Epazote — Dried Herb

Epazote (Dysphania ambrosioides) is a pungent culinary herb native to Mexico and Central America, prized in Latin American kitchens for both its bold flavor and its long-standing role as a digestive aid.

🌿 Flavor & Aroma

• Oregano-like base with a sharp, tangy edge
• Notes described as earthy, resinous, and slightly medicinal
• Strong and concentrated — a little goes a long way

🌮 Where You'll Find It

Common in Mexican and Central American cooking:

• Bean dishes (its most famous role — see below)
• Quesadillas and tamales
• Mole de olla and soups

💨 Traditional Anti-Gas Use

Epazote's best-known role in Mexican kitchens isn't just flavor — it's function. Cooks have added it to simmering pots of beans for generations specifically to ease the bloating and gas that beans are notorious for. The herb contains natural compounds, including ascaridole, believed to give it this carminative, gas-easing effect, which is why it's traditionally added right into the pot with black, pinto, or other dried beans rather than sprinkled on afterward. Beyond beans, epazote has also long been used in traditional herbal preparations as a broader digestive settler, and historically as a folk remedy against intestinal parasites — though that latter use calls for real caution (more below).

🫖 How to Use It

• Culinary: add whole leaves during cooking, especially with beans or corn-based dishes — this is when its digestive benefits and flavor both come through best
• Tea: steep 1/2–1 teaspoon per cup of hot water
• Use in moderation — the flavor is strong and concentrated, and a little truly does go a long way

⚠️ A Note on Use

In the small amounts used for cooking or tea, epazote has a long, safe culinary history. That said, its active compound (ascaridole) can be irritating in large or concentrated doses — so this is a "cook with it, don't overdo it" herb, not one to take in medicinal extract or essential-oil form. As with any strong herb, it's not recommended in large amounts during pregnancy.

Sold by weight, per oz. Packaged in a resealable ziplock paper pouch.