I dentification and use of wild plants requires particular care and attention. Never eat any plant unless you are absolutely sure that it is edible. Carefully read the introduction to wild edibles in this book prior to harvesting the plants discussed. The information in this book is for educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The author and publisher and any of their counterparts assume no responsibility whatsoever for any adverse effects encountered by the individual. Because of food allergies, any person may experience a reaction to a plant that is known to be safe. By choosing to consume unfamiliar, new foods, the reader agrees to assume all risks and responsibilities. Please harvest wild edibles with care!
We live in a society that loves guarantees. In the field of foraging, however, nothing is 100 percent certain. The topic of wild edibles is one of controversy. There are many expert opinions about how foragers should conduct themselves, and often these experts contradict one another. In writing this book, I will likely share viewpoints that will disagree with others. The information in this book comes from countless hours of my own research and years of experimentation in the field. I believe in it wholeheartedly, but it is still largely my opinion. I urge you to question my words and develop your own protocol for how you forage. There are definite risks you will encounter when harvesting and eating wild food, but life is full of risks, and the benefits of edible flora greatly outweigh the dangers. I approve the message in this book and support readers who want to incorporate nature’s gifts into their lifestyle.