Witnessed by: TCM
Omphalia (Omphalia lapidescens), of the Polyporaceae family. Underground fungal sclerotium on bamboo roots; native range: on bamboo roots in warm forests of southern China. Globally recognized as lei wan (雷丸) in Chinese, and thunder ball fungus, omphalia sclerotium in English. The part used is sclerotium. Hard rounded lump, dark outside and white within, dense and stony, bitter to the taste.
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.
OMPHALIA
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- omphalia
- Scientific name
- Omphalia lapidescens Schroet.
- Family
- Polyporaceae
Form
- Part used
- sclerotium
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- bitter
Temperature
- TCM
- cold
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Stomach · Large Intestine
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- kills parasites, expels tapeworm, roundworm and hookworm
Cautions
- Contraindications
- not to be decocted; caution in Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold
- Toxicity
- slightly toxic — avoid overdose and prolonged use
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