Boletus cervinus, Deer Mushroom

Deer Truffle, Hart Truffle, False Truffle, Deer Balls, Deers Earth Balls, Hearts Truffle, Lycoperdon nuts
Tubera Cervina, Fungus Cervinus, Scleroderma Cervinum, Lycoperdon Solidum, Crepitus Lupi

Salmon, Botanologia, 1710

Flora Danica [G.C. Oeder et al]] (1761-1883)

Elaphomyces granulatus
(Photo by bjoerns) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:

Elaphomyces granulatus (syn. Elaphomyces cervinus, Lycoperdon cervinum)

Parts used:

Dried Mushroom
Found under Pine trees and is detected by orange-yellow branched threads or hypha in the decaying leaf.

Temperature & Taste:

Neutral. (Salmon said Cool and Moist)
They have a ‘strong and evil smell’ when fresh, which goes upon drying.

Uses:

1. Strengthens the Kidneys, Nourishes Yin:
-Aphrodisiac
-increases Semen

2. Resists Poison:
-expels Poison
-bitings of venomous beasts
-Diarrhea, Dysentery

3. Increases Milk:
-used to increase Milk

Dose:

Powder: 2–4 grams (to 6 grams), taken with wine to promote Lust.
Tincture (1 in 5): 10–30 drops

Comment:

1. Previously, they were burnt and the smoke passed by the opening of the vagina via a funnel to settle Hysteria, and promote menstruation.
2. Laid under the pillow, it was said to promote sleep.
3. Worn as an amulet against hemorrhoids.

Preparation:

They are washed, sliced, threaded on string and hung up to dry. When well dried they can be powdered and kept in a sealed jar.

Main Combinations:

1. Aphrodisiac:
i. Deer Mushroom with Cinnamon or Pulvis Aromaticus
ii. Deer Mushroom with Cinnamon, Long Pepper, Rocket Seed, Parsnip seed, Deer Pizzle (as in Powder to Stimulate Venery of Wecker)
iii. Deer Mushroom with Ash tree keys, Bull Pizzle, Borax, Pellitory, Long Pepper, Ginger (as in Decoctum Satyriacum)
iv. Deer Mushroom with Rocket seed, Parsnip seed, Nettle seed, Leek seed, Galangal, Cinnamon, Skink, Pearl, Saffron, Cantharide (Mynsicht)
v. Deer Mushroom with Orchis, Sea Holly root, Pine nuts, Almonds, Cardamon, Ginger, Borax, Rocket seed, Skink, Musk (as in Magnanimous Electuary)
2. To increase Breast Milk, Deer Mushroom with Barley water, sweetened with sugar, with Pepper added (Salmon)

Major Formulas:

Powder to Stimulate Venery (Wecker)
Decoctum Satyriacum (Thesaurus & armamentarium medico-chymicum, Mynsicht, 1682)
Magnanimous Electuary

Cautions:

None noted