Kichwa:  Punzhana Ullu

Kichwa: Punzhana Ullu    Its Kichwa name “agouti penis” derives from the resemblance between the fungus and the agouti.  Perhaps because of this resemblance the fungus is used to cure habitual bed wetting in children.  The condition is called “punzhana paju” or agouti sickness in Kichwa.   To cure a child of bed wetting the child’s bladder and genital area are swept with the punzhana ala fungus.  The fungus is then left on the trail of an agouti with words asking the agouti to take back its “paju” or sickness.