Agaricus muscarius

A bright red, white-spotted hallucinogenic mushroom found in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere; traditionally known for its toxic and mind-altering properties due to the presence of muscarine, muscimol, and ibotenic acid.

Used in traditional Siberian shamanic rituals for its psychotropic effects. Historically used externally to kill flies (hence the name) by placing the mushroom in milk.

Proved by Dr. Stapf under Hahnemann’s direction; published in Materia Medica Pura. Also noted for its toxicological effects observed in accidental poisonings.

• Central Nervous System – spasms, twitching, tremors, chorea, jerking
• Skin and circulation – chilliness, prickling, burning, frostbite
• Spinal cord – motor incoordination, ataxia, myelitis
• Mind and perception – delirium, confusion, anxiety, hallucinations
• Extremities – twitching, weakness, trembling, formication
• Eyes and vision – flickering, photophobia, oscillating movements

• Gentle motion (e.g. walking slowly)
• Lying on back (some headaches and spasms)
• Cold, open air (some mental symptoms)
• Sleep
• Eating (some nervous symptoms improve)

• Cold, damp weather (especially snow and fog)
• Before a storm or atmospheric change
• Touch (very sensitive to even light pressure)
• After sleep (confusion, twitching)
• During menstruation
• Pressure (on spine or affected limbs)
• Strong emotions or mental exertion

• Zincum metallicum – Both have twitching and restlessness, but Zinc has more mental dullness and relief from motion
• Tarentula hispanica – Hysterical, choreic patients, but more violence, destructiveness, and rapidity
• Hyoscyamus – Hysteria and spasms, but more lascivious and shameless behaviour
• Belladonna – Sudden spasms and heat, but less erratic and more intense congestion
• Stramonium – Hallucinations and fear, but more violent and terror-filled

• Complementary: Belladonna, Phosphorus
• Antidotes: Camphora, Nux vomica
• Follows well: Opium, Zincum
• Precedes well: Secale, Lachesis

Agaricus muscarius embodies the chaotic disarray of the nervous system, both physically and mentally. Its signature is twitching, jerking, and mental unreliability—reflecting overstimulation, intoxication, and loss of control. Suited for those with unstable perceptions, heightened sensitivity, and wild alternations between states—pleasure and pain, heat and cold, euphoria and despair. It is invaluable in chorea, epilepsy, frostbite, hysteria, and delirium, especially when accompanied by nervous irritability, disordered motion, and sensory confusion.

• Key remedy in chorea, especially post-viral or hysterical in nature
• Used in frostbite and chilblains with burning, itching, and stinging
• Excellent for twitching, tremors, and spasms after nervous strain
• Consider in pre-epileptic aura or post-seizure weakness
• Useful in early-stage multiple sclerosis or spinal myelitis

Mind

• Delusions, sees people small or distant
• Laughing at serious matters
• Hysteria, twitching, chorea
• Fear of insanity

Head

• Coldness, burning spots
• Trembling of head
• Itching of scalp

Extremities

• Twitching, jerking, chorea
• Numbness and tingling
• Frostbite, chilblains

Skin

• Itching, worse from scratching
• Burning, prickling
• Chilblains, frostbite

Generalities

• Worse before a storm
• Worse cold, damp weather
• Better from motion

Samuel Hahnemann – Materia Medica Pura: Core proving data including twitching, mental symptoms, and tremors

C. Hering – Guiding Symptoms: Provided insight into spinal, skin, and frostbite use

T.F. Allen – Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica: Detailed toxicological accounts and rare symptoms

William Boericke – Pocket Manual: Practical clinical tips and concise remedy picture

John Henry Clarke – Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica: Described peculiar mental states and erratic expressions