Content
- 1 What does a red fly agaric look like?
- 2 When and where do red fly agarics grow?
- 3 What are the medicinal properties of the red fly agaric?
- 4 The use of red fly agarics in folk medicine
- 5 Use in alternative medicine
- 6 Use in cooking
- 7 The use of red fly agarics in cosmetology
- 8 The use of poisonous mushrooms in everyday life
- 9 Rules for collecting and preparing red fly agarics
- 10 Why are red fly agarics dangerous for humans?
- 11 Historical facts about the use of red fly agarics
- 12 Conclusion
Red fly agaric is a poisonous mushroom, however, it has numerous beneficial properties. It is not customary to use it for food, but its use in medicine and in personal care is popular.
What does a red fly agaric look like?
The description of the red fly agaric characterizes it as a mushroom with a very recognizable appearance. The cap is large in size, up to 15-20 cm in diameter, hemispherical when young and prostrate, sometimes slightly concave in adulthood. The color of the cap is bright red, and both scarlet and orange shades can predominate. The cap is covered with shiny, smooth skin, most often it contains white flakes-growths and remnants of the bedspread.
The underside of the cap is covered with thin plates of white or cream color, they themselves are located quite widely. In the gaps there are smaller additional growths.
The leg is tall, up to 15-20 cm in height and up to 2.5 cm in diameter. The shape of the leg is cylindrical and smooth with a thickening closer to the base, and the color is white or cream. Young fruiting bodies have dense stems, becoming hollow with age.
Interestingly, the red fly agaric uses glycogen, rather than plant starch, as a reserve substance for its cells.
What causes the red color of the fly agaric cap?
The poisonous mushroom is easy to spot in the forest thanks to its bright cap. The red color is explained by the presence of muscaruphine in its composition - this substance is not only an antibiotic, but also a natural pigment.
How to distinguish red fly agaric from other mushrooms of this species
The red fly agaric has poisonous properties, but it is less dangerous than the deadly poisonous fly agaric and more toxic than some edible species. It is important to be able to distinguish it from false doubles by several characteristic features.
Gray-pink fly agaric
This variety of mushroom is suitable for consumption, but its medicinal properties are somewhat lower than those of the red fly agaric. Mushrooms can be distinguished by the color of their cap. The gray-pink species has a dark cap, closer to brown or dark gray with pinkish hues.
Panther fly agaric
The deadly counterpart of the red fly agaric can be distinguished by its olive-brown or olive-yellow cap with white spots. The stem of the poisonous mushroom is usually gray-yellow, the flesh is watery and faded.
When and where do red fly agarics grow?
The red mushroom is widespread throughout Russia and can be found in almost all regions of the country.You can meet it in the south and in the Central region, in Siberia and the Far East, in the northern regions. The mushroom grows in both deciduous and mixed or coniferous forests, prefers acidic soils and is especially common in spruce and birch forests. You can see the red fly agaric not far from the chanterelles, boletuses and boletuses.
Fruiting bodies grow either singly or in small groups. Fruiting occurs from mid-June to October.
What are the medicinal properties of the red fly agaric?
This unique toxic mushroom, despite its toxicity, has medicinal properties. The following substances are present in the red fly agaric:
- chitin and choline;
- muscarine, muscimol and ibotenic acid are dangerous alkaloids;
- essential oils and pigments;
- betanin and xanthine;
- trimethylamine and puterescine.
Many substances in the mushroom pulp make it poisonous, in particular ibotenic acid, muscarine and muscimol, concentrated mainly in the cap. However, in minute dosages, these psychoactive substances can have a beneficial effect on the body.
In particular, red fly agaric has sedative and anti-inflammatory properties, promotes cell renewal and has an antibiotic effect. The main condition for medical use is small dosages; if you follow the rules, then medications based on the toxic red mushroom will not cause harm.
The use of red fly agarics in folk medicine
Home medicine uses the beneficial properties of the red fly agaric to create a wide variety of medicines.Alcohol tinctures and decoctions, ointments and infusions are made from the pulp of toxic mushrooms; both fresh and dried mushrooms are used for consumption.
Preparations based on red fly agaric are recommended for use:
- for skin ailments - dermatitis, psoriasis, fungus;
- for vascular spasms and varicose veins;
- for joint ailments - arthritis, rheumatism and radiculitis;
- during inflammatory processes in the body;
- for bacterial colds;
- for cosmetic defects - papillomas and boils;
- for atherosclerosis, hypertension and ischemia;
- for diabetes and circulatory disorders;
- for problems in the reproductive sphere.
Red fly agaric is used for medicinal purposes in oncology in the early stages. Mushroom-based preparations have a beneficial effect on the hormonal system and help with menopause, painful periods or decreased libido.
What are the benefits of dried red fly agaric caps?
Some remedies involve eating fresh red fly agaric mushrooms, but dried mushroom caps also have medicinal properties. During the drying process, ibotenic acid in the red fly agaric is converted into muscimol, a less hazardous compound.
