Plant of Concern

Symptoms of Illness

Cause of Problem

Directions for Safe Use

Raw, dried beans and lentils, e.g. red and white kidney beans, soybeans

Stomach upsets.

Lectins-destroyed by cooking at boiling temperature or sufficient heat/time.

Soak and cook according to package instructions.

Rhubarb leaves

Severe poisoning, kidney damage (may be fatal).

Oxalic acid and anthraquinones.

DO NOT EAT LEAVES.

Eat only stalks-raw or cooked.

Cassava

Breathing difficulties, staggering, paralysis (may be fatal) Long-term effect: goiter.

Contains substance that releases cyanide.

Follow traditional methods of preparation. DO NOT EAT RAW.

Peach, apple, cherry, plum, apricot seeds, shoots, and twigs

Breathing difficulties, staggering, paralysis (may be fatal) Long-term effect: goiter.

Contains substance that releases cyanide.

Eat only fleshy part and skin of fruit-raw or cooked.

Comfrey leaves (used as a vegetable)

Long-term concern: may cause cancer.

Toxic alkaloids.

DO NOT EAT.

Bracken fern

Loss of appetite, constipation, numbness. Also long-term concern: may cause cancer.

Thiaminase-substance that destroys thiamine (Vitamin B 1 ); unidentified carcinogen.

DO NOT EAT BRACKEN FERN. EAT ONLY OSTRICH FERN. (fiddleheads) Buy commercially.

Potato sprouts, vines, or green potato tubers

Bitter taste causes burning sensation in mouth, stomach upset, vomiting, headaches.

Solanine and other alkaloids concentrated: just beneath skin at "eyes" of tuber where green not destroyed by heat but can be reduced by peeling.

Eat tuber (potato) only; discard green portions.

Tonka bean

Long-term concern: may damage liver. Prohibited as a food additive.

Coumarin.

DO NOT EAT. Tonka bean is sometimes used instead of vanilla beans in inexpensive "vanilla" extracts sold in Mexico . Avoid use of bargain "vanilla" purchased in shops in Mexico .