Witnessed by: TCM
Puffball (Lasiosphaera fenzlii), of the Agaricaceae family. Round ball-shaped fungus of open grassy ground; native range: grasslands and open forest floor across China. Globally recognized as ma bo (马勃) in Chinese, and giant puffball fungus in English. The part used is fruiting body. Light brown papery ball filled with a soft brown spore-mass, weightless, with an acrid dryness.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
PUFFBALL
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- puffball
- Scientific name
- Lasiosphaera fenzlii Reich.
- Family
- Agaricaceae
Form
- Part used
- fruiting body
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- pungent
Temperature
- TCM
- neutral
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Lung
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- clears heat from the Lung, benefits the throat, relieves toxicity, stops bleeding
Cautions
- Contraindications
- caution in cough from wind-cold and in the absence of heat
- Toxicity
- the fine spores may irritate the airways; handle and decoct with care
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