Trametes Versicolor Capsules (Turkey Tail)

Trametes Versicolor Capsules contain organic turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) fruiting body, dried at low temperature, milled to a fine powder and filled into capsules. Each capsule holds 0.3 g of powder and each jar holds 120 capsules.
Turkey tail is a tough, leathery bracket fungus that is normally simmered for close to an hour before it gives anything up. The capsules skip that step: the mushroom is already milled, and you take it with a glass of water.

Whole Powder, Not an Extract

The capsules contain whole fruiting body powder, not a concentrate. One capsule is 0.3 g of dried turkey tail, the same material as our dried Trametes Versicolor and Trametes Versicolor powder.
There is one ingredient in the powder: milled Trametes versicolor fruiting body. There is no mycelium grown on grain, no filler, no flow agent and no flavouring. The capsule shell is plant-based.

What Trametes Versicolor Contains

Trametes Versicolor is best known for two protein-bound polysaccharides, PSK (polysaccharide-K) and PSP (polysaccharopeptide), along with beta-glucans and phenolic compounds.
Most of the clinical research used purified PSK or PSP at around 3 g a day, which is a far more concentrated material than whole mushroom powder, so those results do not apply directly to these capsules. Our article on PSK and PSP sets out what the evidence does and does not show, and our comparison of Trametes Versicolor and reishi puts it next to its closest relative on the shelf. These capsules are a food supplement, and we make no claim that they treat any condition.

How to Take Trametes Versicolor Capsules

Start with 2 capsules a day for the first week. After that, a typical amount is 2 capsules two or three times a day (1.2–1.8 g in total), taken with water and food. Do not take more than 10 capsules (3 g) a day.
At 4 capsules a day a jar lasts a month. Taking the capsules with meals is the easiest way to keep them consistent and avoids the mild stomach upset some people notice on an empty stomach. Our guides on Trametes Versicolor dosage and when to take it cover amounts and timing.

Capsules, Powder, Dried or Tincture?

We sell Trametes Versicolor in four formats. The dried fruiting bodies are the most economical and suit a long decoction. The powder makes a quick tea in 10–15 minutes and costs less per gram than the capsules. The tincture is a dual extract measured by the drop.
The capsules are the simplest: a fixed amount of whole mushroom with no preparation, no taste and nothing to carry but the jar.

Storage and Shelf Life

Keep the jar tightly closed in a cool, dry, dark place, away from the stove and direct sun. Stored this way the capsules keep their quality for 24 months. Capsules that have gone soft, sticky or discoloured have taken on moisture and should be thrown away.

Sourcing and Testing

Our Trametes Versicolor is organic, collected as mature fruiting bodies and checked for identity before milling. Genuine turkey tail has a pored underside; the look-alike false turkey tail (Stereum ostrea) is smooth underneath. Every batch is tested for heavy metals, pesticides and microbial safety — see our article on heavy metals in mushroom supplements.

Safety and Contraindications

Trametes Versicolor is generally well tolerated. The most commonly reported effects are mild digestive upset, bloating and darker stools.
It affects the immune system, so speak with your doctor first if you have an autoimmune condition or take immunosuppressant medication. Take care with anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs, and stop two weeks before planned surgery. If you are being treated for a serious illness, speak with your treating clinician before adding any supplement. Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you are allergic to mushrooms. Our article on Trametes Versicolor side effects and interactions covers this in full.
This product is a food supplement, not a medicine, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these capsules an extract? No. Each capsule holds 0.3 g of whole fruiting body powder. Nothing has been removed or concentrated.

How many should I take? Start with 2 a day for a week, then 2 capsules two or three times a day. Do not exceed 10 capsules a day.

How long does a jar last? At 4 capsules a day, a jar of 120 lasts 30 days, and the two-jar pack lasts two months.

Can I take them with other mushroom supplements? Yes. Trametes Versicolor is often combined with reishi or chaga. Introduce one product at a time so you can tell how each one suits you, and check with your doctor if you take medication.

Are the capsules vegan? Yes. The shell is plant-based and the only other ingredient is the mushroom powder.

Explore related products: dried Trametes Versicolor, Trametes Versicolor powder, Trametes Versicolor tincture.