Content
Smelly morel - a mushroom that can be found everywhere, has an unpleasant odor, is not suitable for human consumption, but is extremely popular with experienced mushroom pickers. This is due to the medicinal properties of the culture.
Where the smelly morels grow
The smelly morel, or Mutinus Ravenel, as the mushroom is officially called, loves fertile, moist soils. Therefore, it can be found not only in deciduous forests, but also in urban shrubs, abandoned gardens and where there is rotting wood. The largest crop can be harvested immediately after the warm rain has passed.
In recent years, the smelly morel, which was once a rarity, can be found in summer cottages, in manicured gardens under lilac bushes, in city parks. Therefore, many owners of land plots even think about how to remove this mushroom, which at one time even breeders could not reproduce.
What smelly morels look like
The formation of the fruiting body goes through several stages:
- The fungus at an early age is similar to an ordinary egg, the surface of which is leathery, smooth, and the color is white. The egg is about 2 cm wide and not more than 4 cm high.
- Then the body of the mushroom itself begins to grow out of the egg, while the egg “bursts” into two parts. From the crevice, a hollow leg is shown, the thickness of which does not exceed 1 cm, and its length is about 8 cm. Pinkish, at the end it has a red-crimson resemblance of a pointed cap.
- When ripe, a plaque of spore-bearing mucus is formed on this point, which has a very unpleasant appearance (smeared brown liquid with an olive tint) and a fetid odor. Having reached a height of 15 cm, the mushroom stops growing.
- When the smelly morel ripens completely, it turns deep brown or gray and falls, unable to stay on the egg.
Is it possible to eat smelly morels
Morel smelly is an inedible, poisonous mushroom. It is used only for the preparation of medicines, with strict adherence to the provided recipe.
It is also worth noting that the toxic substances of this representative remain on the surfaces with which he came into contact. Therefore, it is forbidden to collect it and edible mushrooms in one basket. In addition, after working with smelly morels, you must thoroughly wash your hands, wash things and handle the used equipment.
Similar species
The smelly morel also has twins, which also exude an unpleasant specific odor and some external similarities.
- Veselka... First of all, the smelly morel is confused with veselka, which are outwardly different from it, but also are a source of an unpleasant odor.
- Canine mutin, or Mutinus caninus... It differs in color (the color of the fruiting body can be whitish or dirty orange, and the pointed top is colored orange), as well as in the color of the spore mass that forms during the ripening of the mushroom (it is olive green and very sticky).Important! Canine mutin can grow in the immediate vicinity of the smelly morel, therefore, when harvesting, it is important to pay special attention to the differences in the appearance of a particular specimen.
- Smelly Horn, or Mutinus elegans... It is also called the devil's probe, dog stench. Each of the names given by the people very accurately describes the appearance of the mushroom, noting its special smell. The stinking horn also grows on fertile lands, preferring moisture and warmth.
Attention! Eating this type of food is categorically unacceptable.
The use of morels smelly in medicine
Smelly morels have long been considered healing. They were used as components for the preparation of infusions and decoctions, they were consumed fresh and dried. There are several directions in medicine (proven by laboratory) in which the product is used. Among them are the following:
- Digestive system problems. Morels can be used for gastritis, ulcers and colitis. It can heal wounds in the intestines and on the walls of the stomach, deal with toxins and improve peristalsis.
- Musculoskeletal system disorders. Morel treatment is used for people suffering from gout, age-related changes in the joints, arthrosis and arthritis.
- The cardiovascular system. The product is a pressure stabilizer, helps to cleanse blood vessels and restore and strengthen them. It is used for hypertension and thrombosis.
- The immune system. When the smelly morel is consumed, the body is strengthened, its resistance to various viral and fungal diseases increases.
- Epidermis. This fungus can cure almost any skin problem: dermatitis of various origins, psoriasis and trophic ulcers, fungus (including nails) and skin damage (wounds, scratches, burns). The smelly morel is able to normalize the skin condition, making it more elastic and healthy.
- Genitourinary system. The variety has established itself from the best side in terms of treating all diseases associated with the genitourinary system. It is used to treat female bacteriosis, cystitis and prostatitis, pyelonephritis, and restore erection.
- Since ancient times, the smelly morel has been used as an aphrodisiac, but there was no solid evidence of this. Only recently have scientists been able to discover in its composition substances that are similar to male sex hormones. Therefore, today the version about the influence of the fungus on male strength is a proven fact.
- Oncology. Despite the fact that there is no official confirmation that the smelly morel contains any substances that can cope with metastases, scientists do not deny the fact that this culture is able to strengthen the body, giving it the strength to fight cancer. In addition, recent studies by Siberian scientists have shown that when the mushroom is in the initial stage of its development (egg), it contains polysaccharides that produce perforin. This substance is able to recognize cancer cells and inhibit their development. In the initial stages of oncology, the use of perforin gives hope for an increase in the life expectancy of cancer patients, as well as for their complete cure.
Conclusion
Smelly Morel is a healthy but inedible mushroom. It can only be used for medical purposes and with extreme caution. Gathering even poisonous mushrooms is only worth away from roads and industrial enterprises.
