Warning as people are told to avoid licking a fungus to absorb the ‘sexy’ growth’s ‘Viagra-like powers’ because it contains toxic chemicals
- Lichen can grow in areas with lots of roads and pavements
- It can grow in areas with lots of heavy metals, such as cities or residential areas
- This means it contains high levels of copper, lead, and zinc, which is toxic
- People are warned not to lick it in the belief it will cure erectile dysfunction
Experts have warned people to not to lick ‘sexy pavement lichen’ that supposedly acts as a natural Viagra because it contains toxic chemicals.
Lichen is a fungus that grows in forests and on roads and pavements all across the world, with a large abundance of the organism appearing in New Zealand.
The growth contains high levels of copper, lead and zinc, and people have taken to licking it due to a belief that it provides the same benefits as erectile dysfunction drugs.
Experts have said the claims are inconclusive and that licking the organism could be dangerous.
Lichen grows in forests and on roads and pavements all across the world, with a large abundance of the organism appearing in New Zealand
Thousands of tonnes of ground-up lichen are legally available to buy and it is extremely popular on the online Chinese marketplace Alibaba.
Lichenologist Dr Allison Knight called the growth ‘sexy footpath lichen’ during a public speech while describing its popularity for treating erectile dysfunction.
‘This lichen contains a chemical somewhat analogous to Viagra – and somewhat toxic. I always say in my talks that I don’t recommend going out and licking the footpath,’ Dr Knight told Newsroom.
Lichen can be purchased online on Alibaba in 25kg drums for up to $122 a kg.
Some suppliers promise to send buyers a staggering 10 tonnes of the growth every month.
Dr Knight said analysis of one of the products sold online carried out by an Australian lichen expert found that it was 80 per cent Viagra and 20 per cent grass clippings.
The growth contains high levels of copper, lead and zinc, and people have taken to licking it due to a belief that it provides the same benefits as erectile dysfunction drugs. Experts have said the claims are inconclusive and that licking the organism could be dangerous