Epazote

Epazote is a popular central american herb used by native mexicans since antiquity. Its strong, musky flavor gives unique taste to mexican and other latin american cuisines. While its young shoots and tender leaves used like leafy greensain soups; its mature, pungent leaves employed in small quantities as digestive and carminatives in bean, fish, and corn dishes. Binomially the herb plant belongs to the large amaranthaceae family of herbs and vegetables, including amaranth, spinach, quinoa, beets, etc.

Epazote is a easy growing annual herb; prefers well-draining, sandy soil and full sunlight. It grows in the fields, along the roadside as weedy invasive plant. It reaches about 60 to 100 cm in height featuring small pointed leaves with serrated margins. Tiny yellow-green flowers appear in a cluster as in amaranth, developing into numerous tiny black seeds.

Epazote is a green leafy veggie that grows in latin american and is popular in mexico and used in cooking of many cultural dishes.. And it has many health benefits.

An essential oil called oil of chenpodium can be derived from epazote. Only a drop or two of this oil is needed to get the health benefits.

Those considering consuming the oil should exercise caution, as it contains a heavy concentration of potentially toxic chemicals which may cause kidney and liver damage and adversely affect the heart and the immune system.

Epazote can be added to many dishes that contain beans to help a person fight off stomach discomfort and to help prevent gas. If a person eats too much epazote at one time, it may be poisonous. This is especially true for the flower and seeds of the herb.

Pregnant or nursing women should not consume epazote. If a person puts just a sprinkle on their food and a little bit in the recipe, they will not only enjoy the taste but get the health benefits as well.

Some of the health benefits of epazote include its ability to reduce flatulence, reduce respiratory conditions, prevent certain cancers, eliminate parasites, improve the metabolism, protect the immune system, help with weight loss efforts, heal wounds, and reduce menstrual discomfort.

Itas sometimes called jesuits tea or mexican tea and itas not the most pleasant tasting tea in the world.. In fact some say it tastes terrible (the word epazote means smelly animal) but it does help in many great ways.

Epazote has largely been viewed as medicinal herb rather than a culinary plant. In general, its leaves used in the cooking to counter indigestion and flatulence effects of beans, high-fiber and protein food. Nonetheless, the herb has many intrinsic plant nutrients which when used optimally would benefit to overall health and wellness.

The herb is very low in calories. 100 g leaves just contain 32 calories. Its plain leaves provide a good amount of fiber, 3.8 g per 100g.

Its leaves compose of many monoterpene compounds such as ascaridole (60-80%), isoascaridole, p-cymene, limonene, and terpinene. Ascaridole is toxic to several intestinal worms like roundworm, hookworms, pinworm, etc. Native mayans drank its infusion regularly to keep off from worm infestation.

The herb parts, especially young leaves are an excellent source of folic acid, provide 215 ag or 54% of daily recommended values. Folic acid takes part in the dna synthesis and cell division.acaution: expectant mothers, however, may be advised to avoid epazote greens in their diet since it causes uterine cramps and possible risk of termination of pregnancy. (medical disclaimer).

Epazote has small amounts of vitamin a, and some flavonoid phenolic anti-oxidants such as beta-carotenes. Together, they act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ros) that play a role in aging and in various disease processes.

Like most other leafy, green vegetables, epazote has a significant level of fiber, which helps to improve the digestive process and stimulates the smooth movement of the bowels.

By improving the efficiency of the gastrointestinal system, epazote can reduce constipation, cramping, bloating, and even more serious conditions.

Traditionally, however, epazote was most commonly used to eliminate flatulence and eliminate indigestion, both of which are always a good thing!

There are only 32 calories in 100 grams of epazote, yet this leafy green plant is packed with nutrients and organic compounds that your body needs.

Therefore, if you are trying to lose weight, remain healthy, and feel full, this fiber- and nutrient-heavy plant is a very wise choice!

One of the other popular traditional uses of epazote was to treat worms of different types.

Hookworms and roundworms, as well as other parasitic worms in the body, can be neutralized by the active ingredients in epazote, which makes it an ideal dietary choice for people where water filtration and basic sanitary conditions may not be available.

The b-complex family of vitamins is an extremely important element in human health, and while each member does have a slightly different role in human health, they are all generally associated with the strength and efficiency of the metabolism.

Epazote delivers significant levels of 6 different b vitamins, particularly folic acid.

A single serving of epazote contains more than 50% of the daily recommended amount of folic acid, which is important for proper development and growth.

The moderate levels of vitamin a found in epazote, along with various other carotenes and antioxidant compounds, make this herb very important for the immune system.

The antioxidant activity of epazote protects the skin from free radical damage, and can also neutralize free radicals that cause various types of cancer and other chronic diseases.

The diverse range of minerals found in epazote mean that it can be very helpful in protecting your bones as you age.

Significant levels of calcium, phosphorous, zinc, copper, and manganese contribute to bone mineral density and stave off osteoporosis, meaning that your bones will keep you strong and healthy well into your later years.

Potassium is one of the most overlooked, yet essential, minerals in our body.

The moderate levels of potassium found in epazote can act as vasodilators, relaxing the blood vessels and reducing the strain on our cardiovascular system, thereby lowering the chances of developing atherosclerosis, consequently protecting us from heart attacks and strokes!

When a person is suffering from an illness, instead of using medications with harmful side effects they should use an all natural alternative.

The herb epazote is packed with many nutrients and can not only make an ill person feel better but prevent certain illnesses as well.

*the high levels of certain organic compounds in epazote, including folic acid, as well as the potency of the essential oil that can be extracted, mean that epazote can be dangerous if consumed in large quantities.

*gastroenteritis and other gastrointestinal issues have been reported by people who have consumed unusually large quantities of the herb or the essential oil.

*as always, consult a medical professional before adding a new element to your regular diet.