Coriolus mushroom

What is it?

Coriolus is a type of mushroom. There are substances in coriolus mushroom that might act like medicines. Two of these substances are polysaccharide peptide (PSP) and polysaccharide krestin (PSK).

Coriolus mushroom, PSP, or PSK are commonly taken by mouth to improve response to chemotherapy and radiation in people with cancer. It is also used for stimulating the immune system, treating infections, and treating liver and lung disorders among many other uses. But there is limited scientific evidence to support these other uses.

Natural Medicines rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.

The effectiveness ratings for Coriolus Mushroom are as follows:

Possibly Effective for…

Cancer when used with chemotherapy and/or radiation. Taking polysaccharide krestin (PSK), a substance found in coriolus mushroom, by mouth may improve the response to chemotherapy and/or radiation in people with certain types of cancer.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for…

Boosting the immune system.
Herpes.
Chronic fatigue syndrome.
Hepatitis.
Lung disorders.
Bodybuilding.
Ringworm.
Skin infections, including impetigo.
Urinary tract infections.
Digestive tract infections.
Poor appetite.
Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of coriolus mushroom for these uses.

Coriolus mushroom contains polysaccharide peptide (PSP) and polysaccharide krestin (PSK). These are believed to help fight tumor growth and boost the immune system.

Coriolus mushroom is LIKELY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth appropriately. For most healthy adults, coriolus mushroom does not cause any side effects. But in some people who have received chemotherapy and a chemical called PSK (which is extracted from coriolus mushroom), nausea, vomiting, low white blood cell counts, and liver problems have been reported. But it is unclear if these side effects were due to the chemotherapy or PSK.

Coriolus mushroom is POSSIBLY SAFE when applied directly into the vagina, for up to 12 days.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking coriolus mushroom if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Cyclophosphamide

Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Talk to your health provider.

PSP, a chemical found in coriolus mushroom, might change how quickly cyclophosphamide is removed from the body. This might alter how effective it is. This might also cause more side effects. Before taking coriolus mushroom or PSP, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking cyclophosphamide.

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates)

Interaction Rating = Minor Be watchful with this combination.

Talk to your health provider.

Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. PSP, a chemical found in coriolus mushroom, might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking coriolus mushroom or PSP along with some medications that are broken down by the liver may increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking coriolus mushroom or PSP, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver.

Some medications changed by the liver include celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Voltaren), fluvastatin (Lescol), glipizide (Glucotrol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), irbesartan (Avapro), losartan (Cozaar), phenytoin (Dilantin), piroxicam (Feldene), tamoxifen (Nolvadex), tolbutamide (Tolinase), torsemide (Demadex), warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.

There are no known interactions with foods.

Bolet à Couleurs Variées, Bolet Versicolore, Boletus versicolor, Champignon Coriolus, Champignon de Queue de Dinde, Coriolus, Coriolus versicolor, Hongo Coriolus, Kawaratake, Krestin, Polypore à Couleurs Variées, Polypore Versicolor, Polyporus Versicolor, Polysaccharide-K, Polysaccharide Krestin, Polysaccharide Peptide, Polysaccharopeptide, Polystictus versicolor, PSK, PSP, Trametes versicolor, Turkey Tail, Yun Chi, Yun Zhi, Yun-Zhi (cloud mushroom).

Natural Medicines disclaims any responsibility related to medical consequences of using any medical product. Effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this monograph is accurate at the time it was published. Consumers and medical professionals who consult this monograph are cautioned that any medical or product related decision is the sole responsibility of the consumer and/or the health care professional. A legal License Agreement sets limitations on downloading, storing, or printing content from this Database. Except for any possible exceptions written into your License Agreement, no reproduction of this monograph or any content from this Database is permitted without written permission from the publisher. Unlawful to download, store, or distribute content from this site.

For the latest comprehensive data on this and every other natural medicine, health professionals should consult the Professional Version of the Natural Medicines. It is fully referenced and updated daily.