What’s The Best Mushroom For Immunity?

If there was one superpower that united all functional mushrooms, it’s this:

Mushrooms support immunity.

It’s what they are known for.

It’s what they do best.

But is there any mushroom that stands out above the rest? A shield to protect and defend you from anything that tries to take you down?

Yes. It’s Turkey Tail.

And you might have passed by it on your last walk through the forest without giving it a second thought.

What Makes Turkey Tail Special

Turkey Tail grows on logs- and mostly keeps a rather low profile as a humble polypore.

But the real magic of Turkey Tail comes from the compounds inside: Fungal Beta-Glucans.

These are the compounds that are responsible for the immune-supporting benefits of mushrooms, and Turkey Tail is chock full of them.

Take a look at the concentration compared to other popular functional mushrooms:

Remember, the beta-glucan percentage isn’t the only thing that makes a mushroom special. All those other mushrooms listed are powerful in their own ways, and have different ranges of benefits.

But when it comes to immune support, there is nothing else like Turkey Tail!

One thing to keep in mind though, is that the immune-supporting benefits of Turkey Tail can vary widely based on two things:

i) What part of the mushroom was used
ii) How it was extracted.

What Part Of The Mushroom Was Used?

The beneficial beta glucans are concentrated in the fruiting body of the mushroom. This is the part that grows from the log, not the white “root structure” (aka mycelium) that grows inside the log.

So, if you want Turkey Tail high in beta-glucan, make sure that the product you are using is made from fruiting body- aka the actual mushroom!

The Importance Of Extraction

But even if you’re using pure fruiting body, you need to make sure that your body can make use of the compounds inside.

Our stomachs weren’t designed to break down tough fungal structures, so they must be extracted to get the beta-glucans out.

For Turkey Tail, this is best done with hot water.

You could make a tea with dried Turkey Tail fruiting bodies or look for supplements that have already been extracted.

The FreshCap Turkey Tail Promise:

Our Turkey Tail is made from whole organic fruiting body, thoroughly extracted with hot water, and tested to ensure a high concentration of immune-supporting beta-glucans. We print the beta-glucan percentage right on the label so you know exactly what you’re getting!

Interested in supporting immunity with the power of mushrooms?

Posted by

Tony Shields

Hi' I'm Tony. I've dedicated a ton of time to learn all about the amazing world of mushrooms- and would love to share that information with you! I am particularily passionate about growing mushrooms, and teaching others how to do the same.