Myth #1: Nightshades are highly poisonous, so tomato leaves must be poisonous too.
01.
These days, we know that while tomatoes belong to the (very large and diverse) nightshade family, they definitely aren’t of the deadly nightshade variety.
02.
All vegetables contain alkaloids. Alkaloids are part of a plant’s defense mechanisms and we consume them on a daily basis in various amounts.
Myth #3: Dogs have died eating tomato leaves, so they’re definitely poisonous.
03.
There are other foods we eat freely that are known to be poisonous to dogs, such as chocolate, grapes, raisins, garlic, and onions. But the substances that are harmful to dogs don’t do the same damage to humans.
Myth #4: Organic gardeners make tomato-leaf sprays to kill pests, so that must mean tomato leaves can kill us too.
04.
Unless you’re allergic to tomatoes, the tomatine in tomato-leaf sprays won’t harm you—and that’s why it’s used as an organic method of pest control.
Contrary to popular opinion, yes—tomato leaves are flavorful, fragrant, and 100 percent edible. You can cook the fresh, young leaves like most other sturdy garden greens, such as kale, collards, or cabbage.