Western Herbalism
Epazote
Dysphania ambrosioides
Also known as Mexican Tea, Paico.
Historically listed in US Pharmacopoeia as anthelmintic essential oil highly toxic and no longer recommended for internal use primarily traditional use in Latin American herbalism for parasites and digestion culinary use safe for reducing flatulence from beans
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Indications what the tradition reached for it in
- Gout
- Excess mucus
- Flatulence
- Bronchitis
- Asthma
- Abdominal cramps
- Nervous conditions
- Tapeworms
- Gas
- Cough
- Amebas
- Hookworm
- Diarrhea
- Intestinal parasites
- Roundworms
- Dysentery
- Hemorrhoids
- Bloating
- Menstrual problems
- Indigestion
- Abdominal distension
- Colic
- Cramps
- Digestive discomfort
- Fungal infections
- Intestinal worms
- Muscle spasms
- Pain
- Parasites
- Respiratory congestion
Safety
Low dose botanical. Used in drop doses in the classical practice; not a plant to dose freely.
Pregnancy: Pregnancy Caution
Breastfeeding: lactation
The record lists 4 contraindications; open the plate in the library to read them in full.
Dosing as the sources wrote it
| Preparation | As written | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Dried leaf tea: 1-2 g (1 tsp) in 200-300 ml water, steep 10 min, 2-3x daily after meals for up to 5-7 days | 1000-2000 mg | |
| Decoction | Decoction (leaves): 1/2 cup (125-250 ml) 1-3x daily |
Doses are reproduced from the sources for practitioners and are not a recommendation for any person.
From the sources
Clinical Notes. Historically listed in US Pharmacopoeia as anthelmintic essential oil highly toxic and no longer recommended for internal use primarily traditional use in Latin American herbalism for parasites and digestion culinary use safe for reducing flatulence from beans
indications. Epazote is traditionally indicated for: Gout, Excess mucus, Flatulence, Bronchitis, Asthma, Abdominal cramps, Nervous conditions, Tapeworms, Gas, Cough, Amebas, Hookworm, Diarrhea, Intestinal parasites, Roundworms, and 21 further conditions.
dose-reference. Reference preparation/dosing for Epazote: Dried leaf tea: 1-2 g (1 tsp) in 200-300 ml water, steep 10 min, 2-3x daily after meals for up to 5-7 days; Decoction (leaves): 1/2 cup (125-250 ml) 1-3x daily; Culinary: fresh/dried leaves added to beans, soups
safety-cautions. Epazote - Contraindications: Pregnancy, lactation, liver impairment, CYP450-metabolized drugs (e.g. anticoagulants, anticonvulsants | Side effects: Nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, convulsions, dermatitis, tinnitus, ototoxicity | Safety flags: not considered safe in pregnancy; not considered safe during lactation; low-dose / narrow therapeutic window (use caution).
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