Evidence supporting the use of: Trametes (unspecified)
For the health condition: Convalescence
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Trametes, particularly Trametes versicolor (commonly known as Turkey Tail), has a long history of use in traditional medicine, especially in East Asia. In China and Japan, Trametes extracts have been administered during convalescence—periods of recovery following illness—to "strengthen the body" and support immune function. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) often recommends Trametes as a tonic for restoring vitality after chronic diseases or intensive treatments. The most well-known preparation is polysaccharide-K (PSK), derived from T. versicolor, which has been used as an adjuvant therapy for cancer patients to support recovery and immune health after chemotherapy or surgery.
Scientific research has focused on Trametes’ immunomodulatory properties, and while there is evidence of immune system support in cancer patients, direct scientific validation for its use specifically in general convalescence (recovery from non-cancer illnesses) is limited. Thus, its use for convalescence outside of oncology largely remains rooted in tradition rather than strong clinical evidence. Nevertheless, the historical use in traditional systems provides some justification, but the evidence strength remains moderate at best due to a lack of targeted clinical trials for this indication.
Other ingredients used for Convalescence
aloe veraalpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
amino acids
arabinogalactan
astaxanthin
astragalus
Beta-Glucan
bilberry
black currant
bovine
bovine liver
branched-chain amino acids
bupleurum falcatum
cat's claw
caterpillar mushroom
chlorella
colostrum
cordyceps
turmeric
elderberry
eleuthero
fish protein
garlic bulb
ginger
gotu kola
grape
green tea
iron
l-alanyl-l-glutamine
l-cysteine
l-glutamine
l-glycine
lactoferrin
lentinula edodes mycelia
licorice root
liquid liver fractions
milk
ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
pollen
pomegranate
protein
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
quail egg
reishi mushroom
shiitake mushroom
spirulina
vitamin C
vitamin D
whey protein
zinc
jiaogulan
bee pollen
lingzhi
haliotis
cistanche
ganoderma
royal jelly
fulvic acid
goji berry
algae
Alcohol
Animal Tissue
Antler
Ambergris
Auricularia
Albumin
Andrographis
Algal protein
Alkylglycerols
Animal protein
Butter
Blackthorn
Beef Protein
Beef
Beef liver
Bone Marrow
Bovine Protein
Bacteria
BCAA
Bupleurum
Bird's nest
Chinese Mountain Ant
Coriolus mushroom
Codonopsis
Chinese Pond Turtle
Centella asiatica
Chicken
Dialyzable Leukocyte Extract
D-Ribose
Dipeptide
Egg
Elk antler
Euglena gracilis
Egg protein
fibroblast growth factor
Milk Protein
Mistletoe
Quinoa Protein
Other health conditions supported by Trametes (unspecified)
Acquired Immune Deficiency SyndromeAntibiotics (alternatives to)
Asthma
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Colds (antiviral)
Colitis
Convalescence
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Fatigue
Gastritis
Hepatitis
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Liver Detoxification