Tag: Thujone poisoning

While sage is a staple culinary herb, some species, particularly common sage, contain a compound called thujone that can be toxic if consumed in high amounts. For most people, consuming culinary amounts of sage is considered safe. However, high doses, prolonged use, or ingesting concentrated forms like essential oils pose a significant health risk.

Historically, common tansy was used in small amounts as a flavoring agent and for medicinal purposes. Despite this history, eating common tansy is highly dangerous and toxic to humans due to the presence of thujone, a poisonous chemical.

Historically, various Native American communities have used parts of certain cedar species for food and medicine, but not all parts are safe for consumption. Before attempting to eat cedar, it is crucial to understand the distinct, and often toxic, differences between species and plant parts to avoid serious health risks.