Epazote is a perennial herb that is also known as Jesuit's tea, Mexican-tea, paico macho, hierba homigero, and yerba de Santa Maria. It belongs to the Chenopodium family, along with lambsquarters, and has a long history of both culinary and medicinal use. This adaptable plant, native to tropical Americas, can be found throughout Texas and the southwestern United States, growing up to 1 m high and featuring soft notched leaves and small, hard-to-see flowers. The Aztecs already used epazote as a culinary and medicinal herb. With a pungent odor and a distinctive flavor, epazote is often used in Southwest cuisine to add a touch of spice to dishes such as black beans, soups, quesadillas, and more. However, it should be consumed in moderation, as large doses of the flowers and seeds can be poisonous and cause nausea, convulsions, or even coma. Epazote is also believed to have anti-gas properties and is sometimes used to prevent worms in livestock. Overall, epazote has a long-standing reputation as a valuable herb in both the culinary world and traditional medicine. Always consult a health professional or qualified herbalist before using this plant or its essential oil medicinally.
Scientific Name: Dysphania ambrosioides
Plant Life Cycle: Perennial
Optimal Germination Temperature: 18-29 °C
Germination time in days: 10-21 days
Indicative Days to maturity: 55-60 days
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil requirement: grows easily in most soils but prefers sandy loam
Sowing and cultivation: Sow seed indoors from March to April and transplant outdoors after chances of frost have passed. Alternatively sow directly in the ground just before the last spring frost date. Lightly cover. Space plants by 40 cm.
