Are dried wild mushrooms poisonous

Whether dried wild mushrooms are toxic depends on the specific variety, and some wild mushrooms may still contain toxins after being dried. The toxins in poisonous mushrooms are usually resistant to high temperatures and have stable properties. Ordinary sun drying or cooking is difficult to completely destroy their toxicity. There are many types of wild mushrooms, with over 400 known poisonous mushrooms in China. Among them, highly toxic species such as Amanita and Fusarium remain active even after sun drying. These toxins may damage the liver, kidneys, or nervous system, and ingestion can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, hallucinations, and even coma. After drying, some poisonous mushrooms have a similar appearance to edible mushrooms, which is difficult to distinguish based solely on experience. Some edible wild mushrooms, such as common shiitake mushrooms and matsutake mushrooms, are indeed non-toxic after sun drying. However, it should be noted that even edible varieties may produce secondary toxins if the collection environment is contaminated or stored improperly and moldy. The methods of silver needle toxicity testing and color identification that are widely circulated among the people lack scientific basis and cannot accurately determine toxicity.

It is recommended to avoid self consumption of wild mushrooms and choose dried edible mushrooms from legitimate channels when purchasing. If you experience discomfort after ingesting poisonous mushrooms, you should immediately bring the remaining samples for medical treatment and do not delay treatment. Prioritize the use of artificially cultivated mushroom varieties in daily diet to ensure safety, while also paying attention to proper storage to avoid mold growth.