What Is the Puffball Mushroom? A Guide to Its Uses

Today, the editor will introduce you to something whose name may sound off-putting, but which actually tastes good as food and has even higher medicinal value——the puffball mushroom. So what is a puffball mushroom? What are the uses of the puffball mushroom? Let's take a look below~

1. What Is a Puffball Mushroom?

1. In rural mountain forests, after rain, many “big white steamed buns” always grow. Because the outer skin is thin and light, and after tearing it open there is gray-black powder that looks like dried horse dung, it is often called “gray package” or “puffball mushroom.”

2. The scientific name of the puffball mushroom is the traditional Chinese medicine Mabo, also known by rustic names such as Mapibao and Huibao. Although the name is rustic, this is not a packet of off-putting horse dung. It is a very beneficial wild fungus, and some regions have already begun cultivating it artificially

3. The outer skin of the puffball mushroom is very thin and light, and after tearing it open it appears gray-black, much like dried horse dung, hence the name puffball mushroom. It tastes bland and is a precious medicinal material for both internal use and external application. It can also be eaten as an ingredient.

4. A puffball mushroom that has just emerged from the soil is white, tender, and smooth. It can be eaten. But after it matures, the outer skin looks like the color of horse dung, appearing brown. And it can only be used medicinally

5. After the spores inside mature, they turn into a powder-like state. A light touch will make them fly out. This is also the way the puffball mushroom continuously reproduces, namely these mature spore fibers

2. Uses of the Puffball Mushroom

1. Stopping bleeding

(1) The puffball mushroom has a remarkable effect on treating external bleeding, comparable to the wound medicine in martial arts novels. Its bleeding-stopping effect is extremely fast. Many villagers specially gather some puffball mushrooms just to collect the spore powder and the spongy fibrous material inside, put them into bottles, and keep them for emergencies

(2) If you accidentally get a small wound while working and it bleeds, take some puffball mushroom and press it onto the wound, and it can produce a very quick effect of stopping bleeding and relieving pain

(3) If a child has excess internal heat and a nosebleed, cotton can also be dipped in puffball mushroom and inserted into the nostril, which has the effect of quickly stopping bleeding, and it also has a very good effect on bleeding gums.

2. Treating chilblains

In winter, the puffball mushroom can also treat chilblains caused by cold weather. After washing the affected area, apply the puffball mushroom, and it can take effect after a few times. The puffball mushroom can not only be used externally, but internal use also has many effects. Taken internally, it clears the lungs and stops coughing, and can effectively relieve coughing blood. It detoxifies, stops bleeding, and helps with loss of voice from coughing. It acts on pharyngitis and tonsillitis, and also has an inhibitory effect on skin diseases. Plain-looking puffball mushroom really does have no small number of uses.

3. Eating

When the puffball mushroom is still tender and white, it can be eaten. Just treat it as an ordinary nutritious mushroom. The method is the same. Before eating, it can be blanched in water. It is delicious and smooth in texture. But after it changes color, it cannot be eaten and can only be used medicinally.

Now the puffball mushroom, as a traditional Chinese medicine, is constantly decreasing in supply, and its price has also become extremely expensive. Alright, that is all for today on the uses of the puffball mushroom. Everyone is welcome to comment and leave messages. See you next time, thank you.