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Herbs & Cultures
Image of Mexican tea

Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 460

Dysphania ambrosioides (syn. Chenopodium ambrosioides)

Region
Central America and the Caribbean
Origin
Mexico, Central and South America; now naturalised throughout the tropics
Sanskrit
Sugandhavastuk
Other names
Mexicaanse thee, Welriekende ganzenvoet
Traditions
Ayurveda, Curanderismo, Kallawaya healing knowledge, Mapuche medicine
4 traditionsImage: Pau Pámies Grácia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Herb · Central America and the Caribbean

Mexican tea

Dysphania ambrosioides (syn. Chenopodium ambrosioides)

A strong-smelling culinary herb traditionally used against intestinal worms and wind. The essential oil contains ascaridole, which kills worms but is also toxic to humans.

Safety notes

The oil (chenopodium or wormseed oil) is toxic and has caused fatal poisonings: do not take it internally yourself. Do not use the herb in large amounts or during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Traditional use is no proof of effect; consult a doctor or pharmacist if you take medication or have a medical condition.

Cautions by tradition (2)
  • Ayurvedic materia medica: Do not take the oil internally yourself.
  • Kallawaya healing in Bolivia: The plant's oil (ascaridole) is toxic to the liver, kidneys and nerves.

Preparation

Fresh in dishes, especially with black beans; as tea only in small amounts. Do not use the oil yourself.

Use in traditions

Epazote, from the Nahuatl epazotl, is one of the best-known herbs of Mexican cooking and curanderismo; it is also called wormseed or Mexican tea. It is used as a culinary herb and a dewormer. In Chile it is called paico; the Mapuche call it picheñ and drink it for stomach ache and digestive complaints. Oil from the plant (chenopodium oil) was an official remedy against roundworms and hookworms until the mid-20th century, but was abandoned because it caused fatal poisonings. Sanskrit name: Sugandhavastuk.

Applications

Use by tradition

How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.

Ayurvedic materia medica

Attributed effects

Expels worms; oil against intestinal parasites, roundworms and hookworms, amoebic dysentery.

Caution: Do not take the oil internally yourself.

Ways to prepare herbs
Tea (infusion)Powder and kitchen
All herbs from Central America and the Caribbean →