Epazote - digestive herb used in beans
Epazote is a green leafy herb used around the world for digestive and other health benefits. It is also used when cooking a pot of beans and is believed to reduce flatulence. It is popular in Mexico and Guatemala, and also Morocco and the Mediterranean region.
“Dysphania ambrosioides, formerly Chenopodium ambrosioides, known as Jesuit's tea, Mexican-tea, payqu (paico), epazote, mastruz, or herba sanctæ Mariæ, is an annual or short-lived perennial herb native to Central America, South America, and southern Mexico.” (Wikipedia)
Digestive problems with muscle spasming might be particularly helped by the herb. The herb was found to be rich in flavonoid content with high antioxidant activity that showed muscle relaxing/anti-spasmodic properties. (Kandsi, et al., 2021)
“Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin and Clemants is an annual or ephemeral perennial herb used traditionally in the Mediterranean region in folk medicine to treat various illnesses, including those related to the digestive system. […]
This study supports the traditional use of this plant to treat digestive problems, especially those with spasms.” (Kandsi, et al., 2021)
Cooking tips for epazote, fresh is best, and most pungent.
The herb has a very strong flavor, (more so when fresh than dried), so some people might not like and others might crave as a unique flavor. Add i at the end of cooking to preserve the phytonutrients, and their aroma, flavor, and healing benefits. The cooking ratio used in a Refried Beans recipe on TheSpruceEats.com uses one sprig per cup of dried beans which would be one teaspoon dried per the article What is Epazote? (TheSpruceEats.com), although they also mention that it is generally sold and used fresh in Mexico.
“Epazote has a somewhat pungent flavor profile and is described by many as “medicinal." It has notes of oregano, anise, citrus, mint, and even tar or creosote. […]
Leaves and stems of this plant are used almost exclusively in its fresh form in its native land. Bunches of it can be purchased in some Mexican grocery stores or farmers markets. If you can’t get it fresh, grow your own; it is an easy-to-grow and hearty annual. Epazote seeds are available online if they aren't stocked at your local garden center.”
- What is Epazote? (TheSpruceEats.com)
Grow your own epazote seeds for sale.
Epazote seeds for sale, Chenopodium ambrosioides, - the information suggests container planting as it can spread - be pervasive - take over a garden plot. (MountainRoseHerbs.com) Nature wants us to be healthy. Medicinal herbs are frequently easy to grow to the point of becoming weeds like Garlic Mustard, Ground Ivy/Creeping Charlie or Dandelions.
Phytonutrient content of epazote, Dysphania ambrosioides:
See Table 1 for a more detailed list, which includes Gallocatechin/Epigallocatechin gallate and Myricetin.
“Thirty-five compounds have been discovered in D. ambrosioides, especially phenolic compounds [18]. Among the most abundant phenolic compounds are flavonoids (quercetin and kaempferol), terpenoids, and phenolic acids.
The chromatographic analysis of the different fractions revealed the existence of various compounds. The hydroethanolic extract contains mainly syringic acid, quercetin, hesperetin, and luteolin. The ethyl acetate fraction contains mainly kaempferol, syringic acid, quercetin, hesperetin, luteolin, and salicylic acid. The chloroform fraction contains kaempferol-3-O-pentoside, rosmarinic acid, trimethoxyflavone, syringic acid, and quercetin.” (Kandsi, et al., 2021)
Background info regarding medicinal use of the herb around the world:
“The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that D. ambrosioides is among the most widely used medicinal plants [2]. It can be used as a antirheumatic, analgesic [3], sedative, and antipyretic [4]. It is used as an herbal tea in Mexico to stimulate milk production and to improve blood flow. This plant has been widely used as a remedy for digestive disorders since centuries ago [5]. In Morocco, the entire plant is used as an infusion or juice for gastrointestinal diseases, typhoid, and dysentery in children and adults and as a galactogen. It is also used against oral abscesses, ulcerations, and purulent wounds by local application of the fresh plant [6]. Several authors have described the antioxidant [7], anti-leishmaniasis [8], antitumor [9], anthelmintic [10], molluscicidal [11], nematocidal [12], antimalarial [13], anti-inflammatory [14], and insecticidal properties of this plant [15,16,17].” (Kandsi, et al., 2021)
“mulluscicidal” - new word for me. For gardening maybe?
Snail tangent:
I like snails and shells. They are so geometric.
If this video appears in your life, the entire blessing of the universe will come to you, Lucid Dreaming Music, (Youtube)
Disclaimer: This information is being provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of Fair Use and is not intended to provide individual health guidance.
Reference List
(Kandsi, et al., 2021) Kandsi F, Conte R, Marghich M, Lafdil FZ, Alajmi MF, Bouhrim M, Mechchate H, Hano C, Aziz M, Gseyra N. Phytochemical Analysis, Antispasmodic, Myorelaxant, and Antioxidant Effect of Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin and Clemants Flower Hydroethanolic Extracts and Its Chloroform and Ethyl Acetate Fractions. Molecules. 2021 Dec 1;26(23):7300. doi: 10.3390/molecules26237300. PMID: 34885883; PMCID: PMC8659140. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8659140/
Yet another excellent post . I found this very interesting . Thank you .
My mom used to cook the beans with epazote 🤤 and my grandpa made some pastries with it either cilantro or epazote cheese, meat or potato.... oh, boy!! Delicious 😋