Beach pea (Lathyrus japonicus)
What are the risks? Contains compounds that have caused motor neuron degeneration and bone deformities in animal studies
How is it eaten? As a cake decoration
Borage (Borago officinalis)
What are the risks? Compounds have been linked to liver, genetic and developmental toxicities, as well as cancer, in animal studies.
People are even reported to have died after eating crops contaminated with these substances
How is it eaten? The flower is consumed in salads, as a spice or a snack. Its nectar has also been used as a sweetener
Common broom (Cytisus scoparius)
What are the risks? Contains substances that can cause nausea, vomiting, sweating, high blood pressure, headache, unconsciousness and even death
How is it eaten? As a cake decoration
Common bugloss (Anchusa officinalis)
What are the risks? Same as borage
How is it eaten? As a tea
Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium)
What are the risks? Compounds can cause ‘oral toxicities’ unless inactivated by heat.
Has also changed the size of animals’ organs and tissues when they are exposed in the lab
How is it eaten? Traditionally as a bread additive
Garden nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
What are the risks? Contains substances that alter hormone levels in rats and cause foetal damage in pregnant rodents, including low birth weights
How is it eaten? As a decoration in salads
Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
What are the risks? Made up of compounds that have caused a reduced body weight and appetite in rats, as well as inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity
Have also led to low-birth weights in rodents
How is it eaten? In salads
Heart’s ease (Viola tricolor)
What are the risks? Compound caused hemolytic anaemia – the breakdown of red blood cells – in a nine-month-old baby in Iran. This was blamed on a hereditary condition.
It also contains compounds that may irritate asthmatics
How is it eaten? In salads
Pot marigold (Calendula officinalis)
What are the risks? Contains compounds that cause DNA damage and liver inflammation in the lab.
Pregnant rats have also shown signs of toxicity when exposed to these substances during the early stages of gestation
How is it eaten? Its flowers are added to salads
Signet marigold (Tagetes tenuifolia)
What are the risks? It is made up of substances that cause ‘oral toxicity’ when given to rats. These complications were not described further in the research
How is it eaten? As a cake decoration
Viper’s bugloss (Echium vulgare)
What are the risks? Same as borage and common bugloss
How is it eaten? As a cake decoration
White dead nettle (Lamium album)
What are the risks? Contains compounds that caused genetic abnormalities in the lab and have been linked to cancer in humans
How is it eaten? Its flowers can be consumed as a snack; leaves and shoots are often added to Mediterranean dishes; nectar as a sweetener
Wild carrot (Daucus carota)
What are the risks? Contains a substance that has been classified as being potentially cancer-causing in humans
How is it eaten? The flower head is often consumed raw or lightly battered. Its seeds are also sometimes added to soups and stews or used to flavour teas
Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
What are the risks? Contains compounds that was once used as a drug. Was banned after it caused liver toxicities in people with certain immune-system abnormalities
How is it eaten? As a flavouring in wine; in jellies, ice creams, sorbets and salads
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
What are the risks? Contains essential oils that cause the death of reproductive cells, as well as bleeding and other complications in the testicles of rodents.
Also contains the compound thujone, which is found in abstinthe
How is it eaten? Added to soups and salads; the flowers and stalks are given to children as snacks; drank as a tea
Yellow archangel (Lamium galeobdolon)
What are the risks? Contains compounds that have been linked to DNA damage in the lab
How is it eaten? Nectar is used as a sweetener