Turkey Tail Mushroom:
What is Dual Extraction?
Dual extraction refers to a method used to extract beneficial compounds from medicinal mushrooms (or herbs) using two different solvents: water and alcohol (or another solvent like ethanol). This technique ensures that a wide range of bioactive compounds are extracted, as different compounds dissolve in different solvents.
Water extraction (often called a hot water or decoction extraction) is typically used to extract polysaccharides, which are large sugar molecules known for their immune-boosting properties.
Alcohol extraction (or tincture) is used to pull out triterpenes and other compounds that are not water-soluble, which can have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
By using dual extraction, you get a more complete profile of the mushroom’s bioactive compounds, which can potentially enhance its therapeutic benefits.
Turkey Tail Mushroom (Trametes versicolor)
Turkey tail mushroom is a popular medicinal mushroom that has been studied for its potential benefits in supporting the immune system, particularly in cancer treatment and immune modulation. It contains both polysaccharides (especially polysaccharide-K or PSK, and polysaccharide peptide or PSP) and triterpenes, which are thought to contribute to its health-promoting properties.
Peer-Reviewed Medical Results on Turkey Tail Mushroom
Immune Support and Cancer Therapy:
Polysaccharide-K (PSK): PSK is a protein-bound polysaccharide extracted from turkey tail that has been widely studied, especially in Japan and China. PSK is approved as a complementary cancer treatment in Japan and is used alongside chemotherapy. Several clinical trials have shown that PSK can improve survival rates in cancer patients, particularly those with gastrointestinal cancers like stomach and colorectal cancer.
In a study published in the International Journal of Cancer, PSK was found to enhance the immune response by activating certain immune cells like macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells, which play a role in targeting and destroying cancer cells .
Clinical Trials on Cancer Patients:
A 2012 study conducted by researchers at the University of Minnesota and published in the journal ISRN Oncology investigated the effects of turkey tail mushroom extract in breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. The study found that the mushroom's extract helped boost immune function, as measured by an increase in the activity of certain immune cells. While this was a small study, it helped establish a foundation for future research .
Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties:
Turkey tail has also demonstrated antioxidant properties, which help in protecting cells from oxidative damage. These properties could be beneficial in reducing inflammation and helping the body repair itself, especially in chronic diseases or post-cancer treatment recovery .
Gut Health and Microbiome:
Some studies suggest that polysaccharides in turkey tail may act as prebiotics, meaning they can promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Maintaining a healthy microbiome is essential for overall immune health and reducing inflammation in the body .
Conclusion:
The dual extraction method is a powerful way to obtain both water-soluble and alcohol-soluble compounds from turkey tail mushroom, which can provide a broader spectrum of health benefits. Turkey tail is most known for its use in cancer therapy, particularly in boosting the immune system and improving outcomes for patients undergoing traditional treatments like chemotherapy.
Ongoing studies and clinical trials continue to evaluate the effects of turkey tail on various health conditions, particularly in immune support and cancer treatment, making it a promising natural adjunct in modern medicine.
If you're considering using turkey tail mushroom as part of a health regimen, especially for serious conditions like cancer, it's critical to consult with a healthcare professional to ensure it's safe and appropriate for your situation.
Sources:
International Journal of Cancer: Research on PSK and immune modulation in cancer patients.
ISRN Oncology (2012): Study on the immune-boosting effects of turkey tail in breast cancer patients.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of turkey tail - various clinical trials.
Gut health and microbiome research related to polysaccharides in medicinal mushrooms.
The discussion you're referring to touches on the effectiveness of turkey tail mushrooms (Trametes versicolor) when consumed in different forms — powder, tea, tinctures, and capsules. The key question revolves around absorption through the stomach when the mushrooms are consumed as a powder or in tea versus using a more potent dual-extraction tincture.
Absorption of Turkey Tail Mushroom Compounds:
Polysaccharides (e.g., PSK and PSP):
Water-soluble polysaccharides like polysaccharide-K (PSK) and polysaccharide peptide (PSP) are best extracted through hot water (e.g., tea or broth). These compounds are known for their immune-boosting properties.
Absorption as a powder: When turkey tail is consumed in powdered form, the digestive process may not fully break down the fibrous structure of the mushroom, which contains these polysaccharides. The human stomach lacks the enzymes needed to effectively break down chitin, the tough fiber found in mushrooms. Therefore, much of the beneficial content might pass through the digestive tract without being absorbed.
Triterpenes:
Triterpenes (anti-inflammatory, antioxidant compounds) are fat-soluble and require alcohol or fat-based extractions (e.g., tinctures or oil infusions) to be bioavailable. They are not effectively extracted through hot water methods like tea.
Absorption as a powder: In powder form, triterpenes are also less accessible to the body, as the stomach’s acidic environment does not efficiently break down these fat-soluble compounds.
