Epazote has a long history of both culinary and medicinal use. Native to the Americas it is found wildly throughout the southwestern United States. Common names include paico macho, hierba homigero, and yerba de Santa Maria.
It contains a compound called ascaridole with Mayans use as an infusion/tea to treat parasite infections, though it can be toxic to the liver when taken in large amounts. Its pungent flavor is often added to beans to help minimize flatulence Oil of Chenopdium is derived from this plant.
Epazote, is used as an herb in cooking or tea and has a distinctly pungent flavor. Raw, the resinous scent has notes of turpentine or creosote, which mellows when heated. It is traditionally used with black beans for flavor and its antiflatulent properties. It is also used to flavor other traditional Mexican dishes like quesadillas and sopes (especially those containing huitlacoche), soups, mole de olla, eggs and potatoes.
Epazote can help with constipation, menstrual cramps and treat intestinal hookworms, nematodes, and the tropical parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. It contains vitamins A and C, which have antioxidant properties that can help fight free radicals and protect cells from damage. Vitamin C also helps the body produce more white blood cells, which can strengthen the immune system. Some studies suggest that regularly taking epazote can lower the risk of getting common diseases like colds, fevers, coughs, and the flu.
This has been organically (uncertified) and veganically grown in the Mad for Mushrooms edible landscape, sundried and ground - 1/2 oz bags as shown.
*Please combine with other items to meet minimum order shipping requirements, $40 dry, $55 for fresh. Message with questions prior to purchase.
Epazote - dried and powdered (organic)
Mad for Mushrooms is dedicated to the proliferation and learning of wild foods and natural ecosystems. Predominantly foraged, I focus on offering unusual, and wildly delicious foodstuffs for regional chefs and restaurants. Collaboration is essential to the work, outside of foraging and sharing knowledge, I am interested in product development, and alternative applications of biomimetics. As a vendor with Foraged Market, I hope to reach a wider audience, exciting more minds and mouths with nutritionally dense wild food products. The majority of items will be sourced in the forests and hillsides of the Ohio River Valley. However, when indicated, certain items have been successfully wild-grown in my organic, vegan, urban garden to offer a greater variety.
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