Triangle Orache (Atriplex prostrata) grows all over the US and other parts of the world. There are no toxic plants in the Atriplex genus. Atriplex is in the same family (Amaranthaceae) as the more commonly known wild edible, Lamb's Quarters.
The young, tender leaves are delicious and salty, which is where it gets the nickname "Saltbush." Those little leaves never make it to the house to be used in a salad because I eat them right off the plant. The older leaves are tougher and bitter, but they are still OK to use in small amounts as a pot herb, in a mix of sauteed greens, or as part of a green powder.
Like spinach, the older leaves of Atriplex are high in oxalates, so consuming them with calcium will help prevent absorption. I use stinging and wood nettles, which are very high in calcium, in my green powder mixes to reduce the amount of free oxalates. One could add cheese to a soup or salad to help bind the oxalates.
Atriplex is a good source of Vitamins A and C, magnesium, iron, and calcium. My notes do not have a lot of medicinal information on this plant. I have PDFs of very old herbal texts showing, it has been used to treat digestive and kidney ailments, purify the blood, and has been used externally for bug bites, stings, tumors, etc. What I see is that it has been used mainly for food for humans and livestock.
Like spinach, the older leaves of Atriplex are high in oxalates, so consuming them with calcium will help prevent absorption. I use stinging and wood nettles, which are very high in calcium, in my green powder mixes to reduce the amount of free oxalates. One could add cheese to a soup or salad to help bind the oxalates.
Atriplex is a good source of Vitamins A and C, magnesium, iron, and calcium. My notes do not have a lot of medicinal information on this plant. I have PDFs of very old herbal texts showing, it has been used to treat digestive and kidney ailments, purify the blood, and has been used externally for bug bites, stings, tumors, etc. What I see is that it has been used mainly for food for humans and livestock.
I have been studying and practicing herbal medicine and foraging for wild edibles since the early 1990s. My herbal education blends extensive self-directed study with formal training through two herbal schools, complemented by numerous classes and active engagement within the online herbal community. As a clinical herbalist and herbal educator, it is my joy and calling to help others discover the many benefits of the plants growing right beneath our feet. I encourage everyone to do their own research and always check for contraindications. -Wendy aka Wendy2Bear aka Mama Asbell
