Tag: Epazote toxicity

Overconsumption of epazote, or its concentrated oil, can lead to severe side effects including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea due to a toxic compound called ascaridole. This herb, traditionally used in small quantities in Mexican cuisine to reduce gas and enhance flavor, must be handled with care to prevent adverse reactions.

Epazote contains a compound called ascaridole, which is toxic in high concentrations. While a staple in Mexican cuisine for centuries, its potency means that proper dosage is key to avoiding adverse health effects, particularly with concentrated forms of the herb.

Historically used by the Mayans and Aztecs for medicinal purposes, epazote is a pungent herb known for its culinary contributions and powerful biological effects. The question of what does epazote do to your body is crucial, as its benefits for digestion and parasite expulsion are balanced by the potential toxicity of its key compound, ascaridole.

Epazote contains the compound ascaridole, which can be highly toxic in large doses, particularly in its concentrated oil form. Understanding how much is too much epazote is crucial for using this pungent herb safely in your cooking without risking adverse health effects.