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Ethnomycology and Fungiphobia 

9/14/2012

2 Comments

 
The study of how people interact with their environments is a fascinating field in which the interplay of traditional ecological knowledge, environmental psychology, and justice are explored. Although ethnobotany is relatively well-covered ground in scientific literature, ethnomycology still quite unchartered territory. Scholarly articles on the traditional uses of fungi as food, medicine, and ceremonial usage of hallucinogenic mushrooms have focused mostly on indigenous tribes in developing nations. Fascinating accounts have been made on the usage of psychoactive Psilocybe in Thailand (Gartz, 1994), the collection of on average the 8 species of edible mushrooms by Igbo women and children in Nigeria (Akpaja,, 2003), and the mysticisms associated with the infamous Amanita muscaria in a number of Latin America, Hindu, and even Roman culture (Lowy, 1974).  Considering that fungi have be used in a myriad of ways, such as fermenting alcohol, in recipes, as medicines, in many countries for such a long time, it is interesting that some cultures literally fear mushrooms. ‘Fungiphobia’ is a fascinating phenomenon that primarily plagues the United States and Great Britain. The fear of fungi primarily stems from the caution against consuming poisonous wild mushrooms, such as the Fly Agaraics. But upon further investigation we find that the death toll associated with mushroom poisoning is extremely low. In North American in 2009, there were 8 deaths caused by mushroom poisoning, 4 of those deaths were recorded in dogs (NAMA). Furthermore, of the 10,000 described species of mushrooms, roughly 400 species are poisonous, and of those, only 20 are common! Thus the consumption of poisonous mushrooms could be easily avoided with increased knowledge of mushroom identification. A number of European countries like Italy and France are quite ‘fungiphillic’ and appreciates a wide diversity of wild collected mushrooms in cooking. In the U.S. commercial production of mushrooms utilizes very few species. In fact, the three most highly produced mushrooms are all varieties of the same species, Agaricus bisporus, the button mushroom, AKA portabella and crimini. It is clear that a number of bioculutral services could be gained by setting aside our fungiphobia and delving embracing ethnomycology, if only to spice up our meals.

Iman Sylvain
2 Comments
cure for snoring link
9/17/2013 08:25:10 pm

There are so many micro organisms in the world that actually helps that mankind and the entire world. Most of us are not aware of these. It is good to know about ethnomycology and fungiphobia and it is a new knowledge for me.

Reply
Brian Akers
3/22/2014 04:29:56 am

As a term to describe traditional Anglo folk pattern (compared with mycophilic cultures), 'fungiphobia' is reasonable.

But the perspective offered above about it - that it 'plagues' (USA and UK, 'primarily) - is troubling. NAMA documented only 8 deaths in 2009 by mushroom poisoning in N. America - where mycophobia prevails.

Its no coincidence. Nor does it reflect on mycophobia as some dysfunctional, irrational fear needing to be 'korrected' - by rebuke of attitudes, or a subcultural crusade to 'enlighten'-fix society in the name of mushrooms, using them as its banner.

You'll find a significantly higher rate of mushroom poisonings where mycophilia reigns. From mild to severe including permanent debility (liver, kidneys etc) and serious death, we have a markedly lower rate of such morbidity in USA. Connect the dots.

To breezily reassure readers that "consumption of poisonous mushrooms could be easily avoided with increased knowledge of mushroom identification" is, with due respect, ridiculous. Its neither supported by any evidence - nor is it remotely conscientious. Even specialists have difficulty identifying many mushrooms we encounter out there.

Its one thing for hobbyists or laymen to promote such reckless defiance of reality about mushroom poisoning risks. For anyone in a position of educational authority and responsibility to offer a defiantly cheerful denial of issue - talking about how 'easily avoided' - raises more serious issues of ethical sense and sanity. Those prone to being eagerly swept away by such giddy enticement - 'mushroom hippies' etc - are precisely the folks most likely to suffer dire consequences.

The 'fear' of wild mushrooms culturally conveyed in mycophobia is perhaps best understood as a form of respect for nature - a sadder but wiser sensibility. However irrational it might be perceived or portrayed by anyone lamenting it, I recommend finding something good to say about mycophobia.

Going through life without savoring the wild parasol mushroom, or blewits etc - isn't a disaster. And there are more ways to appreciate fungi than "can you eat it?", e.g., their ecological roles. Even more perhaps, their aesthetic horror value as symbols of death and decay and everything rotten in the world - enriching our narrative cycles and poetry to an extraordinary degree.

Without the chill shudder of mushrooms, we wouldn't have HP Lovecraft, FUNGI FROM YUGGOTH etc - and many more treasures of arts, entertainment and narrative (how about ATTACK OF THE MUSHROOM PEOPLE?). What contribution has mycophilia ever made to our horror fiction, ghost stories and etc?

I like mushrooms of all kinds as much as the next guy, maybe more. Nothing against digging fungi, and I do. But in all reason, sanity and sense - I find nothing whatsoever wrong with mycophobia, in the least.

But I can criticize preaching against it, as if something wrong with it. Such criticism isn't thoughtful. It ought to stop and reflect - maybe even quit bad-rapping mycophobia. Find something nice to say about it. Maybe bring down the bad rap, drum-beating hyperbole about how it 'plagues' USA and UK - to about a 6 or 7?

A little knowledge, famously, can be a dangerous thing. In USA how many have NOT been poisoned, including to death - thanks to mycophobia. Its main cultural function, besides bumming out 'mushroom hippies' - is as a deterrent to inadequate expertise, folks taking needless chances.

Mycophobia doesn't 'plague' nor is it some kind of problem needing to be fixed. Lack of authentic values and ethical principle may plague our society - perhaps that's the reflection.

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