Tag: Wild edibles safety

Figleaf goosefoot (Chenopodium ficifolium) contains toxic compounds like saponins, especially in larger quantities, which is a key consideration for anyone encountering this plant. Foragers, gardeners, and pet owners often wonder about its safety, given its similarities to other plants in the goosefoot family. This guide explores the nature of its toxicity, the factors that influence it, and safe handling practices.

Records show that wintergreen berries have been foraged and consumed for centuries by Native American tribes. The short answer to 'are wintergreen berries safe to eat?' is yes, in moderation, but only if you can correctly identify the *Gaultheria procumbens* species and its non-toxic berries, and avoid its poisonous lookalikes.

In 1960, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the use of sassafras and its volatile oil, safrole, as a food additive due to significant safety concerns. This action effectively makes consuming the sassafras root, which contains concentrated levels of safrole, a serious health risk and therefore not safely edible.