| Epazote | |
| Chenopodium ambrosoides (Dysphania ambrosoides) |
|
a.k.a. Wormseed, Mexican Tea, Jesuit's Tea |
An herb and leafy vegetable, particularly popular in Mexico where it is used to flavor and season various dishes, from enchiladas to quesadillas and tamales.
Description: A short annual or perennial, rarely exceeding 2-3ft. Flower spikes are born during the summer.
Hardiness: Not frost hardy, but can be grown anywhere as an annual.
Growing Environment: Grow in full sun. Water regularly. Growing requirements are similar to some other more common garden herbs such as sage.
Propagation: By seeds, which should be sown 1/4" deep in well-drained soil. Soil should be kept at 75-85F.
Uses: Used for its strongly aromatic smell and flavor which is added to many dishes to bring out flavor. It also has the well-known affect of being able to prevent flatulence, possibly explaining its popularity in seasoning bean dishes. Oil from epazote is used as a treatment to kill intestinal worms. The herb also has a number of traditional medicinal uses.
Native Range: Native from Mexico through Central and parts of South America.