What Is Epazote? How to Use This Mexican Herb

If you’ve ever walked through a Mexican grocery store and seen a bunch of leafy green herbs that you didn’t recognize, you may have wondered, What is epazote, and what do I do with it?

Epazote is a traditional Mexican herb with a strong aroma and distinctive flavor. It’s one of those ingredients that people tend to either love right away or need a little time to appreciate. I grew up in a Mexican family, and epazote wasn’t an herb my mother regularly used in her cooking. For me, one of the places I especially love it is in elote en vaso where its bold flavor fits right in.

Fresh epazote is the best choice when you can find it. The flavor of dried epazote is much milder, but it’s still a useful pantry ingredient when fresh isn’t available.

So, let’s talk about this unique Mexican herb and answer the questions I hear most often: What is epazote called in English? What does it taste like? How do you use it? And where can you find it?

How Do You Pronounce Epazote?

Epazote is pronounced:

eh-pah-SOH-teh

Now you know!

Epazote is commonly known in English by several names, including wormseed, Mexican tea, skunk weed, goosefoot, and Jesuit tea.

However, there isn’t one exact English translation for the word epazote. In the United States, Mexican grocery stores and recipes usually use the Spanish name epazote.

The scientific name for the plant is Dysphania ambrosioides. You may also see the older scientific name Chenopodium ambrosioides used in older books and references.

In Spanish, it’s simply called epazote. Depending on the region, you may also hear names such as apazote, ipasote, or pazote.

So, if you’re wondering, “What is epazote in English?”, the short answer is: There is no single direct English translation, but wormseed, Mexican tea, and skunk weed are some of its common English names.

Epazote is a leafy herb with long, dark green leaves that have jagged or irregular edges. The plant can grow several feet tall and produces small green flowers and tiny seeds.

Fresh epazote is usually sold in bunches, much like other fresh herbs. The leaves and tender stems are used in cooking.

And despite some people referring to it as an “epazote vegetable,” it’s actually an herb.

Epazote has a strong, pungent, earthy flavor that can be difficult to describe.

Some people find it slightly medicinal, while others notice flavors that remind them of citrus, mint, oregano, or anise. It also has a distinctive resinous quality that makes it unlike almost any other herb.

The flavor can be an acquired taste, especially if you’ve never tried it before.

Fresh epazote has a much stronger aroma and flavor than dried epazote. The older leaves and stems can also have a more pronounced flavor, so a little can go a long way.

If you’re new to epazote, I recommend trying it in a dish where it is traditionally used rather than tasting a large amount of the raw herb on its own.

Yes, you can freeze epazote if you want to keep it longer.

You can freeze the leaves whole or chop them and place them into an ice cube tray with a little water. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe container or bag.

This is a convenient way to have epazote available when you want to make a recipe that calls for it but can’t find fresh epazote at the store.

Epazote has traditionally been prepared as a tea 🍵 in some cultures and has a long history of use in traditional medicine.

However, epazote tea is not something I recommend using as a home treatment for parasites or other medical conditions.

You may see information online recommending epazote tea for intestinal parasites. While this is part of the herb’s traditional medicinal history, concentrated preparations of epazote can be harmful, and there is not enough evidence to recommend it as a safe or reliable treatment for a parasitic infection.

If you think you have a parasitic infection, it’s important to talk with a healthcare professional about proper testing and treatment rather than trying to treat it yourself with herbs.

For generations, epazote has been used in traditional medicine, particularly for digestive complaints and intestinal parasites.

The herb contains compounds that can be harmful in concentrated amounts, however, and consuming large amounts may cause serious side effects.

For this reason, epazote should be used primarily as a culinary herb. Pregnant people should avoid medicinal use of epazote, and anyone considering concentrated preparations or herbal remedies should consult a qualified healthcare professional first.

Traditional use and modern medical treatment are not the same thing. While epazote has an interesting history in traditional medicine, it should not replace professional medical care.