Wormseed

Chenopodium ambrosioides

COMMON NAMES

• American Wormseed
• Feather Geranium
• Goosefoot
• Jerusalem Oak
• Jesuit Tea
• Stinking Weed
• Wormseed

Wormseed - a strong-smelling annual or perennial, growing up to 5 feet tall, with an erect stem that is somewhat woody at the base. Alternate, coarsely toothed leaves are oblong to lance-shaped. Dense spikes of tiny greenish flowers of wormseed (August-November) are borne in the leaf axils.

The homely, strong-smelling wormseed had its day in the 19th century, when official medicine in North America recognized wormseed as a most effective cure for roundworm and hookworm. Official recognition had been tardy, however. For centuries American Indians had known about this remedy, which paralyzes the offending intestinal worms. A strong laxative administered after the wormseed has had its effect drives the parasites from the body.

This worm remedy probably came north into the United States and Canada from Mexico and South America, where the species is indigenous, and pioneers and settlers learned of its use from Native Americans. In the 19th century wormseed was cultivated in vast amounts in Maryland to supply the commercial demand of the pharmaceutical industry. Chenopodium oil, the effective substance, is found in the wormseed but is most concentrated in the seeds. Wormseed was official in the U.S. Pharmacopeia for more than a century.

For some years physicians have ceased to recommend wormseed because it can cause harmful side effects ranging from nausea and dizziness to paralysis and death.

PARTS USED

Aerial parts, flowering tops.

USES

Wormseed is principally known for its ability to expel worms, especially roundworms and hookworms. However, it also used in the Americas as a digestive remedy, being generally taken to settle colic and stomach pains. Wormseed leaves have antispasmodic  properties. A decoction of the leaves or of the whole plant brings relief to a variety of gastrointestinal problems. Its muscle -relaxing action has led to its use in the treatment of spasmodic coughs and asthma. Wormseed also has external uses. Juice expressed from the whole herb is applied as a wash for hemorrhoids. In addition, the whole wormseed is thought to have wound-healing properties.

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

Wormseed is native to Central and South America and the Caribbean. Wormseed has been extensively cultivated in the US - in Maryland. Wormseed is also grown in China.

CONSTITUENTS

Wormseed contains a volatile oil (up to 90% ascaridol, plus geraniol and methyl salicylate) and triterpenoid saponins. Ascaridol is a powerful worm expellent.

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