Wormseed - Epazote
(CHENOPODIUM AMBROSIOIDES L)
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Ascaridol is rather an uncommon constituent of spices;
another plant owing much of its character to this monoterpene peroxide is boldo.
Origin: The plant is indigenous in Central and Southern Mexico, but is
today a common neophyte in Europe and the U.S.
Etymology: The English
genus name, goose-foot, is a translation of the scientific genus name
Chenopodium: Greek che?n "goose" and po?s "foot"; it is motivated by the the
three-lobed leaf shape characteristic of several plants belonging to this group.
Mexican origin or association with missionary orders (e.g., the Jesuits) gave
rise to several of the popular names in English and German. A very closely
related variety (var. anthelmitica) is cultivated in the Southern States
of the US for its potency against intestinal worms; thus the name wormseed for
the plant. To prevent confusion, the variety used in the kitchen (var.
ambrosioides) is usually called epazote in English. This name is taken from
Nahuatl, the tongue spoken by the Aztecs before the arrival of the Spanish; it
is still a minority language in Mexico and in use among the Indios living around
Mexico City. The name is due to the strong smell of the herb, which many find
disagreeable (epatl "skunk" and tzotl "sweat").
Epazote (flowering tip) Epazote's strong taste is characteristic of the Mayan cuisine in the South of Mexico and Guatemala. Center of epazote usage in Mexico is the Yucatan peninsula. The herb is used fresh in soups, salads and meat dishes; it appears in the recipe for mole verde, a Mexican herb sauce (see Mexican pepper-leaf). The most common usage is, however, in bean dishes, especially Mexican refried black beans (frijoles refritos). These are basically pinto beans, which are cooked with epazote and other spices (garlic, onion, cumin and dried Mexican chiles and/or paprika). After cooking, they are fried in some pig lard until a smooth puree. Refried beans are often served in Tex-Mex-style restaurants. The dried herb is considered inferior to the fresh one, but outside Central America and the southern parts of the US, fresh epazote may be hard to find. A common substitute are coriander or long coriander leaves, even in Mexico.
Aztec Use of Epazote
Augments the
secretion of all intestinal glands, increases bile, favors the
expulsion of intestinal parasites and favors menstruation.
CAUTION if pregnant or if hepatic or renal disease is
present!
May be used even if pregnant in small amounts with food
since only half a leaf is used for a pound of beans.
Aztec Method of Use
Drink 1 cup on an
empty stomach for 3 to 4 days of the boiled mixture consisting of 5 grams of
stems and leaves to 1/2 liter of water.
Due to its
irritating properties due not take for too many days since it will provoke
Diahrrea and or colic.
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