| Dysphania ambrosioides | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Amaranthaceae |
| Genus: | Dysphania |
| Species: | D. ambrosioides |
| Binomial name | |
| Dysphania ambrosioides | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Dysphania ambrosioides, formerlyChenopodium ambrosioides, known asepazote,Jesuit's tea,Mexican tea[2] orwormseed,[3] is an annual or short-lived perennialherb native to the Americas.
Dysphania ambrosioides is anannual or short-livedperennial herb, growing to 1.2 m (4 ft) tall, irregularly branched, with oblong-lanceolateleaves up to 12 cm (4+1⁄2 in) long. Theflowers are small and green, produced in a branchedpanicle at the apex of the stem.
As well as in its native areas, it is grown in warmtemperate tosubtropical areas of Europe and the United States (Missouri,New England,Eastern US),[4] sometimes becoming aninvasiveweed.
Epazoteessential oil containsascaridole (up to 70%),limonene,p-cymene, and smaller amounts of numerous othermonoterpenes and monoterpene derivatives (α-pinene,myrcene,terpinene,thymol,camphor and trans-isocarveol).Ascaridole (1,4-peroxido-p-menth-2-ene) is rather an uncommon constituent of spices; another plant owing much of its character to this monoterpeneperoxide isboldo. Ascaridole is slightly toxic and has a pungent, not very pleasant flavor. In pure form,ascaridole decomposes violently upon heating, but this is relatively weak in regards to energy release, since breaking the oxygen bond will not destroy the entire molecule.[5] Ascaridole content is lower in epazote from Mexico than in epazote grown in Europe or Asia.[6]
The species was described in 1753 byCarl Linnaeus asChenopodium ambrosioides.[7] Some researchers treated it as a highly polymorphic species with several subspecies. Today these are considered as their own species within genusDysphania (e.g. American wormseed,Chenopodium ambrosioides var.anthelminticum is now accepted asDysphania anthelmintica).[8][9]
The generic nameDysphania was traditionally applied in the 1930s to some species endemic to Australia. Placement and rank of this taxon have ranged from a mere section withinChenopodium to the sole genus of a separate family, Dysphaniaceae, or a representative of the Illicebraceae. The close affinity ofDysphania to "glandular" species ofChenopodiumsensu lato is now evident.[10]
The specific epithetambrosioides refers to the plant's resemblance to unrelated plants of the genusAmbrosia, in the aster family.
The common Spanish nameepazote (sometimes spelled and pronouncedipasote orypasote) is derived from theNahuatl wordepazōtl (pronounced[eˈpasoːt͡ɬ]).
Humans have died from overdoses ofD. ambrosioides essential oils (attributed to theascaridole content). Symptoms include severegastroenteritis with pain,vomiting, anddiarrhea.,[11]dizziness, headache, temporary deafness, kidney andliver damage, convulsions, paralysis, death.[12]
Ideally collected before going to seed,D. ambrosioides is used as aleaf vegetable,herb, andherbal tea[13] for its pungent flavor. Raw, it has a resinous, medicinal pungency, similar tooregano,anise,fennel, or eventarragon, but stronger. The fragrance ofD. ambrosioides is strong and unique.[13] A common analogy is toturpentine orcreosote. It has also been compared tocitrus,savory, andmint.
Although it is traditionally used withblack beans for flavor and itsantiflatulent properties,[13] it is also sometimes used to flavor other traditional Mexican dishes: it can be used to seasonquesadillas andsopes (especially those containinghuitlacoche), soups,mole de olla,tamales withcheese andchili peppers,chilaquiles, eggs and potatoes,esquites, andenchiladas. It is often used as an herb in fried white rice, and it is an important ingredient for making the green salsa for chilaquiles.
In thePhilippines, where it is calledpasotes orpasyotes, it is a characteristic herb ofViganpipian, a chicken porridge distinct from the namesakeMexican pipian.[14] It is also used in thelongganisa ofSampaloc,Quezon, and as a stuffing forlechon inCarcar,Cebu.
The essential oils ofD. ambrosioides containterpene compounds, some of which have natural pesticide capabilities.[15] The compoundascaridole in epazote inhibits the growth of nearby species, so it is best to grow it at a distance from other plants.[16]
Dysphania ambrosioides not only contains terpene compounds, but it also delivers partial protection to nearby plants simply by masking their scent to some insects, making it a usefulcompanion plant. Its small flowers may also attract some predatory wasps and flies.
YouTube video name: 'Epazote: Organic Peroxides from a Plant'
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
