Want to be able tell which plants you can eat, and which will make you sick? Whether you live in the city or the countryside, it is possible to forage for your own food once you know how to avoid poisonous flora. Learning how to find edible plants can help you survive in the wild, or get through a disaster. It can also be fun to nibble on plants, and discover different flavors around your neighborhood.
Disclaimer
The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor before using the information presented here.
Want to be able tell which plants you can eat, and which will make you sick? Whether you live in the city or the countryside, it is possible to forage for your own food once you know how to avoid poisonous flora. Learning how to find edible plants can help you survive in the wild, or get through a disaster. It can also be fun to nibble on plants, and discover different flavors around your neighborhood.
Disclaimer
The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor before using the information presented here.
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Introduction
- Once you know how to determine edible plants from poisonous ones, you will no longer have to rely on store-bought foods for survival. This can come in handy if there is a disaster, or if you get lost while hiking or camping. It can also be fun to taste different plants in your neighborhood. You never know, you may stumble upon a new delicacy that can be used for cooking, or topping your salads.
Step 1: Research
Before you go eating foliage, check out a field guide on edible flora. You may want to start with a book or website devoted specifically to your region, so that you have a good chance of finding the plants. Pay close attention to the shape, color and texture of the plants, as many different species look similar at first. Here are some online guides to check out:
(Creative Commons photo by B&M Photography)
Step 2: Test
- You should always do some testing before eating, to make sure the plant is not toxic.
- Rub the plant on your skin to see if any irritation occurs. If your skin tingles or burns, leave the plant alone.
- Place a small piece of the plant onto your lips. Hold for a couple of minutes, and if you feel any tingling or burning, do not eat.
- Place a tiny piece onto your tongue for around 15 minutes. If you sense any reaction, immediately spit it out.
- Chew a bit of the plant for around 15 minutes without swallowing. If a reaction occurs, promptly spit it out.
- Swallow a tiny amount.
- Wait at least 8 hours.
- If you do not feel sick, eat a slightly larger amount of the plant.
- Wait another 8 hours.
- If you do not have any adverse reactions, the plant is probably safe to eat.
- Note that some plants become nontoxic when cooked. You may need to test some samples in both their raw and heated form.
Step 3: Use Caution
Never, ever eat a strange plant unless you can positively identify it with no doubt whatsoever. Some poisonous plants may closely resemble their edible cousins. If you are not sure, just let it be. No snack is worth a trip to the doctor's office, or worse.
Also, be sure to wash any plants you find growing in residential or urban areas before ingesting. Pesticides are commonly used in cities or yards, and it is impossible to tell whether or not a plant has been sprayed. Your health should always be your number one concern.
Conclusion
If you know how to find plants suitable for digestion, you will have an advantage in emergency situations when commercial food is unavailable. If you do a lot of camping or hiking, learning to find edible flora may be well worth your time. Do your research, and always test a new plant before consuming. It may take a while to learn a significant number of edibles, but it is certainly useful knowledge that could end up saving your life one day.
