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
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
-promotes Labor
-“If one is tired from a journey, he should eat some of it, and it will not cause fatigue. (Dorsetn, 1540)
2. Resists Poison:
-expels Poison
-bitings of venomous beasts
-Diarrhea, Dysentery
3. Increases Milk:
-used to increase Milk
4. Externally:
-“Chewed and applied, it is beneficial for spider bites”. (Dorsetn, 1540)
-“Applied to inflammations of any kind, it brings out great heat”. (Dorsetn, 1540)
-“Chewed, and applied to swollen genitals, it removes the swelling from them”. (Dorsetn, 1540)
-“There is no better water [ie. distilled water of Boletus Cervinus] for red pustules of the face, if it is then anointed and dried by itself”. (Dorsetn, 1540)
-“It extinguishes inflammations in the body, and is effective for gout and other affections of the feet, when soaked in linens”. (Dorsetn, 1540)
-“It is beneficial for erysipelas when applied twice a day to linens”, (Dorsetn, 1540)
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)
3. To promote Birth: “For difficulty in giving birth, a woman should take a piece of Cervi boletus, the size of a pea, and chew half of it, and the other part applied to the navel, then she will give birth without any labor”. (Dorsetn, 1540)
Major Formulas:
Powder to Stimulate Venery (Wecker)
Decoctum Satyriacum (Thesaurus & armamentarium medico-chymicum, Mynsicht, 1682)
Magnanimous Electuary
Cautions:
“The use of Cervi boletus is not suitable for anyone, and especially for pregnant women. For if they use it imprudently and without reason, great harm may arise from it, which is why pregnant women should not use it, except at the time of delivery, when the need arises.”. (Dorsetn, 1540)
Main Preparations used:
Distilled Water
