The nutritive and health benefits of the herb Epazote has been well known for centuries now; the Aztecs made use of it to cure a host of ailments and illnesses. Epazote is native to Central America, South America and Mexico. The herb is also known as wormseed, jesuits tea, pigweed and Mexican Tea.
Epazote grows to a height of 3 feet and has rectangle-like shaped leaves which measure around 12 cm and fan out in an asymmetrical shape. The flowers are green and grow in clusters. The stems and the leaves of the herb provide the healing properties of epazote. Health benefits of the epazote include: perking up of digestion, elimination of worms and parasites treating amenorrhea and effectively managing malaria.
Health Benefits Of Epazote Herb
Epazote is a Mexican herb having a rather strong flavor and a gasoline like smell. Epazote has been used in Mexican cuisine for several hundred years; in fact, the Aztecs used it for culinary purposes as well as to treat various disorders and illnesses. Epazote is somewhat toxic in huge quantities, but, it has been used in moderation to treat abdominal discomfort effectively. It alleviates abdominal distension, flatulence, pain and cramps in the abdomen and also enhances digestion.
It has a distinctive flavor in Mexican cuisine and is used to add flavor to an array of dishes, such as, soups, beans, salads, salsas, enchiladas and quesadillas. Older leaves of the herb have a stronger aroma and thus use it in moderation. Younger leaves tend to have a milder, but a richer aroma. The herb thrives in tropical and sub tropical zones and grows to a height of 2 to 3 feet.
You can find Epazote in almost all Hispanic grocery stores or Latin markets. There are several online stores as well that sell dried epazote leaves, which is an acceptable option, in case, fresh herbs aren’t available.
The herb is also called wormseed, given that, it helps prevent worms in animals and is frequently put in to animal feed for this reason.
Epazote Herb Medicinal Uses
The nutritive and health benefits of Epazote are numerous and vastly far reaching. The herb is loaded with vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B complex, good quality proteins, iron, copper, calcium, phosphorous, potassium, zinc, and dietary fiber. Adding the herb to your daily menu will yield wonderful health benefits.
The herb has been used extensively for the treatment and efficient management of:
- Respiratory disorders, such as, bronchitis, asthma, catarrh, etc. It improves breathing and gets rid of mucus and phlegm. It is useful in cases of chest congestion as well.
- Amenorrhea and menstrual irregularities can be handled well too.
- Helps in the management of malaria and expedites the process of healing and recovery.
- Occasionally, the herb has been used to treat chorea as well.
- Chenopodium, an oil that is derived from the herb helps kill intestinal worms and parasites.
- The epazote herb is used extensively in the treatment of gastric derangement and diseases. In fact, managing GI discomfort is one of the most important uses of the epazote. It helps in the treatment of a host of gastric disorders; it curbs flatulence, helps expel gas, and eases abdominal distension significantly; it peps up digestion and assimilation and keeps the GI tract working optimally.
- Epazote also helps prevent several chronic diseases such as osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and anemia.