Chenopodium

BotanicalBest with a meal

What is it

Chenopodium refers to the goosefoot genus, most commonly Chenopodium ambrosioides (epazote, now reclassified as Dysphania ambrosioides) used as a culinary herb and traditional antiparasitic, or to Chenopodium quinoa (quinoa).

Evidence for 2 uses

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Whole-grain protein (via quinoa)

Good Evidence

Quinoa provides high-quality plant protein with all essential amino acids and contributes to a healthy whole-grain pattern.

Traditional antiparasitic (epazote)

Mixed Evidence

Historical anthelmintic use of ascaridole-rich oil is not recommended due to safety concerns.

How it works

Epazote essential oil contains ascaridole, historically used as an anthelmintic. Modern use is largely culinary; medicinal use has fallen out of favor due to ascaridole toxicity at therapeutic doses. Quinoa (a separate species in the same genus) is a complete-protein grain. In supplements, chenopodium most often refers to epazote leaf or quinoa powder as a food ingredient; antiparasitic use of pure ascaridole oil is no longer recommended.

Dosage

There is no RDA. Quinoa is a food; culinary epazote is used in small amounts. Medicinal epazote oil dosing is not recommended. DSLD does not provide a median dose for this entry.

When and how to take it

Quinoa is consumed with meals. Culinary epazote is added during cooking; medicinal use is not recommended.

1 commercial form

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Epazote leaf / extract / quinoa powder

Different species in the same genus serve very different uses.

Composition varies dramatically by species and plant part.

Safety

Quinoa is generally very safe. Epazote leaf at culinary doses is well tolerated; ascaridole oil at higher doses can cause nausea, vomiting, CNS, and hepatic toxicity.

Who should be cautious

Avoid medicinal epazote in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Quinoa is safe across populations. Caution with high-dose epazote oil in liver disease.

Interactions

Limited interaction data. High-dose epazote oil should be avoided alongside CNS depressants and hepatotoxic drugs.

Food sources

Quinoa, cooked

Amount
1 cup (185 g)
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

Is epazote safe to eat?⌄

At culinary amounts, yes. Concentrated essential oil and high-dose medicinal use is not recommended.

Is quinoa a complete protein?⌄

Yes. Quinoa contains all nine essential amino acids in meaningful proportions.

References

Chenopodium on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Chenopodium on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Chenopodium (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.