American Wormseed
Parts Usually Used
Seeds, essential oil
Description of Plant(s) and Culture
Wormseed is a stout aromatic plant 3-5 feet tall. Its erect stem is strongly branched from the base. Oblong or lanceolate with lacerate-pinnatifid margins, its alternate, yellowish-green leaves are marked beneath with small resinous particles. Blooming from July to September, the numerous green flowers grow on almost leafless spikes and are followed by small, green bladdery fruits with solitary, lenticular seeds.
Seeds glandular-spotted.
Where Found
Found in waste places in almost all parts of the United States. Naturalized from Central America.
Medicinal Properties
Anthelmintic (killing intestinal worms).
Uses
Historically, herbalists utilized the oil derived from the seeds and aerial parts of wormseed as an anthelmintic aimed at expelling roundworms, hookworms, dwarf tapeworms, and other intestinal parasites, though traditions noted it had less effect on large tapeworms. Practitioners also administered the oil or an infusion of seeds prepared with milk. Additionally, the plant was historically employed as a mild cardiac stimulant and to encourage secretions from the skin and kidneys.
Warning
This herb’s oil is highly toxic. A dash of the leaves is added as a culinary herb to Mexican bean dishes in the belief that it may reduce gas. May cause dermatitis, vertigo (dizziness or light-headedness) or an allergic reaction. An overdose of the oil can result in poisoning and death. (a 1 year old baby given a dose of 4 drops 3 times per day for 2 days, died and other cases of overdose deaths are on record.
Do not use wormseed without medical supervision.
Bibliography
The Herb Book , by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974. Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants , by Steven Foster and James A. , Houghton Mifflin Company, 215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10000 American Folk Medicine , by Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, 1973 The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine , by Dr.
David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, Second edition, 1988. , 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023