Medicinal properties and description of the veselka mushroom (+16 photos)

Among the many natural remedies, the vesselka mushroom stands out for its therapeutic effectiveness. This representative of forest flora is widespread from Europe to the Far East, preferring mixed and deciduous forests. Its scientific name is Phallus impudicus. Due to its appearance and unusual properties, this exotic mushroom is popularly known as the stinking morel, the immodest phallus, the shameless mushroom, the panna, and the witch's egg.

These "gifts of the forest" can be eaten, but they are more prized for their medicinal properties. Tinctures, ointments, and mushroom particles are used to treat ailments of the digestive system, heart, blood vessels, and joints. Veselka is effective in treating burns and frostbite, and effectively combats cancer.

Characteristic features of the mushroom

The common stinkhorn mushroom is most often found from May to October in forests with humus-rich soil. It grows both singly and in groups. Its spores are primarily spread by insects. A surprising feature of this species is that it never inhabits the same spot two years in a row. The stinkhorn mushroom grows no larger than a goose egg. In its early stages, it resembles a plum with gelatinous flesh.

A week later, a bud emerges from its egg-shaped body and begins to grow rapidly, transforming into a stalk. The stinkhorn mushroom holds the record for the fastest body formation among all mushrooms. In some cases, the stalk and cap grow in as little as 20 minutes.

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Appearance and photo

The veselka mushroom has a rather unusual appearance: at the beginning of its life, a young mushroom resembles an egg lying on the ground. The photo shows the fruiting body of a young specimen.

Beneath its yellowish outer shell lies a fruiting body resembling the embryo of a mature mushroom. At a certain time, the shell splits open, breaking into three petals. After this, the mushroom begins to grow rapidly, reaching a height of 20 cm.

Its cap increases in diameter to 6 cm, and the stem to 4 cm. In the mature fruit, the mucous cap is oblong with small holes. It sits on a hollow stem.

Initially, young specimens are completely odorless, but as they grow, they become imbued with an unpleasant putrid odor, which serves as a lure for insects that spread fungal spores.

Morphology (species differences)

Unlike most mushrooms, the phallus veselka resembles an egg, covered by a cream-colored peridium. If you cut through this smooth outer shell, you'll find a gelatinous mass with a strong, unpleasant odor inside. The fruiting body, reaching 6 cm in diameter, is nestled within this medium.

At a certain stage of maturation, the "shell" ruptures, revealing a structure that resembles a stalk covered with a slimy cap. Its surface is covered with yellow spores that emit a pungent, putrid odor that attracts insects within a 50-meter radius. Once freed, the mushroom begins to grow rapidly in size.

Place of distribution

The phallus grows especially abundantly in Russia, particularly in Siberia, the North Caucasus, and the Far East. It prefers deciduous and mixed forests with moist, fertile soil. This species thrives at the foot of centuries-old oaks and beeches, among shrubs, alders, and lingonberries.

Thanks to their medicinal properties, these gifts of nature are considered national treasures in some countries. The scaly-flowered plant grows in small colonies or singly in humus-rich soil. Despite its widespread distribution, finding the "witch's egg" is quite difficult.

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Edibility

Young specimens are edible. At the egg stage, the veselka mushroom can be fried directly in its shell. Peeled fruits are often used to make soups, caviar, and stewed in vegetable stews. Additionally, after preliminary drying and grinding, the mushroom mass is used as a seasoning. Despite its edibility, this species is more valued as an effective medicine for serious illnesses.

Species diversity

Members of the genus Veselka often appear in regions with temperate or warm climates. Although they belong to different families, their life cycles and external characteristics are similar.

The most common types are:

1. The toga-clad mushroom is distinguished by its openwork mesh of varying lengths, designed to attract more insects.
2. A net-bearing species with large mesh cells, which is most common in Southeast Asia.
3. A reddish tropical stinkhorn found in Primorsky Krai.

   

4. Mutinus ravenellii emerges from the egg as a hollow, pinkish stalk with a reddish thickening at the end.
5. The mucinus canis is characterized by the fact that after the insects clean the mucus from the cap, it turns orange.
6. Kobayasia japonica, a subterranean mushroom, lives underground. The egg of this fungus does not burst, but the spores develop inside.
7. The red lattice is native to the Mediterranean.
8. Javan flowertail, which has become widespread in the southern regions of the Asian and European parts of Russia.

Collection rules

When harvesting mushrooms for medicinal purposes, it's important to select specimens at the correct stage of development. It's generally accepted that the most effective medicinal material for treating cancer is the phallus in the egg stage. For treating gastrointestinal disorders, already opened mushrooms are used.

