Big Al,
Many books refer to certain ferns as having carcinogenic properties, suggesting that they should be eaten in moderation. Given that kind of advertising, and more significantly, the fact that I live in a grassland desert with very few ferns, I haven't worked with ferns.
Aside from that, most plants growing in soil contaminated with heavy metals will absorb the toxins, some more than others. Cattails have been used to extract heavy metals from contaminated
water, so keep that in mind when grazing on cattails near industrial sites.
On the other hand, keep in mind that fear is also a toxin.
Given a choice, I greatly prefer eating all natural, organic, roadkill venison. However, I do
feed my family non-organic
chicken,
beef, pepperoni pizza, etc. I eat what is available and in front of me, and I think that is healthier than imagining that every industrially produced steak or
apple is full of poison. Toxins are so pervasive in our air, water, and food supply, that even organic foods are increasingly questionable. Think healthy thoughts about whatever you eat. And no, that is not an endorsement to eat the ferns. Ferns are beyond my first-hand
experience.
I hope that helps!
Sincerely,
Thomas J. Elpel
http://www.GreenUniversity.com
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