If you are uncertain if something is edible, and you have no other food sources, this test will help you determine if you can eat something safely. These are some main things about the text:
- Amount of time needed to conduct test: About 25 hours
- Prior to conducting this test, abstain from eating any food for at least 8 hours.
- Divide the plant into like parts. (Leaves, Stems, Roots, Buds, Flowers)
- You MUST only test one part at a time, and the results of the test will only apply to the part of the plant that you tested.
- If the sample passes a test step, move on to the next.
- Smell. Smell the potential food source. If you notice a strong, foul or acidic odor, discontinue the test and assume the item to be unsafe for humans.
- Feel. Place the potential food item on a sensitive area of your skin, such as the inside of your wrist of between your forearm and bicep. Before doing this, squeeze it between two fingers or mash it with a rock to release some of the inner fluid. Leave the sample there for at least 15 minutes. If you feel pain or discomfort or see irritation, stop testing that part and consider it inedible.
- Prepare. Prepare the section of food you are testing the way you plant to eat it. The best way to do this would be to boil it, but if this is not practical, you can cook it over a direct fire, dry it in the sun, or, in a worst case situation, eat it raw.
- Kiss. Squeeze the sample to release its natural juices, then hold it against the outside of your lip for 3 minutes to see if you feel burning or itching. If you do, discard the sample and do not eat it.
- Lick. Place the item on your tongue and do not chew or swallow it. Keep it there for at least 15 minutes. If you feel any burning, stinging or any other discomfort, spit it out immediately and discontinue the test of that item.
- Dip. Thoroughly chew the item being tested and place the wad of material between your lower lip and gum (like a dip of chewing tobacco). Keep it there for 15 minutes. If you feel any discomfort to your skin or in your stomach discontinue the test. Obviously, as in the previous steps, if you experience any adverse reactions, cease the test and clear your mouth completely of any residual materials.
- Swallow. Move the food material from your gum line and swallow it.
- Wait. After swallowing the test material, you should wait 8 hours to see if it causes you any discomfort, such as stomach pain, skin irritation or nausea. If you experience any of these signs, you should immediately begin to induce vomiting and drink plenty of water.
- Sample. Take 1/4 cup of the same item tested and prepare in the same manner as before and eat it. If you detect any adverse reactions, immediately induce vomiting and drink plenty of water.
- Wait. Wait an additional 8 hours to see if you have any of the aforementioned reactions or ill effects from the test item.
- Mangia! At this point, as long as you showed no signs of distress from any part of the test (other than hunger pangs), then you can assume that the portion of food that you tested is safe for consumption.
Source: Sidebar to the article “Bountiful Coasts: Find Everything You Need to Survive At The Seashore” by Brian M. Morris. American Survival Guide Vol 8 Issue 8, August, 2019.