I had quite an adventure exploring and learning about the King Alfred's cake mushroom!, also known as Daldinia concentrica or cramp balls, It's fascinating how something that might initially seem unappealing or even off-putting can turn out to have so many beneficial uses.
I have always spotted this mushroom, and it really didn't attract me to dig more about it until today when I entered this forest full of these fungi, where he probably scattered his burnt cake!
photo source; it's not about the burt cakes by caterwaulingcanon
King Alfred, living in the 9th century during Viking raids, sought refuge in a peasant woman's home. She asked him to watch over her baking cakes, but he let them burn. Embarrassed, he scattered the cakes, and as the fungus resembles burnt cakes, it became known as King Alfred's cakes.
As I had no other choice to pick in this forest, I decided to look more into this mushroom which I originally scared of to touch as I always thought it's off or rotten or poisonous but I was amazed how much use and benefits and this mushroom offers. The more I stared, the more I admired its purplish hue.
Picking them was hard to detach from the tree; I pushed my scissors underneath and wiggled it.
I am impressed by how beautiful the pattern underneath is.
I took a few to experiment on them.
So, to complete my mushroom foray today...
At home, I explored.
I was impressed with the medicinal benefits. Traditionally, they use this as a pain reliever, and it is believed that when you carry this around it will heal or prevent cramps, hence the name cramp balls. It is also used for respiratory issues like cough and bronchitis. Used topically, it may promote wound healing and relieve minor skin irritations. It contains compounds with potential antioxidant properties, which could benefit overall health.
Also, it can be used as a fire starter or to carry fire.
I sliced a couple. Wow! how beautiful the pattern inside. Amazing!
I decided to extract it through quick infusion method, and again, wow! the color of extract is so beautiful; it is pinky red. I could not believe it. Surely, this mushroom has a secret that not all of us have discovered yet. It is getting me into more curiosity.
I will add this to my herbal apothecary as a topical pain reliever, and the rest will be dried for future formulations.
I crushed a few of them, and it's quite easy to pound them into a paste to make a poultice.
The fun bit was to light it as a fire starter. As they are a little damp, it took a little longer than it probably should to catch fire. But it definitely is a fire starter; it started my barbecue fire.
I am pleased to have had a look at this mushroom today. I did not expect all that I have found out
Keeping an open mind and being willing to learn and discover new things, even if they might seem unfamiliar or unattractive at first glance is really important, nature always reminds us and teaches us valuable lessons if we take time to observe and appreciate its intricacies!
Thanks to King Alfred for burning the cakes! 😆
Happy mushroom hunting to all,
Mariah 💗
💗This post is dedicated to #FungiFriday by 