As with many other wild herbs, the question arises with the Indian balsam: is it poisonous or edible? Or is this even a medicinal herb? The questions can all be answered with yes.
Both seeds and flowers of the Indian Balsam are edible
This may sound confusing at first, but is easy to explain. Both stems and leaves are rich in glycosides. Consuming the raw herb is therefore not beneficial to health. Larger amounts are toxic. Possible symptoms of poisoning are nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal cramps and dizziness.
The edible plant parts of the Indian balsam
The pretty flowers and seeds of the Indian Balsam are edible. You can use the flowers very well as an edible decoration for a cold buffet, salads or cheese platters. Frozen in small containers with water, you get decorative ice cubes for your summer punch.
Depending on the degree of ripeness, the seeds taste more or less nutty. The more mature they are, the more distinctive their taste. They contain a lot of oil and could even be used for oil extraction. However, this is relatively complex. Toasted in a pan without oil, the seeds will pop, much like popcorn. Then they taste like french fries.
How to collect Balsam seeds
The jumping herbs get their name from the seed pods that burst open at the slightest touch. They hurl their seeds several meters and can spread easily and very far, especially since the seeds remain germinable for many years. It is therefore important when collecting the seeds to avoid them jumping away.
The easiest way to do this is to carefully pull a large bag over the plant with the ripe seed pods. Then bend the plant slightly downwards and hold the bag tightly closed around the stem. As soon as you touch the balsam from the outside, the seed pods jump open and the seeds into the bag.
Edibility of the plant parts:
- raw leaves slightly poisonous and not very tasty
- Seeds are edible, taste nutty (the riper, the nuttier)
- roasted seeds taste similar to french fries
- Flowers can be used as edible decoration or for ice cubes
tips
When roasted in a pan, the seeds of balsam live up to their name. They pop up like popcorn. Try it once!