Common Stinkhorn or Phallus impudicus
Does that mushroom in the image visually remind you of anything? Exactly - there is power in the fertility of the earth! Not for nothing was the mushroom named in the 18th century the shameless phallus, or in Latin - Phallus impudicus. It turns out that in folk medicine this mushroom is used to improve regenerative processes, heal wounds, reduce inflammation and pain, and ease joint stiffness.
As we had gone closer to our roots during the Midsummer holiday (in both the literal and figurative sense, having crawled out from behind city walls), there was the opportunity not only to rest but also to learn something new - even surprising. To hold stinkhorn eggs in one's hands and observe the process of preparing a medicinal tincture.
Where do those mothers and grandmothers get such wisdom, passed from generation to generation - as though eight or nine centuries of Christianity have changed nothing in the Latvian way of life: herbs, medicinal flowers, waxing and waning moons, roots and mushrooms, living and dead waters. I crawl out from behind my computer and smartphone, descend from today's virtual clouds, and find myself in an entirely different world, albeit some 350 km from Riga.
The Special Mushroom
Well, we've more or less appreciated the visual appearance; now let's go deeper into the essence. It turns out this stinkhorn is the world's fastest-growing mushroom - in a matter of minutes it can grow up to 30 centimetres long, and if it over-ripens, it bursts. It is collected when still at the egg stage, from the end of June through to the beginning of September. The mushroom should be sought in shaded spots and during the cooler part of the day, preferably early in the morning.
Preparing a Stinkhorn Tincture
Knowing the transformation described above, one must act quickly. The slimy white eggs with their gelatinous mass inside are cut into four pieces and covered with vodka or moonshine. For rubbing, an extract with a ratio of one to one is used. The glass jar is sealed and stored in a dark, cool place for twenty-one days, then strained through gauze and is ready for use.
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