Wormseed
Botanical Description & Habitat
Chenopodium ambrosioides L. var. anthelminticum
Family
Chenopodiaceae
Common Names
| American wormseed | Chenopodium |
| Feather geranium | Goosefoot |
| Jerusalem oak | Jesuit tea |
Habitat
Found in almost all parts of the Unites States, especially in damp waste places
Medicinal Parts
Seeds, and dried herb
Historical Properties & Uses
Wormseed has one use: anthelmintic. The oil expressed from the seeds and herb are used to expel roundworms, hookworms and virtually any parasite of the intestinal tract, though it is not as effective against tapeworms.
In children a wormseed tea is used instead of the oil. As side effects, wormseed is diuretic and has mild stimulant effects on the heart.
Method of Action
Wormseed is a Good Anthelmintic.
The oil of wormseed contains up to 70% terpeneperoxide ascaridole, p-cymole and other terpenes. Even small doses of chenopodium oil and ascaridole cause flight and avoidance responses in parasites, followed by irreversible signs of paralysis. The use of wormseed, like male fern, must be followed in about 2 hours by a strong laxative.
Since the development of safer anthelmintics, the use of wormseed oil has become almost totally obsolete except among the most die-hard herbalists. It rarely appears in the codices of modern countries. Ascaridole and chenopodium oil are still commonly used in veterinary practice.
Note: Wormseed should not be confused with Chenopodium ambrosioides, Mexican tea, or epazote, which is more of bitter tonic, though it too has anthelmintic action.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Known Interactions
Wormseed, insofar as its diuretic action increases the renal excretion of sodium and chloride, may potentiate the hyperglycemic and hyperuremic effects of glucose elevating agents.
The effects of dopamine and diuretic agents are additive. Diuretics may potentiate the action of antihypertensive drugs, ganglionic or peripheral adrenergic blocking drugs, tubocurarine and norepinephrine.
Possible Interactions
Mineral oil, by sequestering wormseed, may reduce its anthelmintic effect. The same may be true, to a lesser extent, of antacids.
In conjunction with ACTH or corticosteroids, this diuretic is more prone to produce hypokalemia. The use of diuretics may require dosage adjustments of antidiabetic drugs. The diuretic action of wormseed may reduce renal clearance of lithium.
An initial dose of captopril (an antihypertensive) may cause a severe drop in blood pressure within three hours if the person is also using a strong diuretic.
Wormseed and sparteine may have synergistic oxytocic activity.
Cyclopropane or halogenated hydrocarbon anesthetics may sensitize the myocardium to the cardiotonic effects of this herb, though the chances are very few of this happening.
Wormseed is synergistic with parenteral calcium salts, pancuronium, succinylcholine, rauwolfia alkaloids, ephedrine, epinephrine, and other adrenergic agents.
The inotropic action of wormseed may be reduced by propranolol, but the effects of the two substances on av are additive.
Comments
Prolonged use of this diuretic may affect certain lab test results such as electrolytes, especially potassium and sodium, uric acid, glucose, and pbi.
Strong diuretics such as this in conjunction with indomethacin may produce natriuretic effects.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
In therapeutic doses the chances of side effects are small. But overdose can produce symptoms ranging from nausea to paralysis. The oil is toxic if fed to children. Too much of it in an adult can also be toxic.
Use extreme caution.
Preparation & Administration
Take 1/3 to 1/2 tsp seeds mixed with honey two times a day, then follow with a good laxative.
Note: This Herbal Preparation information is a summary of data from books and articles by various authors. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.
References
Lust, John, The Herb Book. Bantam Books, New York, 1974.
Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
Sticher, O. Plant mono-, di-, and sesquiterpenoids with pharmacological or therapeutic activity. New Natural Products and Plant Drugs with Pharmacological, Biological or Therapeutical Activity. H. Wagner & P. Wolff, eds., Springer Verlag, Berlin, 1977.
| Signup Free Applied Health Journal |
||||
|
FREE Sample Issue Your email address is all we need to start you on a better path to health. We respect your privacy.
|
