The Benefits of Wormseed for Harmful Organism Cleansing

Chenopodium ambrosioides American Wormseed

The benefits of American wormseed are primarily centered around its ability to help the body establish an environment that is inhospitable to harmful, invading organisms; which are attracted to weakened, unhealthy, toxin-ridden digestive systems. Wormseed, or Chenopodium ambrosioides, is an herb found throughout South America, Mexico, and the United States. The Mayans gave wormseed its name after realizing its efficacy in dealing with intestinal enemies. A tea made from the leaves has been used to provide a cleansing effect and to help expel harmful organisms from the body. The seeds have also been used to help the body purge predatory organisms. A German pharmacist first successfully extracted the true Chenopodium oil in 1895 and the therapeutic extract was officially listed in the United States Pharmacopoeia for more than 100 years.

Wormseed and Fungus

Research has repeatedly shown that wormseed is effective against fungus. Wormseed contains a compound called ascaridoles, which is believed to be the most toxic to fungus. [1] At least two separate studies performed at India's Banaras Hindu University evaluated botanical essential oils for activity against funguses that cause skin infections. Wormseed oil was repeatedly confirmed effective at reducing proliferation of fungus that causes skin infections in guinea pigs. [2] [3] Additional research at the same university evaluated the efficacy of wormseed oil to control the growth of fungus on stored foods. Not surprisingly, it was found to completely inhibit the proliferation of fungus in an eco-friendly manner. [4]

Wormseed To Repel Pests

DEET is an ingredient in many bug sprays and mosquito repellants. It's effective but it's also toxic. Wormseed oil, however, is one of many essential oils that have been examined as a natural alternative to DEET. [5] The odor that wormseed emits is an effective repellent against many insects, some people even plant it in their garden to act as an organic, chemical-free pest deterrent.

Snails can be another garden pest and, in some regions, even spread diseases like schistosomiasis, an intestinal infection caused by a worm. In fact, in Brazil, schistosomiasis is called "snail fever." Wormseed extract has also been identified as an effective method to dealing with schistosomiasis-transmitting snails. [6] Additionally, China Agricultural University in Beijing has reported that wormseed is toxic to German cockroaches. [7]

Wormseed and Intestinal Invaders

According to the Department of Anthropology at the University of Missouri-Columbia, wormseed is popular in Dominican culture to address intestinal invaders. [8] A 72-patient Peruvian study evaluated the efficacy of wormseed against harmful organisms. The patients were given extracts from the leaves and their stools analyzed before and eight days after consumption. Harmful organism toxicity was observed in more than half the subjects. [9]

Additionally, while many people prefer to keep their own bodies free of harmful organisms, it’s also important for livestock farmers to keep their animals free of invaders. When researchers in Brazil evaluated the efficacy of a menthol and wormseed combination on goats with roundworms, they found that the substance was able to reduce larvae population by more than 95%. [10]

References (10)
  1. Jardim CM, Jham GN, Dhingra OD, Freire MM. Composition and antifungal activity of the essential oil of the Brazilian Chenopodium ambrosioides L. J Chem Ecol. 2008 Sep;34(9):1213-8. doi: 10.1007/s10886-008-9526-z. Epub 2008 Aug 5.
  2. Kishore N, Mishra AK, Chansouria JP. Fungitoxicity of essential oils against dermatophytes. Mycoses. 1993 May-Jun;36(5-6):211-5.
  3. Prasad CS, Shukla R, Kumar A, Dubey NK. In vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of essential oils of Cymbopogon martini and Chenopodium ambrosioides and their synergism against dermatophytes. Mycoses. 2010 Mar 1;53(2):123-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0507.2008.01676.x. Epub 2009 Feb 26.
  4. Kumar R, Mishra AK, Dubey NK, Tripathi YB. Evaluation of Chenopodium ambrosioides oil as a potential source of antifungal, antiaflatoxigenic and antioxidant activity. Int J Food Microbiol. 2007 Apr 10;115(2):159-64. Epub 2006 Dec 14.
  5. Gillij YG, Gleiser RM, Zygadlo JA. Mosquito repellent activity of essential oils of aromatic plants growing in Argentina. Bioresour Technol. 2008 May;99(7):2507-15. Epub 2007 Jun 20.
  6. Hmamouchi M, Lahlou M, Agoumi A. Molluscicidal activity of some Moroccan medicinal plants. Fitoterapia. 2000 Jun;71(3):308-14.
  7. Zhu WX, Zhao K, Chu SS, Liu ZL. Evaluation of Essential Oil and its Three Main Active Ingredients of Chinese Chenopodium ambrosioides (Family: Chenopodiaceae) against Blattella germanica. J Arthropod Borne Dis. 2012 Dec;6(2):90-7. Epub 2012 Dec 31.
  8. Quinlan MB, Quinlan RJ, Nolan JM. Ethnophysiology and herbal treatments of intestinal worms in Dominica, West Indies. J Ethnopharmacol. 2002 Apr;80(1):75-83.
  9. Giove Nakazawa RA. Traditional medicine in the treatment of enteroparasitosis. Rev Gastroenterol Peru. 1996 Sep-Dec;16(3):197-202. Spanish.
  10. De Almeida MA, Domingues LF, Almeida GN, Simas MM, Botura MB, Da Cruz AC, Da Silva AV, Menezes TP, Batatinha MJ. Effects of aqueous extracts of Mentha piperita L. and Chenopodium ambrosioides L. leaves in infective larvae cultures of gastrointestinal nematodes of goats. Rev Bras Parasitol Vet. 2007 Jan-Mar;16(1):57-9. Portuguese.

†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.


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Dr. Edward Group, DC
FOUNDER | HEALER | ADVOCATE

Dr. Group, DC is a healer and alternative health advocate, and an industry leader and innovator in the field of natural health who is dedicated to helping others. He is a registered doctor of chiropractic (DC), a naturopathic practitioner (NP), and proud alum of Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan School of Management. Dr. Group, DC is the founder of Global Healing – a mission and vision he has shared through best-selling books and frequent media appearances. He aims to spread his message of positivity, hope, and wellness throughout the world.

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