After proper drying, red fly agaric is used to prepare ointments, infusions and tinctures. Dried caps have a pronounced anti-inflammatory and antitumor effect.
How to dry red fly agaric correctly
During the drying process, it is recommended to adhere to certain rules:
- For drying, use only fresh, young mushrooms that have not been eaten away by insects.
- The stem and plates on the underside of the red fly agaric cap are cut off; only the upper part of the cap needs to be dried.
- The caps are dried naturally at room temperature, they are strung on a thin thread and hung in a well-ventilated place.
The drying process is considered complete when the caps become brittle, that is, they break and crumble when pressed lightly. Dried red fly agaric should be placed in paper or linen bags and stored in a dark place with low humidity.
What are the benefits of a decoction of red fly agaric?
A healthy decoction with pronounced medicinal properties is prepared on the basis of red caps. The active ingredients in the mushroom help with parasites, inflammation and digestive disorders. The decoction is recommended for use for helminths and lamblia, for constipation and diarrhea, for increased gas formation and stagnation of bile in the body.
The product is prepared as follows: fresh washed caps are placed in an enamel pan, filled with water and cooked for 15 minutes over low heat. After this, the broth is cooled and filtered through cheesecloth.
The decoction must be taken in very small dosages - no more than 5-10 drops. Drink the medicine three times a day on a full stomach, shortly after meals.
Ointment based on red fly agaric
The medicinal properties of red fly agaric in folk medicine are of great benefit for joint diseases. The ointment is used for radiculitis and arthritis, for rheumatism and osteochondrosis, for the treatment of old injuries; the active ingredients of the mushroom pulp relieve pain, eliminate swelling and inflammation.
To prepare a medicinal ointment, you need to grind several fresh mushroom caps into a paste, and then mix in equal quantities with badger fat, Vaseline or regular sour cream.The ointment is spread evenly over the affected area, covered with a gauze bandage and left for several hours or overnight.
Use of red fly agaric tincture
Another popular remedy based on red fly agaric is a tincture for external or internal use. It is in combination with alcohol that the active ingredients of the mushroom reveal their medicinal properties to the maximum and have a beneficial effect even in case of serious illnesses.
How to prepare a tincture of red fly agaric
To prepare the tincture, usually only the caps are taken, since they have high medicinal value. The cooking algorithm is as follows:
- 4-5 mushroom caps are cleared of forest debris and washed in cold water;
- the raw materials are finely chopped, compacted tightly into a glass jar and filled with 150 ml of medical alcohol;
- The jar is tightly closed and stored in a dark and dry place for 2 weeks.
When the tincture is ready, you will need to strain it and then use it for consumption.
What diseases does red fly agaric tincture help with?
Treatment with red fly agaric and fly agaric tincture is carried out for many ailments. In particular, the use of the product is beneficial for atherosclerosis and hypertension, varicose veins and colds, and diabetes. The most famous is the anti-cancer tincture - the medicinal properties of mushrooms in the initial stages of cancer make it possible to stop the development of malignant tumors.
The tincture is taken internally according to the following scheme:
- Treatment begins with just 2 drops of tincture per day, and 2 more drops of the product are added to this volume daily;
- when the daily dosage is 40 drops, the volumes begin to decrease, just a couple of drops per day;
- After a course of taking the tincture, take a break for 1-2 months, after which the treatment is repeated if necessary.
The tincture can also be used externally. The product is rubbed on sore joints, and the tincture is also used for dermatitis that is not accompanied by open wounds and ulcers on the skin.
Red fly agaric juice
To prepare the juice, you need to take several fresh mushroom caps, chop them and compact them into a glass jar. The vessel is covered with thick gauze or a lid with holes for air access, and then left to infuse for a month. During this time, concentrated fly agaric juice collects at the bottom of the jar, it is drained and filtered.
The juice can be used to treat skin ailments. The product treats inflammation and irritation on the skin; the juice has a good effect on dermatitis and psoriasis.
Use in alternative medicine
In alternative medicine, red fly agaric is used primarily to treat nervous disorders. The active substances in the mushroom have psychoactive properties and can remain beneficial in small quantities.
Red fly agaric is used to treat:
- depression and cerebral diseases;
- Parkinson's disease and dementia;
- chronic dizziness;
- increased nervous excitability.
Red fly agaric is also recommended for use during menopause and hormonal imbalances, for diseases of the bladder and intestinal spasms. The antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of the mushroom bring good results when used externally; creams and ointments based on the mushroom help with frostbite, healing burns, ulcers and other damage to the skin.
Use in cooking
All reference books classify the red fly agaric as a poisonous, inedible mushroom. Despite this, sometimes the mushroom is used in cooking - dried, boiled, fried and even raw. In particular, it is used as food in Japan; traditional dishes using this mushroom exist among some peoples of Europe and North America.