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It's easy to identify a mature mushroom because its shape resembles a male reproductive organ. The most effective mushroom eggs are those that are almost ready to open. These can be identified by feeling the hard bud beneath the skin.

Young specimens are excellent for preparing various dishes. Cut the stinkhorns with extreme care, being careful not to trample the soil in the area. Otherwise, these rare representatives of forest flora may disappear from their usual habitats.

The main differences from false, inedible mushrooms

The false morel (common stinkhorn) closely resembles the noble morel in appearance, so mature morels should be distinguished from true morels. They have the following distinctive features:

• growth characteristics: the stinkhorn mushroom grows from an egg, and the morel mushroom grows directly from the soil;
• the presence of mucus: this sign is typical only for the false mushroom in its mature state;

  

• cap color: compared to the dark olive cap of the panna, the noble morel's cap can be either yellow or brown;
• The smell of a mature mushroom: unlike the stinking morel, a true specimen emits a rather pleasant aroma, since it does not need to attract insects.

Thus, the main features and external characteristics of the vesselka will help to distinguish this mushroom from similar specimens.

The use of the mushroom in the treatment of cancer and other diseases

Veselka mushrooms are characterized by pronounced medicinal properties, which is why they are used as a raw material for the production of various medicinal products. Fungotherapy with this mushroom is currently gaining popularity.

Medicinal properties

This species has long been used to treat gout, arthrosis, and digestive disorders. Nowadays, panna has become widely used in the treatment of many other conditions. The phytoncides in its composition actively combat influenza, hepatitis, and herpes viruses.

This mushroom has the following medicinal properties:

• removes cholesterol;
• lowers blood pressure;
• kills dangerous AIDS viruses;
• treats malignant tumors of various etiologies and gastrointestinal ulcers;
• has a therapeutic effect on the kidneys;
• heals wounds, burns, frostbite;
• helps with rheumatism, arthritis, gout, varicose veins;
• eliminates swelling, irritation, prevents the development of allergies;
• increases potency.

Contraindications

Although these mushroom preparations can be combined with various medications, caution must be exercised when using them, as an overdose can cause hair loss in men and baldness.

In addition, these drugs have the following contraindications:

• increased individual sensitivity, intolerance;
• pregnancy;
• breastfeeding;
• childhood.

The mushroom is generally considered harmless. However, in some cases, its consumption may cause digestive upset, bloating, and nausea.

Prescriptions and features of use of medicines

Regular consumption of veselka promotes rejuvenation. This product has proven its effectiveness as a therapeutic agent. The following forms of the mushroom are used for therapeutic and preventative purposes:

• water infusion as an effective remedy for high cholesterol and stomach diseases;
• dried mushroom material to strengthen the immune system;
• Fresh mushrooms are the best option for preventing cancer;
• universal alcohol preparations.

Basic recipes:

1. For alcohol tinctures, you'll need 250 ml of alcohol and dried mushrooms. This mixture should be steeped for two weeks. To strengthen the immune system, it's recommended to take 1 tablespoon three times daily. Diabetics and those with thyroid problems should take 1 teaspoon daily for three months. Taking the medicine twice daily before meals is also beneficial for those with heart conditions.
2. The gelatinous mass of the egg mushroom is also used for therapeutic purposes. It is used to combat wrinkles and skin allergies. This substance is applied to the skin and washed off after 15 minutes.

Reviews of the benefits of veselka

People taking the mushroom

Elena, 52 years old: "I've been using veselka tincture for almost a year now. This incredibly healing mushroom has dramatically lowered my incredibly high blood pressure. I take this homemade remedy, one teaspoon twice a day, one hour before meals. To make the tincture, mix alcohol and mushrooms in equal parts and let the mixture steep for two weeks."

Alexey, 60 years old: "I've suffered from respiratory illnesses since childhood. At my wife's suggestion, I tried a remedy made from the panna mushroom. It was made using mushrooms, vodka, and honey. Everything was mixed in equal proportions and left to steep for a month. I managed to overcome the illness after I started taking the tincture, one teaspoon daily."

Doctors

Reviews from doctors specializing in oncology speak of the therapeutic effects of the phallus mushroom:

Kaverin I.S., oncologist: "A twenty-year-old patient was diagnosed with lung cancer. Due to treatment failure, he was sent home. His mother began treating the disease with phallus tincture. Various herbal infusions were also used. After some time, positive changes emerged, and the patient began to believe in recovery."

Answers to frequently asked questions

The veselka mushroom is an edible mushroom widely used in folk medicine. Preparations based on it have proven effective in the treatment and prevention of numerous diseases.