Chenopodium Oil
OTHER NAME(S): Aceite de Paico, Aceite de Quenopodio, American Wormseed, Ansérine, Aritasou, Epazote, Épazote, Erva de Santa Maria, Fausse Ambroisie, Goosefoot, Huile d'Ansérine, Huile de Chénopode, Jesuit Tea, Mastruz, Mentrasto, Mentruco, Mexican Tea, Paico, Pazote, Thé du Mexique, Wormseed, Dysphania ambrosioides, Chenopodium ambrosioides, Chenopodium anthelminticum, Aceite de quenopodio, Huile de chénopode
Overview
Chenopodium oil is made from the chenopodium plant (Dysphania ambrosioides), which is also known as epazote. It grows in Central and South America.
Chenopodium oil contains high amounts of a toxic chemical called ascaridole. The amount of ascaridole found in the oil depends on the plant part used, the season, and where the plant was grown. Ascaridole is thought to paralyze roundworms, hookworms, and some tapeworms.
People use chenopodium oil for parasite infections in the intestine and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using chenopodium oil can also be unsafe. It has been linked with serious side effects, including death.
Don't confuse chenopodium oil, which is also called wormseed, with wormseed and wormwood. These are not the same.
Uses
We currently have no information for Chenopodium Oil overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Chenopodium oil is unsafe. It contains the chemical ascaridole, which is toxic. Potential side effects include dizziness, skin irritation, vomiting, deafness, paralysis, liver damage, and death.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Chenopodium oil is unsafe. It contains the chemical ascaridole, which is toxic. Potential side effects include dizziness, skin irritation, vomiting, deafness, paralysis, liver damage, and death.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Chenopodium oil is unsafe when taken by mouth while pregnant or breast-feeding. It contains toxic chemicals.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Medications that increase sensitivity to sunlight (Photosensitizing drugs) interacts with Chenopodium OilSome medications might make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. Chenopodium oil might also make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. Using these products together might increase the risk of sunburn, blistering, or rashes when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Be sure to wear sunblock and protective clothing when spending time in the sun.
Dosing
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of chenopodium oil might be. It contains toxic chemicals that are unsafe. Speak with a healthcare provider before use.
References
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- Cavalli, J. F., Tomi, F., Bernardini, A. F., and Casanova, J. Combined analysis of the essential oil of Chenopodium ambrosioides by GC, GC-MS and 13C-NMR spectroscopy: quantitative determination of ascaridole, a heat-sensitive compound. Phytochem.Anal. 2004;15(5):275-279.
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- Cysne DN, Fortes TS, Reis AS, et al. Antimalarial potential of leaves of Chenopodium ambrosioides L. Parasitol Res. 2016 Nov;115(11):4327-4334.
- Soares MH, Dias HJ, Vieira TM, et al. Chemical composition, antibacterial, schistosomicidal, and cytotoxic activities of the essential oil of Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants (Chenopodiaceae). Chem Biodivers. 2017 Aug;14(8).
- Ez-Zriouli R, ElYacoubi H, Imtara H, et al. Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities and Acute Toxicity of Cedrus atlantica, Chenopodium ambrosioides and Eucalyptus camaldulensis Essential Oils. Molecules 2023;28(7):2974.