Introduction

Choose your tree. For example, Acer Rubrum is a tree native North America commonly called the red maple - and is the most common tree.

Safety

Follow standard safety procedure and attire.

Equipment or Bill of Materials

1. 10 g. of Leaves
2. Sieve
3. 50 mL. distilled water (or tap water)
4. heating element
5. pot
6. blender
7. cheesecloth
8. glass jar

Operation & Procedure

1. Identify and obtain leaves.
2. Blend leaves into fine pulp.
3. Wrap leaf grounds in cheesecloth.
4. Place wrapped leaves in rapidly boiling water, boil for five minutes.
5. Remove leaves, and use sieve to strain while pressing cheesecloth.
6. Collect skimmed concentrate in a clean glass container and store in cool place.

Screening for toxicity

• Chemical hazards data - OpenFoodTox -- When evaluating the safety of chemicals, scientists determine if and how they may be hazardous for humans, animals and/or the environment. They seek to identify critical health effects for these populations, the amount of the substance likely to trigger the effects, and then where possible establish a safe level.
• Compendium of Botanicals- EFSA’s Compendium of Botanicals is a database of botanicals that are reported to contain naturally occurring substances of possible concern for human health when present in food.

References

• http://web.archive.org/web/20181010022841/http://www.leafforlife.org:80/PAGES/MAKINGLC.HTM
• https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/data/compendium-botanicals