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Side effects of epazote or Mexican tea remedies
What side effects does epazote produce?
Epazote, Mexican tea, American wormseed or paico (Dysphania ambrosioides = Chenopodium ambrosioides) is an herb widely used as a remedy against parasites, intestinal worms that affect both humans and domestic animals.
However, given its toxicity, its use has been replaced by other less toxic herbs.
*More information: Remedies against intestinal worms
What side effects does Mexican tea cause?
The side effects of epazote are linked to the effects produced by its essential oils. The parts richest in essential oil are the flowers and seeds of epazote, so remedies with these parts of the plant should be taken with caution.
- Dermatitis due to contact with the fresh plant.
- Epazote should be used in low quantities since, due to its safrole (essential oil) content, excess can cause intestinal irritation, headache, nausea, vomiting, cardiac disorders or muscle weakness.
The therapeutic range of epazote is very narrow, so often the “side effects” are produced by poisoning with the plant.
The symptoms of poisoning with the use of epazote infusions are:
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting, nausea, dizziness
- In very high doses it produces poisoning, which affects kidney function, heart, liver and nervous system.
- Epazote essential oil is very toxic and should not be consumed, ase there have been cases of death from ingesting this remedy.
Toxic effects are more likely with the use of the flowers and seeds of epazote, since they are the part of the plant that contains more ascaridol (toxic principle).
There have been many cases of intoxication, mainly in children, since the toxic dose is lower for them than for adults: Because children weigh less, they can be poisoned with less of the plant. For this reason, epazote is not a recommended remedy for children.
- Currently there are more effective and less toxic remedies to combat intestinal parasites. Consult your doctor.
Epazote in pregnancy
Epazote infusions are not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding because they can cause problems during pregnancy. In the past, epazote had been used as an abortive plant.
The plant should also not be administered to children, who are at greater risk of poisoning in small doses.
More information on epazote or Mexican tea
