Scientists believe they have found an antidote for a powerful toxin found in the most poisonous mushroom world, known as the “mushroom” of death. Its scientific name is Amanita phalloides and it is responsible for approximately 90% of mushroom-related deaths worldwide.

Although the scientific name phalloides means “phallus”, it is not clear whether it is named because of its resemblance to the literal phallus or that of brommandarus. In 1821, Elias Magnus Friess described it as Agaricus phalloides but included all white fly agarics in his description. Finally, in 1833, Johann Heinrich Friedrich Link settled on the name Amanita phalloides after Persson named it Amanita viridis 30 years earlier.

Its main toxin is a peptide called α-amanitin, which leads to liver and kidney failure. In 2006, a family of three was poisoned in Poland, killing one person and requiring a liver transplant for two survivors. In 2017, 14 people were poisoned in California, including an 18-month-old baby who needed a liver transplant. On average, one person dies from their use each year in North America.

Chinese and Australian researchers have found that green indocyanine, a dye approved in the US for use in medical imaging, appears to block the toxic effects of α-amanitin.

In laboratory tests on mice as well as human cell lines, scientists found that green indocyanine was able to prevent liver and kidney damage caused by α-amanitin. It also increased the chances of survival after being poisoned.

A fungus expert and Chief Scientist at Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens, who was not involved in the study, said palecaps are “extremely dangerous and toxic” and are often confused with other mushrooms due to their superficial resemblance.

“In these early stages, it can be quite difficult to tell mushrooms apart,” he said. “They are connected to the roots of an oak tree, so if you see something under an oak tree, you need to be careful and suspicious.”