Yes! it's safe and edible. Gold leaf is made by pounding the metal into thin sheets.

Gold is known as the King of metals because of the different properties it has and versitility.

Element Au, atomic number 79

Notable facts:
West Africa was one of the biggest suppliers of gold in the middle ages.

"Ghana Empire (6-13th century CE), located in modern-day southern Mauritania and Mali. The empire became famous for its gold, earning itself the nickname the ‘land of gold."

Earliest known transaction/money usage using gold dates back about 6000 years ago.

Medicinal uses:
Known to strengthen immunity, destroy bacteria, and disinfect.
Gold compounds used in cancer treatment drungs.
The earliest treatment of rheumatoid arthritis was gold therapy.
Taken in India in the form of a powder tablet to rejuvenate the body.