Epazote (Chenopodium ambrosiodes)
Description: Strongly scented leaves are highly esteemed in Central America for seasoning beans, corn, fish and mushrooms. Wormseed oil is used to expel intestinal parasites.
Cultivation: The plant prefers sandy and rocky poor soil in full sun. The plants can be started indoors or sown direct in early summer. The tiny seeds need both heat and light to germinate well. Space plants 2 feet apart.
Uses: The strongly scented leaves are highly esteemed in Central America for seasoning beans, corn, fish and mushrooms. They are not only a good seasoning but also aid digestion. Epazote seed is often called wormseed and is used to expel intestinal parasites, including roundworms, hookworms and intestinal amoeba.
Seed Saving: In temperate climates, Epazote doesn't go to seed until late fall and may need some protection against the weather to provide a successful harvest. The small, light beige seeds rub readily off the stalk when dry enough but the strong odour emitted when doing so is something to be prepared for!
