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Chenopodium ambrosioides anthelminticum
Wormseed
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The Chenopodium ambrosioides anthelminticum plant species is found in Tropical America. Naturalized in S. Europe[50]. It is a member of the Chenopodiaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Wormseed. Some home gardeners know the variety as C. anthelminticum. Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses
Latin Name: Chenopodium ambrosioides anthelminticum
Common Name: Wormseed
Family: Chenopodiaceae
Author: (L.)Gray.
Known Hazards: The essential oil in the seed and flowering plant is highly toxic. In excess it can cause dizzyness, vomiting, convulsions and even death[222, 238]. The plant can also cause dermatitis or other allergic reactions[222].
The leaves and seeds of all members of this genus are more or less edible. However, many of the species in this genus contain saponins, though usually in quantities too small to do any harm. Although toxic, saponins are poorly absorbed by the body and most pass straight through without any problem. They are also broken down to a large extent in the cooking process. Saponins are found in many foods, such as some beans. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K].
The plants also contain some oxalic acid, which in large quantities can lock up some of the nutrients in the food. However, even considering this, they are very nutritious vegetables in reasonable quantities. Cooking the plant will reduce its content of oxalic acid. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition[238].
Mature Height: 1 Mature Width: 0.7
Habitat: Waste and cultivated ground[204].
Cultivation Notes: An easily grown plant, succeeding in most soils but disliking shade[1, 200]. It prefers a moderately fertile soil[200]. Tolerates a pH in the range 5.2 to 8.3.
Plants are annuals or short-lived perennials[238]. They are not very hardy when grown outdoors in Britain and so are best grown as an annual[238]. Plants have often self-sown freely in our Cornish trial grounds, but the seed germinates in the autumn and does not manage to survive the winter[238].
Wormseed is sometimes grown as a medicinal and culinary plant, especially in its native Mexico. This sub-species is more active medicinally than the type species and is the form most often cultivated for its vermicidal activity[4, 46, 50, 238]. It is one ot the safest and best vermifuges available[4].
The bruised leaves emit an unpleasant foetid odour[245].
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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses
The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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