Epazote Herb (Dysphania ambrosioides): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does epazote work to kill intestinal parasites?

Epazote's primary anthelmintic compound is ascaridole, a terpene peroxide that paralyzes and expels intestinal worms, particularly roundworms and hookworms. The herb also contains p-cymene and limonene, which contribute antiparasitic and carminative effects. Evidence Level C supports these traditional uses, based primarily on in vitro and animal studies rather than large-scale human clinical trials. The herb has been used for centuries by Aztec and other Mesoamerican cultures specifically for this purpose.

Is epazote safe to use during pregnancy?

No, epazote is contraindicated during pregnancy. The active compound ascaridole has documented uterotonic properties, meaning it can stimulate uterine contractions and potentially cause miscarriage or premature labor. This safety concern is well-established in traditional knowledge and supported by pharmacological evidence. Pregnant women should avoid epazote in all forms, including culinary amounts, due to these risks. Women who are breastfeeding should also exercise caution and consult a healthcare provider before use.

Does epazote interact with any medications?

There is limited clinical data on specific drug interactions with epazote. However, due to the hepatotoxic potential of ascaridole and other compounds in the essential oil, epazote may theoretically interact with medications metabolized by the liver or other hepatotoxic drugs. Caution is advised when combining with prescription medications. The essential oil form should never be combined with any medications due to its documented toxicity profile. Consult a healthcare provider before use if taking prescription medications.

What is the recommended dosage of epazote for treating parasites?

The traditional adult dosage for epazote as an anthelmintic tea is 3-5 grams of dried herb steeped in hot water, taken once daily for up to three consecutive days. For culinary use as a carminative to reduce gas from bean dishes, the herb can be used freely in cooking. Evidence Level C supports these traditional dosages. Do not exceed recommended amounts, and avoid concentrated essential oil internally due to toxicity concerns.

What is epazote herb used for in traditional medicine?

Epazote has been used traditionally throughout the Americas, particularly by Aztec cultures, as an anthelmintic to treat intestinal worms and parasites. It is also widely used as a carminative to reduce flatulence and digestive discomfort, which is why it commonly accompanies bean dishes in Mexican cuisine. Additional traditional uses include treating digestive complaints and as a general digestive aid. Evidence Level C supports these traditional applications based on ethnobotanical documentation and preliminary pharmacological research.

Is epazote essential oil safe to take internally?

No, epazote essential oil is highly toxic and should never be taken internally. The concentrated ascaridole content makes the essential oil hepatotoxic and neurotoxic. Internal use can cause severe gastrointestinal irritation, liver damage, neurological symptoms, and potentially death. Only the whole herb in culinary or traditional tea preparations at recommended dosages should be used. Even then, use should be limited and avoided entirely during pregnancy.

PubMed-compiled information sheet

This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.

Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Dysphania ambrosioides, commonly known as epazote, is a medicinal plant used in traditional Latin American and Moroccan medicine for its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiparasitic properties [PMID:40647909, PMID:37552317].

Background

Epazote (Dysphania ambrosioides L.) is a perennial plant native to the tropics of the Americas, also found in Morocco and Asia [PMID:40828868, PMID:30727408]. It is a tetraploid herb used for both culinary and medicinal applications [PMID:40828868].

Traditional uses

In traditional medicine, it is used to treat diabetes, digestive disorders, fever, fertility problems, immune disorders, hypertension, bronchitis, respiratory conditions, pharyngitis, cough, and flu [PMID:37552317]. It is also used as a dewormer [PMID:33255092] and as emmenagogues and abortifacients in Spanish and Mexican descent populations in New Mexico [PMID:232204].

Active compounds

Bioactive compounds include ascaridole (a monoterpene peroxide), alpha-terpinene, p-cymene, thymol, carvacrol, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and alkaloids such as N-formylnorgalanthamine [PMID:36694378, PMID:33866878, PMID:41900046, PMID:35878213]. Other active molecules include Carvone oxide, 5-Isopropenyl-2-Methylenecyclohexanol, and Caryophyllene oxide [PMID:38253787].

Mechanism of action

Computational studies suggest inhibitory potential against bacterial, fungal, and cardiovascular main receptor targets [PMID:38253787]. Seed extracts have been shown to inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (SMMC-7721) [PMID:36694378]. Ascaridole's antimalarial activity is attributed to its peroxide group [PMID:2217117].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DHepatocellular Carcinoma

Seed extracts significantly inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion of SMMC-7721 cells in vitro [PMID:36694378]

Evidence DTrypanosoma cruzi (Chagas Disease)

Essential oils showed in vitro trypanocidal activity (IC50 8.7-12.2 ug/mL) and reduced parasitemia by 6.36% in vivo [PMID:34669244]

Evidence DSchistosomiasis (Biomphalaria tenagophila)

Essential oil showed 100% mortality against B. tenagophila at 10 ppm after 24h [PMID:33866878]

Evidence DPlasmodium falciparum

Ascaridole acted as a potent inhibitor of plasmodial growth, arresting development at 0.05 microM [PMID:2217117]

Evidence BBone Regeneration (Animal Model)

Evaluated the effect of chitosan combined with D. ambrosioides extract on bone repair in Wistar rats [PMID:32500599]

Evidence DMyocardial Injury (Rat Heart)

Aqueous extract of leaves investigated for cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion injuries [PMID:42046312]

Safety & adverse effects

Incorrectly calibrated doses can be toxic; case reports in Morocco describe fatal toxic encephalopathy and severe dehydration associated with acute gastroenteritis in children following infusion ingestion [PMID:30918546]. Computational predictions suggest slight cardiotoxicity and cytotoxicity for Caryophyllene oxide [PMID:38253787].

Pregnancy & lactation

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

Evidence summary

The evidence is primarily based on in vitro, in silico, and animal studies (Level D and B), with limited clinical case reports on toxicity. There are no human clinical trials or meta-analyses provided.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 38253787 (2024) — Computational Evaluation of Bioactive Compounds from Dysphania ambrosioides Leaves. · Chemistry & biodiversity
2.PMID: 40647909 (2025) — Essential Oils and Extracts from Epazote (Dysphania ambrosioides): A Phytochemical Treasure with Multiple Applications. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
3.PMID: 37552317 (2024) — Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin and Clemants: bridging traditional knowledge, photochemistry, preclinical investigations, and toxicological validation for health benefits. · Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology
4.PMID: 40828868 (2025) — A chromosome-scale genome assembly and annotation of the tetraploid herb "epazote" (Dysphania ambrosioides). · G3 (Bethesda, Md.)
5.PMID: 35453233 (2022) — Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activity of Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin and Clemants Essential Oils: Experimental and Computational Approaches.

Epazote Herb

Sources & Citations

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