Hongo Mosca

Abstract

The mushroom Amanita muscaria, commonly known in Mexico as “mushroom loco”, “mushroom fly”, “matamoscascas”, “ajonjolinado” or “tecomate de moscas”, also receives different names in indigenous languages such as Nahuatl (c?tlal-nanacatl), Purépecha (caviqua terequa), ñuu savi, pjiekakjoo, Rarámuri, Tseltal, Tsotsil and Wixárika. It is widely distributed in regions of Europe, Asia, America and Oceania, and in Mexico it inhabits pine, oak, oyamel and mesophilic mountain forests, from May to November.

This mushroom has a bright red cap with white scales, can reach up to 30 cm in height and contains psychoactive compounds such as ibotenic acid and muscimol, which affect the central nervous system. Its effects include hallucinations, motor incoordination, delirium and gastrointestinal symptoms. Despite its toxicity, if treated in time, it is rarely fatal.

A. muscaria has a long history of ritual and sacred use in various cultures, such as Siberian tribes, the Mycenaeans in Greece and Mesoamerican peoples. There is archaeological evidence of its symbolism in pre-Hispanic Mexican figurines and Mayan codices. In rituals, it was replaced in Mexico by mushrooms of the Psilocybe genus due to its less adverse effects.

It is also attributed medicinal properties and has been used as a purgative, to treat rheumatic pains and as a natural insecticide. In Tlaxcala, for example, it is used in mead to poison flies. Its worldwide fame as the “fairy tale mushroom” is due to its striking appearance and psychotropic properties. Although it is toxic, its level of danger varies according to the variety and dose, so its consumption is not recommended, but it is still a culturally relevant species due to its multiple traditional uses.