Epazote Herb vs Wild Basil

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Epazote Herb

Dysphania ambrosioides

Digestive

Wild Basil

Clinopodium vulgare

Digestive

⚠️ Pregnancy & Nursing Warnings

Epazote Herb

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Wild Basil

✅ Generally safe in pregnancy

✅ Generally safe while nursing

Description

Pungent aromatic herb used by Aztec and throughout the Americas for intestinal worms and as a traditional accompaniment to bean dishes to reduce flatulence.

European herb used in folk medicine as a mild carminative, diaphoretic, and general tonic across European folk traditions.

Active Compounds

ascaridole, p-cymene, limonene, flavonoids

carvacrol, thymol, flavonoids, rosmarinic acid

Traditional Uses

Treat intestinal worms and parasites, Reduce gas from bean dishes, Traditional Aztec antiparasitic, Digestive carminative

Digestive carminative, Fever diaphoretic, General tonic herb, Traditional European folk medicine

Modern Uses

Anthelmintic, Carminative, Antimicrobial, Antifungal

Carminative, Diaphoretic, Anti-inflammatory, Mild tonic

Adult Dosage

3-5g dried herb as tea or use freely in cooking

3-5g dried herb as tea or 2ml tincture daily

Contraindications

Pregnancy (ascaridole uterotonic), Essential oil highly toxic internally

No significant contraindications

Side Effects

GI irritation, Essential oil hepatotoxic and neurotoxic

None known

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

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

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E

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