Powder vs. Tinctures:
Powdered turkey tail (as capsules or in tea): If the mushroom is simply ground into powder and consumed, the active compounds might not be fully bioavailable due to the presence of chitin. Some medicinal benefits can still be derived (especially with hot water extractions in tea), but it is not as efficient as other methods like dual-extraction tinctures.
Dual-extraction tinctures: These are far more effective at making both water-soluble polysaccharides and alcohol-soluble triterpenes available to the body. Dual extraction uses both hot water (for polysaccharides like PSK) and alcohol (for triterpenes), ensuring a broader spectrum of bioactive compounds is available for absorption.
Peer-Reviewed Research on Mushroom Absorption:
Several studies confirm that extracted forms of medicinal mushrooms (like tinctures or tea) provide higher levels of bioavailability than simply consuming the mushrooms whole or powdered. For example:
Polysaccharides are known to support the immune system, but they need to be properly extracted (usually through hot water) to ensure absorption.
Triterpenes, found in mushrooms like turkey tail, are more efficiently absorbed after being extracted with alcohol.
Conclusion:
Consuming turkey tail in powder form offers some benefits, but due to the chitin structure of mushrooms, it is not the most effective way to access the full medicinal potential. The body struggles to absorb polysaccharides and triterpenes when turkey tail is simply ground into powder.
Tinctures or dual-extraction processes ensure that both the water-soluble and fat-soluble compounds are available for absorption, making them the most effective method for maximizing the medicinal properties of turkey tail.
So, if you're looking to use turkey tail for its immune-boosting or anti-cancer properties, a dual-extraction tincture is widely considered to be the best way to ensure proper absorption and maximize the health benefits.
You said:
is there an oil extraction process also? in general, and then in specific to TT
ChatGPT said:
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Oil Extraction Process (General)
Oil extraction is a method used to extract fat-soluble compounds from plants, herbs, and fungi by infusing them into a carrier oil. This method is commonly used to extract compounds like terpenes, essential oils, and other fat-soluble nutrients. While not as commonly used for medicinal mushrooms as water or alcohol extractions, oil extraction can still be valuable for certain compounds.
General Oil Extraction Process:
Choose a Carrier Oil: Common oils used for extraction include olive oil, coconut oil, grapeseed oil, or MCT oil (medium-chain triglycerides). These oils serve as a medium to absorb the fat-soluble compounds.
Decarb/Heat the Source Material: For certain plants or fungi, low heat (around 160-180°F) is used to help release the beneficial compounds. This is called "decarboxylation" in the context of cannabis, but similar processes can apply to other materials.
Infuse the Oil: The plant or mushroom material is added to the carrier oil and simmered or steeped for several hours (often 4-12 hours) at a low temperature. The heat helps extract fat-soluble compounds into the oil.
Strain the Oil: After the infusion period, the plant/mushroom material is strained out, and the infused oil is stored in a cool, dark place.
Oil Extraction Process for Turkey Tail Mushroom (Specific)
When it comes to Turkey Tail Mushroom (Trametes versicolor), the main medicinal compounds are polysaccharides (like PSK and PSP) and triterpenes. Of these, triterpenes are fat-soluble and could be extracted using oil.
Polysaccharides, which are water-soluble, are not effectively extracted using oil. Therefore, an oil extraction would not capture the immune-boosting polysaccharides like PSK and PSP that are typically extracted through hot water decoctions.
Triterpenes and other fat-soluble compounds, however, can be captured through an oil extraction process. While alcohol extraction is more common for triterpenes, an oil infusion could still yield some of these fat-soluble benefits.
Oil Extraction for Turkey Tail:
Decarb or Heat the Mushrooms: Similar to other oil extractions, the mushrooms may need to be dried and lightly heated (at a low temperature) to activate certain compounds.
Choose an Oil: Use a high-quality carrier oil such as coconut oil or olive oil. These oils are good for absorbing fat-soluble compounds.
Infuse at Low Heat: Add the dried and powdered turkey tail mushrooms to the oil. Simmer at a low temperature (around 160-180°F) for several hours (around 6-12 hours). This heat will help extract triterpenes and other fat-soluble compounds.
Strain and Store: After the infusion, strain the mushrooms out of the oil and store the oil in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
Potential Benefits of Turkey Tail Oil Extraction:
Triterpenes: These compounds have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and can be absorbed through oil extraction. While triterpenes are usually extracted more efficiently through alcohol tinctures, oil infusion could still yield some of these benefits.
Topical Use: Oil extractions of turkey tail might be useful in topical applications for their anti-inflammatory and skin-protective properties. The oil could be used for making salves or lotions with triterpene content.
Edible Use: Infused oils can be consumed, such as drizzled over food, mixed into smoothies, or used in cooking. However, the water-soluble immune-boosting compounds (polysaccharides) won’t be present in oil-based extractions, so this method might not be the best for overall immune support.
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