Can you eat cotton leaves? The definitive guide to safety and nutrition
                                
                                
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                                    4 min read                                
                            
                                The cotton plant (Gossypium spp.) contains a naturally occurring, poisonous compound called gossypol, which is found throughout the plant, including the leaves. This makes the question 'Can you eat cotton leaves?' not just ill-advised, but dangerous, with potentially severe health consequences for humans.