The efficacy and function of Puffball

Traditional Chinese medicine often has unexpected effects in the treatment of certain diseases, so you can choose Chinese medicine with confidence. However, when choosing Chinese medicine, you need to understand the medicine so that when treating the disease, you will know what kind of medicine is the best choice. Let us introduce the Chinese medicine Puffball below.

[Source] Medicinal material source: The fruiting body of the fungus Psoralea corylifolia of the Psoralea corylifolia family.

[Original morphology] The fungus is 13-22cm high, the capsule is oblong, with a diameter of (3-10)cm×(1.5-2.5)cm, white at first, then yellow-brown, with imbricate scales on the surface. When the spore matures, it becomes a clumping reddish-brown powder containing spores and hyphae. The petiole is medium-grown, cylindrical in shape, slightly swollen at the base, and the same color as the integument. Spores are nearly spherical or oval, light brown, with smooth walls, (9-20)μm×(9-16)μm. Hyphae are cylindrical or flat ribbon-shaped, transparent or slightly brown, with a diameter of 3.5-6.5μm.

【Habitat distribution】Ecological environment: Grown on sandy soil surface. Initially buried beneath the surface, it later emerged from the earth. Visible in summer and autumn.

【Properties】 1. Characteristic identification: The fruiting body is 13-22cm long. The capsule is cylindrical or oblong, with a long diameter of 3-10cm and a short diameter of 1.5-2.5cm, white to light yellowish brown, and has scales that are easily detached on the surface. The stipe is cylindrical, about 1 cm in diameter, extending upward to the top of the capsule to form the central axis, with a mass of hyphae at the base. Spores yellow or dark reddish brown.

【Nature and flavor】 Spicy; neutral

【Meridian】 Lung meridian

【Functions and indications】 Clears the lungs; relieves sore throat; reduces swelling; stops bleeding. Mainly laryngitis; tonsillitis; traumatic bleeding

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 6-9g. For external use: take appropriate amount, grind into powder and apply on the affected area.

[Additional prescription] It is named so because it looks like a puffball but has a long stalk.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

The above is some introduction to the effects and functions of the Chinese medicine Puffball. Puffball is very helpful for human diseases, but it is worth noting that we should use symptomatic medication according to our personal physical condition and avoid indiscriminate consumption.