Chenopodium ambrosioides vs Lai Fu Zi Digestive

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Chenopodium ambrosioides

Digestive

Raphanus sativus (seed)

Digestive

Chenopodium ambrosioides

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Lai Fu Zi Digestive

✅ Generally safe in pregnancy

✅ Generally safe while nursing

Description

Aromatic annual herb from Central America widely used as culinary herb and vermifuge across Latin America.

TCM seed that descends qi and resolves food stagnation.

Active Compounds

ascaridole, p-cymene, limonene, flavonoids, terpenes

Sinapine, Glucosinolates, Erucic acid, Volatile oils

Traditional Uses

Traditional anthelmintic used throughout Mesoamerica and South America, Also used as culinary herb for beans

Food stagnation, Bloating, Belching, Cough with phlegm

Modern Uses

Intestinal parasite treatment, Digestive aid, Anthelmintic action, Flatulence reduction

Digestive aid, Qi descender, Expectorant

Adult Dosage

Tea: 1 tsp fresh herb per cup 2x/day short term

6-12g in decoction daily

Contraindications

Pregnancy, Children under 2, Kidney disease

Qi deficiency, With ginseng/ren shen

Side Effects

Neurotoxicity at high doses, Nausea, Liver toxicity from essential oil

GI upset, Gas

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E