• Question: is there an antidote to the most poisonous fungi?

    Asked by to Peter, Keith, Hannah on 27 Jun 2014. This question was also asked by .
    • Photo: Peter Elliott

      Peter Elliott answered on 27 Jun 2014:

      From what I have gathered there is a debate over whether the death cap of the destroying angel is the most poisonous fungus out there.

      Fortunately for us it does’t really matter as they both produce amatoxin, a toxin that destroys the liver and kidneys which left untreated leads to death.

      There are some suggestions of a cure. High does of penicillin and silibinin (a liver toxin protector found in thistles) have been thought to act as antidotes to the toxin although research on the latter requires more study to confirm this

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