Toadstools: medicine or poison?
Mushrooms are famous mushrooms that cause a lot of controversy among people. Some consider them medicinal, important ingredients in digestive preparations and folk medicine, while others claim they are deadly poisonous. To dispel these doubts, we will look in detail at the basis and scientific evidence regarding the use of amanitas as medicine and their potential toxic effects.
Medicinal properties of fly agaric
Some species of amanita, in particular the field amanita (Amanita muscaria) and the green amanita (Amanita phalloides), have information about their medicinal properties. Mushrooms contain various biologically active substances, such as muscarine, muscimol and bufotenin.
Muscarine, the main substance found in the field mushroom, is an anticholinergic compound. This means that it interacts with acetylcholine receptors in the human nervous system. Muscarine may have potential medicinal properties, such as reducing inflammation, reducing pain, and reducing blood clotting.
Muscimol and bufotenin also have potential medicinal effects, but research in this direction is just beginning. To date, there is not enough scientific evidence to confirm the medicinal properties of amanita.
The use of fly agaric in herbal medicine
In traditional medicine, amanita mushrooms are used as natural ingredients for the treatment of various diseases such as chronic pain, inflammatory diseases and chronic nervous stress. Such herbal preparations with amanita may provide symptomatic relief and promote healing, thanks to their anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. However, before using amanitas in herbal medicine, it is important to consult a qualified specialist who can provide recommendations and help determine the appropriate dose.
Potential risks and toxic properties
Despite the possibility of using amanitas as a medicine, they are also known for their strong poisonous properties, especially the green amanita. Mushrooms contain poisonous substances that can cause serious harm to the human body when consumed in large quantities or improperly prepared. The main symptoms of amanita poisoning include acute abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, excitation or depression of the central nervous system, liver and kidney damage.
In case of unwellness or suspicion of amanita poisoning, it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor or contact the emergency medical service.
Due to the potential risks and the lack of sufficient scientific evidence, official medicine does not recommend the use of fly agaric mushrooms as medicine or dietary supplements. You have to be especially careful, because often the green amanita can be confused with other edible mushrooms. Therefore, it is recommended to contact a specialist for additional advice and recommendations on safety issues.
Conclusions
Mushrooms have a long history of use as medicine and poison. In some cases, they may have potential medicinal value in digestive medicine, but their benefits and risks remain a matter of debate. Any attempts to use amanita mushrooms for medicinal purposes should be discussed with a specialist beforehand and be based on scientific research and proven facts.
The information was taken from articles and articles from the website mushroomhouse.com.ua.
