Medicinal uses of Common Puffball, Lycoperdon perlatum, medicine and food
Scientific Name: Lycoperdon perlatum
Common Names: Common puffball, devil’s snuff-box, warted puffball, gem-studded puffball
Medicinal Uses of Common Puffball
The common puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum) is an edible and medicinal mushroom traditionally used in folk remedies across Europe and North America.
These small, pear-shaped fungi grow in clusters on forest floors and produce a burst of spores when mature, giving them their playful name.
Despite wound-healing, anti-inflammatory and respiratory properties, surprisingly few people know how to use common puffball medicinally. Keep reading, and you’ll join the ranks of the select few who do 😉.
Wound Healing and Antimicrobial Support
Dried puffball spores or dried puffball powder have long been used as a natural styptic to stop bleeding and promote wound healing. It can be carried in a small pouch to apply to cuts and scrapes.
How to use common puffball for wound care:
- Harvest mature puffballs before they turn soft and grey inside
- Dry thoroughly and crush to powder
- Apply directly to minor cuts and abrasions to stop bleeding and prevent infection
The antimicrobial properties help keep wounds clean and may reduce swelling and redness. Soldiers and hunters once carried puffball powder for first-aid in the field.
It is no longer recommended to use the dried spores, as breathing in spores while harvesting can cause lycoperdonosis, a respiratory disease.
Respiratory Support and Throat Soothing
Puffball powder has been used in Chinese traditional medicine to soothe sore throats and respiratory irritation, particularly after smoke exposure or persistent coughing.
How to use common puffball for respiratory relief:
- Mix finely sieved puffball powder with warm honey
- Take a teaspoon at a time to coat the throat and ease irritation
- Alternatively, use as an ingredient in herbal lozenges
The gentle, demulcent quality helps calm coughs and ease tight, scratchy throats.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties and Joint Support
Lycoperdon perlatum contains bioactive triterpenes believed to have anti-inflammatory effects. While research is limited, traditional use and early studies suggest benefits for inflammatory conditions.
To use common puffball for joint and muscle support:
- Add small amounts of dried puffball powder to broths or teas alongside other anti-inflammatory herbs like turmeric and ginger
Constituents of Common Puffball
The medicinal benefits of Lycoperdon perlatum are attributed to its bioactive compounds:
- Triterpenes: Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial support
- Ergosterol: Precursor to vitamin D, supporting immunity
- Beta-glucans: Known immune enhancers found in medicinal mushrooms
Culinary Uses
Cooking ideas:
- Slice and pan-fry young puffballs in butter and garlic
- Dice and add to omelettes and frittatas
- Bread and fry slices for a mushroom schnitzel
- Add diced puffball to mushroom soups for texture and flavour
Nutritional Benefits
Common puffballs are a good source of:
Young common puffballs are edible and delicious when harvested before the spores develop. They have a mild, nutty flavour and a soft, marshmallow-like texture.
- Protein and dietary fibre
- B vitamins, supporting energy metabolism
- Potassium and magnesium, supporting muscle and heart health
- Trace minerals, including zinc and selenium, for immune function
Foraging Notes
Habitat
Common puffballs grow in deciduous and coniferous woodlands and grasslands, often on leaf litter and decomposing wood.
When to Harvest
Harvest in late summer and autumn when the puffballs are still firm and white inside.
Sustainability
A very common mushroom
Key Identifiers
- Pear or tear-drop shape with a warty, gem-studded surface
- Firm white flesh when sliced open (no gills or dark spots)
- Size varies from 2 to 6 cm across
- Turns dark inside when mature and emits spores in a puff when pressed
Possible Lookalikes
- Earthballs (Scleroderma species) – darker, firmer inside and toxic
- Young Amanita mushrooms in their egg stage – cut open; Amanitas will show developing gills
Safety Notes:
- Only consume puffballs that are completely white inside with no signs of yellowing or spore formation
- Avoid harvesting near polluted areas or roadsides
Classification
Taxonomy
Common puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum) belongs to the genus Lycoperdon and the family Agaricaceae.
Etymology
The genus name Lycoperdon comes from Greek words meaning “wolf’s fart,” referring to the puff of spores when the mushroom is compressed.
The species name perlatum refers to the pearl-like, gem-studded texture of the mushroom’s surface.
FAQs
What are the medicinal properties of common puffball mushrooms?
- Common puffball mushrooms have been traditionally used for their haemostatic properties, helping to stop bleeding when applied to wounds.
How do you use puffball mushrooms for medicinal purposes?
- Historically, dried and powdered puffball mushrooms were applied directly to wounds to promote healing and prevent infection.
Are puffball mushrooms edible and safe to consume?
- Yes, when young and white inside, puffball mushrooms are edible and considered a delicacy. Proper identification is crucial to avoid toxic look-alikes.
Can puffball mushrooms cause any allergic reactions?
- Inhaling large quantities of mature puffball spores can lead to respiratory issues, a condition known as lycoperdonosis.
What are the nutritional benefits of consuming puffball mushrooms?
- Puffball mushrooms are low in calories and contain protein, vitamins, and minerals, making them a nutritious addition to meals.
Fun Facts
- The common puffball releases its spores in a visible cloud when tapped. Kids enjoy playing with them, but make sure they don’t breathe in the spores!
- Puffballs are sometimes called “devil’s snuff-boxes” due to their dusty puff of spores
- Historically used as a wound dressing by soldiers and travellers
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Read Another Article
Click here to learn about the medicinal uses of other wild fungi.
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lycoperdon_perlatum
https://www.mushroomexpert.com/lycoperdon_perlatum.html
https://www.first-nature.com/fungi/lycoperdon-perlatum.php
https://www.wildfooduk.com/mushroom-guide/common-puffball/
https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/fungi/common-puffball
Over to you
Have you foraged for puffballs before? I’d love to hear your experiences!
Do you have any questions about foraging, wildcrafting, or the medicinal uses of common puffball?
Let me know in the comments below 😊
