Turkey Tail Capsules, 60

Turkey tail is named for its banded, fan-shaped caps, which grow in overlapping tiers on dead wood. These turkey tail capsules from Mushroom Dispensary hold a dual extract of the fruiting body: each two-capsule serving is 1,000 mg of 10:1 extract, equal to about 10,000 mg of dried mushroom. It is the turkey tail on our shelf that states the ratio and the part used.

Sixty vegan HPMC capsules, 30 servings, amber glass. Grown in Finland, bottled in Sheffield.

What it is

A 10:1 extract means ten parts of dried mushroom went into making one part of extract. So the 1,000 mg in a two-capsule serving represents about 10,000 mg of dried mushroom, which is the figure the brand prints. That is the number to use when comparing with a whole powder capsule, where 500 mg is simply 500 mg of dried mushroom.

Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) is a thin, leathery bracket fungus found on fallen logs across the UK and most of the world, with concentric bands of brown, grey, blue and cream. It is far too tough to eat, so it is only ever dried and ground or extracted. The brand dual extracts the fruiting body in hot water and then ethanol, never mycelium grown on grain, and dries the extract into HPMC capsules.

The difference between this and a whole powder capsule is worth understanding. Our own-label turkey tail is 500 mg of whole mushroom powder per capsule, which is 500 mg of dried mushroom. This is 500 mg of 10:1 extract per capsule, which represents about 5,000 mg of dried mushroom. They are different products, not better or worse versions of each other.

Mushroom Dispensary is a UK mushroom extract brand. Its mushrooms are cultivated in Finland and the extracts are bottled in Sheffield. Every product is a dual extract, made with hot water and then ethanol, from the fruiting body only, never mycelium grown on grain. Capsules are plant-based HPMC with no gelatine, grain, starch or filler, and everything is sealed in recyclable amber glass.

How to take it

Two capsules a day with water. The brand puts no condition on food, so take them with a meal or without, whichever you will remember. Capsules can be opened and the contents stirred into a drink if you prefer, though the extract is bitter. The brand attaches no time of day to turkey tail; whenever suits you.

• 60 vegan HPMC capsules per bottle
• 1,000 mg of 10:1 extract per two-capsule serving, equal to about 10,000 mg of dried mushroom
• 30 servings, so about a month at the recommended serving
• Amber glass bottle; store closed in a cool, dry cupboard
• £24.99 works out at about 83p a serving

This is a food supplement and not a substitute for a varied diet or a healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the recommended daily intake. Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or under medical care, speak to your GP or pharmacist before use.

What's inside

• Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) fruiting body, 10:1 dual extract, 500 mg per capsule
• HPMC (plant cellulose) capsule shell
• No gelatine, grain, starch or filler

Trametes versicolor is a polypore with a velvety, multicoloured upper surface and a pale pored underside, growing in tiers on dead hardwood. The fruiting body is the fan itself. It is cultivated on sawdust for supplements.

Who it's for

People who want turkey tail as a concentrated extract with the ratio stated, rather than a whole powder. It suits a daily routine at any time, and it suits anyone who has compared turkey tail labels and wants the numbers to line up. It is also the natural choice for someone already taking other Mushroom Dispensary extracts who wants everything from one grower.

If you prefer drops, the same brand's turkey tail tincture is the liquid version. If you want whole powder rather than extract, our own-label turkey tail is that.

Pairs well with

The Mushroom Dispensary turkey tail tincture is the same extract as 1 ml drops. Compare with our own-label turkey tail capsules, 500 mg of whole mushroom powder. The brand's reishi capsules are the other bracket mushroom from the same grower. Browse the whole mushrooms department, every capsule under capsules, and the new in collection.

Frequently asked questions

What is turkey tail mushroom?

Trametes versicolor, a thin banded bracket fungus that grows on dead wood. It is too tough to eat and is dried or extracted for supplements.

Extract or powder: what is the difference?

Whole powder is dried mushroom ground up; 500 mg is 500 mg of mushroom. A 10:1 extract is concentrated; 500 mg represents about 5,000 mg of dried mushroom. Compare them by that figure, not by the capsule weight.

How do I take them?

Two capsules a day with water, whenever suits you.

Is it fruiting body?

Yes, fruiting body only, dual extracted, never mycelium grown on grain, according to the brand.

Our label guide explains the extract against powder comparison in full. Herbastore ships this product from the UK, with free UK shipping on orders over £40. Orders are packed by Herbastore UK, so if you are buying from more than one of our brands everything arrives together.