Mushroom picker's day

Fungi are an important part of the ecosystem, along with animals, plants, viruses and bacteria. They play a role in the decomposition of organic matter and increase soil fertility. Fungi enter into symbiosis with plants and participate in fermentation and fermentation processes. Some of them produce antibiotics that once revolutionised medicine.

There are about 1.5 million species of mushrooms, although only about 120,000 have been described so far. Mushrooms are a rich source of proteins, vitamins and minerals. They contain antioxidants that help strengthen the immune system.

Many forest and mushroom lovers celebrate Mushroom Day. On this day, people go on a "silent hunt" to pick mushrooms, cook dishes with mushrooms, and take part in educational events dedicated to the proper collection and use of mushrooms.

It is important to know the safety rules, because among edible mushrooms there are poisonous ones that can pose a threat to health.

Basic rules for collecting and cooking mushrooms:

- collecting only well-known mushrooms and following the main rule of mushroom picking: "if you're not sure, don't take it";

- Before cooking mushrooms, carefully examine them and check if any suspicious mushrooms are in the basket. If you do, discard the mushrooms from the basket and wash the basket thoroughly;

- Do not buy wild mushrooms at spontaneous markets or by hand, do not eat such mushrooms when visiting;

- Do not pick mushrooms growing by the roadside, near industrial facilities, or in contaminated areas - mushrooms absorb and accumulate harmful substances.

- mushrooms should be cooked no later than a day after harvest;

- When preparing dishes with fresh mushrooms, follow the appropriate technology: wash the mushrooms and heat them.

Mushroom toxins can act in different ways: they can affect the digestive system, liver, kidneys, nervous system, etc.

Symptoms of poisoning:

- vomiting and diarrhoea;

- sharp pain in the abdomen;

- headache;

- Increased body temperature;

- hallucinations;

- cold hands and feet (blood flow from the extremities);

- cramps;

- suffocation;

- delusions;

- decreased heart rate, dizziness.

The first aid for mushroom poisoning is gastric lavage with plain water or taking sorbents. The lowest effective dose of activated charcoal is 0.5 g/kg body weight. Until the arrival of an ambulance, you should keep to bed rest and drink plenty of fluids - plain or salted water (preferably mineral water without gas), iced tea.

This year, 2 cases of mushroom poisoning were registered in the region, which were related to the consumption of morels and storks. A dish of edible morel mushrooms was prepared in violation of the technology, without preliminary boiling, which led to the poisoning.

Take these tips into account and your "silent hunts" will always be successful and safe.

References: https://phc.org.ua/news/otruennya-gribami-yak-uniknuti-viyaviti-ta-dopomogti;

https://info-day.pro/events/european-mushroom-day/

European Mushroom Day