The use of red fly agarics in cosmetology
The medicinal properties of the red fly agaric are actively used by cosmetology. Extracts based on this mushroom have pronounced anti-inflammatory, rejuvenating and renewing properties. The mushroom promotes the production of collagen, helps smooth the skin and make it more elastic, helps even out the complexion and get rid of age spots.
Creams and ointments containing red fly agaric are used to combat stretch marks on the skin and cellulite.The products also help with the healing of cracks and calluses, as they very quickly restore the integrity of the skin.
The use of poisonous mushrooms in everyday life
A decoction of red fly agaric helps against flies, cockroaches, mosquitoes and ants. It is used as follows - 5-6 young mushrooms are boiled in water, and then the places where insects accumulate are sprayed with this decoction.
However, only areas located away from household items and products can be treated with the product. You also need to ensure that small children do not come into contact with the natural insecticide.
Rules for collecting and preparing red fly agarics
It is necessary to collect red fly agarics for medicinal purposes only in environmentally friendly places. The pulp of the mushroom already contains toxic substances - toxins additionally drawn from the soil will not make the fruiting body more useful:
- When collecting, preference is given to young and fresh red mushrooms, untouched by insects and worms.
- It is advisable to carry out the collection with protective gloves to prevent fresh juice from getting on the skin; you should also not smell red mushrooms.
- After collection, red fly agarics must be prepared within 24 hours until they retain all their medicinal properties.
To dry, the caps are hung on a thread in a well-ventilated place, but this should not be done in the kitchen or bedroom. To prepare decoctions and tinctures, both dried and fresh mushrooms are used - they need to be cut and processed on a disposable board and with a disposable knife.
Why are red fly agarics dangerous for humans?
The main danger of red fly agarics lies in their strong hallucinogenic properties.When overdosed, these mushrooms lead to confusion, increased excitability and visions.
In addition, the alkaloids in red fly agarics can cause serious harm to the kidneys and liver if overdosed. Poisoning with this type of mushroom rarely leads to death, but chronic illnesses can arise from consumption; the mushroom is especially dangerous for people with severe diseases of the liver, intestines, stomach and kidneys.
Restrictions and contraindications
In some conditions, it is prohibited to use red fly agaric even for medicinal purposes. Contraindications include:
- pregnancy and lactation;
- children's age up to 18 years;
- the presence of mental illness and serious disorders of the nervous system;
- intestinal and stomach ailments in a state of exacerbation;
- chronic liver and kidney diseases.
When consuming red fly agaric, it is strictly necessary to adhere to the dosages specified in the recipes. When using the mushroom externally, it is necessary to ensure that products based on it do not come into contact with mucous membranes and areas of the skin with open lesions.
What happens if you eat a red fly agaric
The consequences of consuming raw or boiled fly agaric directly depend on the dosage when consuming red fly agaric and on the state of health. A physically strong and resilient person may not even feel worse after eating a small piece of toxic pulp.
However, if you eat a lot of mushroom pulp, then after a couple of hours symptoms of intoxication will appear. If they appear, you should immediately consult a doctor, although red fly agaric poisoning rarely leads to death, chronic disorders may appear after it.
Symptoms of red fly agaric poisoning and first aid
The first signs of red fly agaric poisoning are clearly recognizable. These include:
- nausea and uncontrollable vomiting;
- abdominal pain and diarrhea;
- headache and dizziness;
- tachycardia and sweating;
- visual disturbances, as well as delusions and hallucinations.
First of all, if poisoning occurs, you need to call a doctor. While waiting for the arrival of doctors, it is necessary to take measures to reduce the severity of poisoning, namely:
- drink about 5-6 glasses of clean water in a row, and then artificially induce vomiting and empty the stomach;
- take a strong laxative to remove toxins from the intestines;
- use activated carbon, Smecta or Enterosgel, the drugs will prevent the absorption of toxins into the intestinal walls.
In case of poisoning, it is strictly forbidden to take drugs that stop vomiting and diarrhea; they will only worsen the condition, since the toxins will remain in the body.
Historical facts about the use of red fly agarics
Red fly agaric has been used for medicinal and other purposes for many centuries. There are many interesting facts associated with this mushroom:
- In many European cultures, the red fly agaric appears as a symbol of good luck, for example, Germanic legends place it on the same level as the horse horseshoe and four-leaf clover.
- The red fly agaric is even now used in their shamanic rituals by some poorly developed tribes. The mushroom was used everywhere in the Middle Ages to immerse oneself in the world of spirits and visions.
It is believed that the use of red fly agarics before battles was considered useful by the Vikings and ancient warriors of other nationalities, it helped them feel the special inspiration of battle and forget about fear.
Conclusion
Amanita muscaria is a poisonous mushroom with hallucinogenic properties and some medicinal properties. According to special recipes, it is used in folk medicine and in cosmetology, since in small dosages it can be beneficial.
