Red fly agaric grows almost all over the world. The only continent where this mushroom is not found is Antarctica. The largest clusters of red fly agaric are registered in the alpine mountain belt (in particular, in the mountains of Central America and the Mediterranean), as well as in the temperate and boreal belt of the Northern Hemisphere. This mushroom grows equally densely in both deciduous and coniferous forests of the mentioned regions.
Biochemistry of the red amanita mushroom: physiological aspects
Red fly agaric is rich in useful components of biological origin. The main substances of the chemical composition of this mushroom: polysaccharides, amino acids, ergosterol, triterpenoid saponins, acids of organic origin. Collectively, the listed substances cause several types of effects on the human body. The main effects are protective, physiological and normalizing. Along with other mushrooms, fruiting bodies of amanita serve as a food supplement to the diet (although this is rarely practiced).
The main components of red amanita, which have a beneficial effect on the human body, are polysaccharides, and more precisely, beta-glucans. Active study of these substances began in the 80s of the previous century. Based on the results of numerous studies, modern biologists include beta-glucans among the main fungal medicinal agents. The peculiarity and at the same time the advantage of these components is that they stimulate the immune system. In other words, beta-glucans make the human body respond to attacks by pathogenic microflora, prevent infection by bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. In addition to increased immunostimulating function, beta-glucans have anticancer activity.
Getting to the alimentary canal, beta-glucans are split under the influence of the physiological microflora of the intestine, and thus show their activity as prebiotics.
In addition to these components, red fly agaric is rich in fucomanogalactan: it is known for its beneficial effects on the human body. This component reduces pain, prevents the development of the inflammatory process, removes toxins from the blood and tissues, stops the growth and reproduction of atypical cells.
Muscarufin is a red pigment contained in the skin of the mushroom cap, which has antifungal and antibacterial properties. In its activity, it is not inferior to pharmacological antibiotics. The muscarufin component is equally effective both when applied externally and when taken internally.
Ergosterol is also included in the composition of the red fly agaric. This substance is a precursor of vitamin D2. The component participates in the process of creating young cells of the skin, hair, teeth, and bones. The risk of developing, for example, psoriasis depends on the content of vitamin D in the body. Also, this component increases the effectiveness of antioxidant and anticancer therapy, protects against the appearance of signs of multiple sclerosis.
Despite the fact that vitamin D3, which is synthesized by the human body, has a longer-lasting effect than vitamin D2, which is contained in amanita, the mushroom component is also important for health. Its beneficial effect on the body is obvious.
In addition to the listed components, red fly agaric contains dietary fibers that are partially or completely broken down under the influence of natural intestinal microflora. But this does not apply to chitin: it has been established that it is not subject to complete destruction even as a result of exposure to bacteria.
Food fibers of red amanita are classified into 2 groups: water-soluble (glucans) and water-insoluble. Substances from the first category have the properties of prebiotics. Entering the body, they reach the alimentary canal, are processed by intestinal microflora, transformed into gases and other physiological end products of metabolism. Insoluble dietary fibers facilitate bowel emptying.
Red amanita also contains a high concentration of micro- and macroelements (from potassium and zinc to phosphorus and selenium). Due to the sufficient content of these substances in the body, all biological processes occur without failures.
Poisonous amanita, edible qualities
The main components of red fly agaric are ibotenic acid and muscimol. In order for these substances to provoke the development of mycoatropin syndrome, they must enter the body of an adult in the following amount: muscimol - at least 6 mg, ibotenic acid - at least 30 mg. This volume of components is contained in one large cap of a fresh mushroom.
The level of content of muscimol and ibotenic acid in red amanita is affected by the growth region of this mushroom, as well as the seasonal factor. For example, autumn red fly agaric mushrooms contain less muscimol and ibotenic acid than summer or spring ones (about 10 times). It was established that the highest content of alkaloids is in amanita mushrooms growing in Siberia.
The dose, which is fatal for an adult, is contained in 20 fresh red amanita mushrooms. But even this indicator is considered conditional. The only case of a fatal outcome after eating red amanita was registered in a child from the USA back in the 19th century. According to the official information of the North American Mycological Association, during the 20th century, there was not a single case of death that would occur after eating red amanita. This indicator was also influenced by the transition of medicine to a higher level.
The fact that some publications identify the red amanita mushroom as a "deadly" mushroom is an incorrect opinion: its toxicity is exaggerated.
Muscimol and ibotenic acid are released into the solution during boiling. By draining it, you can quickly reduce the level of toxicity of the red amanita mushroom . In other words, to make this mushroom completely edible, it needs to be boiled several times (at least two), drain the broth, or subject it to long-term drying, and then soak it and boil it. Then ibotenic acid is transformed into muscimol, and the use of this mushroom will bring only health benefits.
Medicinal properties of fly agaric
The popularity of red fly agaric in Europe is explained by its high healing properties. For many centuries, this mushroom was used not only as a raw material for the preparation of fly repellent. Red amanita concentrates are effective for making anti-inflammatory compresses. They promote recovery from diseases of the digestive and nervous systems. Also, compresses with a decoction or infusion of red fly agaric mushroom help to recover from damage to the musculoskeletal system, accelerate the healing process of wounds, have a positive effect on tuberculosis and neoplasms.
During laboratory examinations, scientists were convinced of the useful chemical composition of the mushroom. The skin of his cap contains muscarufin. This is a bright orange substance that resembles antibiotics in properties. It has been established that muscarufin is able to slow down the growth and reproduction of atypical (cancer) cells.
The pulp of this mushroom has no less valuable properties. In the writings of Paracelsus, dating back to the 16th century, you can find references to what results the use of red fly agaric leads to. According to the doctor's notes, the use of this mushroom improves the condition of patients with diabetes, and also serves as an effective preventive measure for the development of tuberculosis.
In past centuries, red amanita mushrooms were used to make preparations for many diseases. The main ones are: sclerosis of the brain, eczema, spasms of blood vessels, angina. Also, drugs created from this mushroom can be useful in the treatment of epilepsy, chorea, as a support in the pharmacological treatment of cancer. But, due to the toxicity of amanita, preparations made from it are not used in all countries. Despite this, medicines containing components of this mushroom are legally used in the USA, Canada, Denmark, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Norway, Italy, and Spain. Medicines from red amanita are also used in Japan, New Zealand, and Finland.
Microdosing with red fly agaric
The most popular way to experience the healing properties of red amanita today is microdosing. This is a convenient way to take a course of preventive and curative action, which the components of the mushroom exert. For this, dried caps are used, in whole or ground form. The most convenient option is to take capsules in which the dose is clearly measured. Microdoses include red fly agaric 0.2-2 g/day. With this approach, you can feel a positive effect on the body, an improvement in well-being. The level of effects and their number depends on the characteristics of the body and the expectations that rely on the reception.
Anyone can try microdosing. Precautions are minimal - pregnancy, breastfeeding, individual intolerance to mushroom components, schizophrenia in the family history.
You can buy red amanita powder , capsules or whole caps in our online store "Amanita". Choose the product you like and place the order. We will be glad if you can see for yourself the beneficial properties of this amazing mushroom.
