Chenopodium ambrosioides (Chenopodium ambrosioides): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Questions fréquentes

How does Chenopodium ambrosioides kill intestinal parasites?

Chenopodium ambrosioides works primarily through ascaridole, a monoterpene peroxide that paralyzes intestinal worms by disrupting their neuromuscular function. This paralysis prevents the parasites from maintaining their position in the digestive tract, allowing them to be expelled naturally. Additional compounds like p-cymene and limonene may enhance this anthelmintic activity. The herb has been used traditionally throughout Mesoamerica and South America for this purpose. Evidence level: C (based on pharmacological studies and traditional use).

Is epazote safe to take during pregnancy?

No, Chenopodium ambrosioides is unsafe during pregnancy and is strongly contraindicated. The ascaridole content can stimulate uterine contractions and has been associated with miscarriage risk. Traditional use records indicate it was historically used to induce menstruation. Pregnant women, those attempting to conceive, and breastfeeding mothers should avoid both medicinal doses and concentrated forms of this herb. Evidence level: C (traditional contraindication supported by pharmacological evidence).

What is the recommended dosage of epazote tea for parasites?

Traditional adult dosage is one teaspoon of fresh herb steeped in one cup of hot water, taken twice daily for short-term use only, typically 2-3 days maximum. Extended use is not recommended due to potential neurotoxicity. Dried herb preparations may require slightly higher amounts. This herb should never be given to children under two years of age. Evidence level: C (traditional use guidelines).

Does epazote interact with any medications?

Limited clinical data exists on drug interactions for Chenopodium ambrosioides. However, due to ascaridole's potential hepatotoxicity, caution is warranted when combining with liver-metabolized medications or other hepatotoxic substances. The herb may theoretically interact with anticoagulants due to effects on bleeding parameters. Patients taking prescription medications should consult a qualified healthcare provider before use. Evidence level: C (theoretical interactions based on constituent analysis).

What are the side effects of Chenopodium ambrosioides?

At recommended doses, mild nausea may occur. However, high doses or concentrated essential oil can cause serious neurotoxicity, including dizziness, seizures, and in severe cases, death. Liver toxicity has been documented from essential oil use. The therapeutic window between effective and toxic doses is narrow. Contraindications include pregnancy, children under two, and kidney disease. The whole herb tea is safer than isolated essential oil preparations. Evidence level: C (case reports and traditional knowledge).

What is epazote used for in herbal medicine?

Chenopodium ambrosioides, known as epazote or wormseed, is primarily used as an anthelmintic to expel intestinal parasites including roundworms and hookworms. It also serves as a digestive aid and carminative to reduce flatulence, which explains its culinary use with beans. Throughout Latin America, it has been used for centuries both as medicine and as a cooking herb. Evidence level: C (well-documented traditional use with limited clinical trials).

Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed

Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.

Compilé à partir de 30 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b

Résumé

Chenopodium ambrosioides (also known as epazote or Dysphania ambrosioides) is a medicinal plant native to the Americas used traditionally for its anthelmintic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties [PMID:40647909, PMID:38883026, PMID:34299918].

Contexte

Chenopodium ambrosioides is a perennial herb from the tropics of the Americas, belonging to the Chenopodiaceae family [PMID:40828868, PMID:38883026]. It is utilized as a dietary condiment and in traditional medicine [PMID:34299918, PMID:40828868].

Usages traditionnels

Historically employed in traditional Latin American medicine for treating headaches, abdominal discomfort, joint issues, respiratory disorders, lice, and warts [PMID:40647909, PMID:38947765]. It is also used as an anthelmintic for intestinal worms [PMID:3906906], as well as an emmenagogue and abortifacient in Spanish and Mexican populations of New Mexico [PMID:232204].

Composés actifs

Bioactive components include ascaridol (a terpene and endoperoxidase) [PMID:3906906, PMID:2217117], kaempferitrin [PMID:38850960], polyol monoterpenes [PMID:28399680], and various phenolic compounds, alcohols, acids, terpenes, and steroids [PMID:39569936]. Other identified compounds include carvacrol, phytol, squalene, and vitamin E [PMID:30502468].

Mécanisme d'action

Kaempferitrin may target specific pathways against liver cancer [PMID:38850960]. The plant's essential oil can induce apoptosis in human liver cell line L02 via the endogenous mitochondrial pathway [PMID:34299918]. Leaf extracts have demonstrated endothelium-dependent vasorelaxant effects on the rat aorta, which are inhibited by atropine and tetraethylammonium [PMID:30738772].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve BAscariasis

Decoctions containing up to 300 mg of dry plant material per kg body weight were traditionally used and regarded as effective, though doses up to 6000 mg/kg of powdered plant showed no significant effect on adults of Necator, Trichuris, or Ascaris in specific field trials [PMID:3906906]

Preuve DBone Loss (Osteoporosis/Periodontitis)

Extracts demonstrated bone protective effects in rat models of periodontitis [PMID:38544779] and prevented bone loss in ovariectomized rats, resulting in significantly larger cortical bone [PMID:26735052].

Preuve DMalaria (Plasmodium falciparum)

Ascaridole is a potent inhibitor of plasmodial growth in vitro [PMID:2217117], and crude hydroalcoholic leaf extract showed plasmodicidal potential in P. falciparum cultures and BALB/c mice [PMID:27492200].

Preuve BBone Repair

A double-blind randomized study in rats indicated that an aqueous extract influenced the bone repair process [PMID:28742256].

Sécurité et effets indésirables

The plant can cause serious or fatal intoxications, particularly in infants and children, leading to neurological, digestive, hepatic, or renal complications [PMID:38883026]. A fatal case was reported in a four-year-old girl following high-dose infusions for fever [PMID:38883026]. Essential oils have shown cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction in human normal liver cells (L02) in vitro [PMID:34299918].

Grossesse et allaitement

Used traditionally as emmenagogues and abortifacients by Spanish and Mexican descendants in New Mexico [PMID:232204].

Synthèse des preuves

Evidence is primarily based on preclinical animal models (rats, mice, fish) and in vitro studies, with limited historical clinical field trial data. Most findings are supportive of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities, but safety concerns regarding toxicity in children are significant.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 38850960 (2024) — Potential anti-liver cancer targets and mechanisms of kaempferitrin based on network pharmacology, molecular docking and experimental verification. · Computers in biology and medicine
2.PMID: 32442827 (2020) — Oxidative stability in raw, cooked, and frozen ground beef using Epazote (Chenopodium ambrosioides L.). · Meat science
3.PMID: 40647909 (2025) — Essential Oils and Extracts from Epazote (Dysphania ambrosioides): A Phytochemical Treasure with Multiple Applications. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
4.PMID: 28399680 (2017) — Polyol monoterpenes isolated from Chenopodium ambrosioides. · Natural product research
5.PMID: 232204 (1979) — Plants used as abortifacients and emmenagogues by Spanish New Mexicans. · Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chenopodium ambrosioides

Sources et citations

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