Chenopodium ambrosioides

Chenopodium ambrosioides, also known as epazote, wormseed, Mexican tea, and American wormseed, is a species of flowering plant in the Amaranthaceae family. It is native to Central and South America but has been naturalized worldwide, including in Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America.

Description[edit | edit source]

Chenopodium ambrosioides is an annual or short-lived perennial herb, growing up to 1.2 meters tall. The leaves are 3-7 cm long and 2-4 cm broad, with a serrated margin. The flowers are small and green, produced in a branched panicle at the apex of the stem.

Cultivation and uses[edit | edit source]

Chenopodium ambrosioides is cultivated as a leaf vegetable, herb, and medicinal plant. It has a strong, musky aroma and flavor that is likened to oregano and fennel. It is a common ingredient in Mexican and Caribbean cuisine, where it is used in dishes such as black beans and mole sauce.

In traditional medicine, Chenopodium ambrosioides has been used as an anthelmintic to expel parasitic worms. It has also been used in the treatment of asthma, dysentery, and cramps.

Toxicity[edit | edit source]

Despite its uses in food and medicine, Chenopodium ambrosioides contains compounds that can be toxic in large amounts. The essential oil of the plant, which contains the compound ascaridole, can cause liver damage and is potentially carcinogenic.