal absorption of nutrients. As with all mushrooms, the content of vitamin B is important, such as B6 and B12, which is essential because it has positive effects on the health of the brain and nervous system, promoting growth and cell development and is necessary for the formation of red blood cells.
Immunostimulant, antibiotic and antiviral, Coriolus versicolor tends to rebalance the immune system by reducing inflammation and promoting antibacterial and antiviral activity.
Due to its activation features of the immune system against viral infections, this fungus is useful in preventing winter diseases and in general in all virus-induced diseases.
Excellent results have been seen in recurrent HSV infections, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Coriolus versicolor attracted the attention of the pharmaceutical industry in 1965, when a chemical engineer from Kureha Chemical Industry Company Ltd., in Japan, observed his neighbor treating a stomach cancer with a folk remedy. The man was in the terminal phase, and could not be treated in the hospital or clinic. For several months he took the remedy, consisting of a mushroom, and then, cured, he returned to work. That folk remedy was Coriolus versicolor.
The engineer convinced his colleagues to examine it. The best variety of the fungus was sought and cultivation began, which soon led to the birth of PSK, an extract of the fungus. PSK (Polysaccharide K) is the main component of the crest: it is called beta-glucan 1-3, the type of polysaccharide found in medicinal mushrooms, bound to a protein and particularly beneficial for the immune system. The success of the crest inspired some Chinese researchers to develop their own extract of Coriolus versicolor which they called PSP (Polysaccharide Peptide). Peptide is a low molecular weight compound that appears in the creation of proteins. Both PSK and PSP are powerful immunostimulants.
Its preventive, anticancer and antimetastatic action is very important thanks to its PSP and PSK extracts in preventing carcinogenesis.
PSK has been shown to have actions at various levels: it inhibits the invasion of tumor cells, suppresses the adhesion of tumor cells to the vasal endothelium through the action of anti platelet aggregation induced by the same tumor cells, suspension of tumor growth, inhibition of tumor progression thanks to the antioxidant action.
Therefore Coriolus is indicated both in the presence of viral infections and when it comes to hormone-dependent tumor cells. In vitro studies have demonstrated its action on various tumor lines of gastric carcinoma, lung carcinoma, liver cancer, leukemia and lymphoma.
Like coriolus, it is also propolis among the remedies for winter pathologies
When to use it
Viral diseases, winter pathologies, hormone-dependent tumors (breast, ovary, uterus, endometrium, cervix, prostate, testicle, pulmonary mesothelioma, myeloma, lymphoma), in fibromyalgia .
Powerful rebalancing energy and immune system antitumor.
Together with Cordyceps, they are very useful in the treatment of radiotherapy, because it protects healthy cells from the harmful effects of radiation.
Coriolus versicolor in traditional Chinese medicine
It is the fungus to be used for the Water Lodge when the subject is drained of energy, it is the fungus of the elderly and of the person predisposed to develop degenerative diseases, but can also be used for the Earth Lodge.
The thermal effect is warm, it acts on the Spleen, lung and Heart Meridians, tones the spleen Qi resolves the humidity and the catarrhs, nourishes the mind.
Indicated for respiratory diseases, fatigue, chronic and degenerative diseases, viral infections.
