Is Blood Leaf Edible? Separating Fact from Fiction

December 24, 2025 •

3 min read

Confusion often surrounds the edibility of plants, and blood leaf is no exception, with different species and preparations leading to conflicting information. This article clarifies whether blood leaf is edible, distinguishing between species and practices to ensure your safety.

Quick Summary

Clarification on the edibility of blood leaf (Iresine herbstii) and the separate species, Justicia carnea, and their uses. Covers safe consumption practices, medicinal applications, and toxicological considerations, emphasizing accurate plant identification.

Key Points

Identify the Species: The common name "blood leaf" can refer to multiple plants, most commonly Iresine herbstii and Justicia carnea, with different edibility and safety profiles.
Ornamental vs. Medicinal: The decorative Iresine herbstii should not be consumed, while the traditional medicinal Justicia carnea can be but requires specific preparation and dosage control.
Potential for Toxicity: While ornamental blood leaf is generally non-toxic, fresh leaves have shown potential hepatotoxic effects in some animal studies. High doses of medicinal blood leaf are known to be toxic.
Risk of Pesticides: Always assume that ornamental houseplants have been treated with chemicals unsuitable for human consumption.
Consult an Expert: Foraging or preparing medicinal plants requires expert knowledge. Never consume a plant based on a common name alone; verify with a botanical expert or reliable resources.

Understanding the 'Blood Leaf' Name

The term "blood leaf" can refer to several different plants, which is the primary source of confusion regarding their edibility. The most common ornamental houseplant is Iresine herbstii, also known as beefsteak plant or chicken gizzard. However, another plant, Justicia carnea, also bears the common name "blood leaf" and is used differently. Identifying the correct species is paramount before considering consumption.

Is Iresine Herbstii edible?

According to multiple sources, the leaves of Iresine herbstii are not considered toxic to humans or pets. In some traditional contexts, the leaves have been used for medicinal and culinary purposes, but modern sources often caution against consumption. The leaves have also been used as a food coloring. A key takeaway is that while it may not be outright poisonous, eating a plant primarily grown for ornamental purposes is generally not recommended due to potential side effects and unknown safety profiles of non-food-grade varieties.

Is Justicia Carnea edible?

Unlike Iresine herbstii, Justicia carnea is the species more commonly associated with consumption, particularly in some West African traditions. In Nigeria, it is used as a blood tonic to treat anemia, and the leaves are prepared by boiling. However, toxicity studies show that high concentrations can negatively impact vital organs, such as the liver and kidney, even if smaller, traditional doses are considered safe. This highlights the importance of proper preparation and dosage, which is crucial for herbal remedies.

Blood Leaf Toxicity: What the Science Says

Several scientific studies have investigated the toxicity of the plants commonly called blood leaf, revealing important distinctions and considerations.

Iresine herbstii: Acute toxicity studies on animals indicated a wide safety margin, showing no signs of acute toxicity or mortality even at high doses. This confirms its non-toxic status in controlled experiments. However, fresh leaf extract of I. herbstii showed hepatotoxicity (toxicity to the liver) in one animal study, while dried versions did not.
Justicia carnea: Acute and sub-acute toxicity studies on rats showed that while lower doses of methanolic leaf extract were relatively safe and had beneficial hematological effects, high doses were not. It was found to contain flavonoids and alkaloids, which were not harmful to the lungs and heart at safe concentrations but require caution regarding the dosage.

Important Considerations for Edible vs. Ornamental Blood Leaf

Before consuming any plant, especially one with known dual-use potential, several factors must be considered:

Cultivar Variations: Different cultivars of ornamental plants can have varying chemical compositions. While a wild or traditional variety may be safe, a cultivated version could have different properties.
Preparation Method: The traditional preparation of boiling leaves may neutralize certain compounds or reduce potency. Eating the plant raw might yield different results.
Pesticide Exposure: Ornamental plants are often treated with pesticides that are not safe for human consumption.

Comparison of Common Blood Leaf Varieties


Aspect	Iresine herbstii (Ornamental)	Justicia carnea (Traditional Medicinal)
Common Names	Beefsteak Plant, Chicken Gizzard	Ewe Ajeri (Yoruba), Obara (Igbo), Hospital Too Far Leaves
Primary Use	Ornamental foliage for landscaping and houseplants	Traditional herbal remedy for anemia and other ailments
Edibility	Not considered edible by most modern sources; historically used for colorant and topically	Edible when properly prepared and consumed in controlled doses
Toxicity Risk	Generally considered non-toxic to humans and pets, but fresh leaves might have hepatotoxic effects in animal studies	Relatively safe at traditional doses, but high concentrations can be toxic to liver and kidneys
Preparation	Used for food coloring; fresh leaves and stems historically used externally	Leaves are boiled in water; sometimes milk is added

Conclusion: Caution is Key

The question of "is blood leaf edible" is not a simple yes or no, but rather depends on the specific plant species and its preparation. The ornamental Iresine herbstii is generally considered non-toxic, but should not be consumed, especially since modern ornamental varieties are not bred for consumption and may be treated with harmful pesticides. The medicinal Justicia carnea is consumed traditionally, but requires careful identification, specific preparation, and dosage awareness due to potential organ toxicity at high concentrations. For foraging and plant consumption, always prioritize safety by seeking advice from a botanical or herbal expert and confirming identification with reliable resources like the ASPCA. Do not risk your health with unverified or uncertain plant sources.

Authoritative Link

For more information on non-toxic plants for pets, including Iresine herbstii, consult the ASPCA's official resource: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/bloodleaf

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the ornamental houseplant Iresine herbstii is not safe to eat, though it is generally not considered toxic. Its safety for human consumption is not guaranteed, especially since it may have been treated with non-food-safe pesticides.

You should not eat a garden-grown blood leaf unless you can definitively identify it as an edible, traditionally prepared variety like Justicia carnea and are certain it has not been treated with any chemical pesticides or fertilizers unsafe for consumption.

No, the common name 'blood leaf' can refer to different species, most notably the ornamental Iresine herbstii and the traditional medicinal Justicia carnea, which have different properties and uses.

Common names can be misleading. Different plants can share the same common name, and their toxicity and edibility can vary significantly. Accurate scientific identification is crucial for safety.

While the ornamental Iresine herbstii has shown a wide margin of safety in animal studies, one study indicated potential liver toxicity with fresh extracts. Conversely, high doses of the medicinal Justicia carnea have been shown to be toxic to the liver and kidneys.

In some West African traditions, the leaves of Justicia carnea are boiled and consumed as a blood tonic to treat anemia and replenish blood levels, particularly after menstruation.

The ASPCA lists the ornamental blood leaf (Iresine herbstii) as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. However, pet owners should still prevent pets from chewing on or ingesting large quantities of any houseplant.