almost all parts of the United States( cultivated in Maryland). The plant grows 2 – 4 ft. high and has yellowish-green flowers, which are oval and gland-dotted on the underside; they flower from July to September. The glossy black seeds ripen in the autumn, at which time they should be collected. The whole plant and seeds are distinguished by a peculiar disagreeable smell. The oil is the best form of administration.
WORMSEED Chenopodium anthelminticum, A. Gray; Chenopodium ambrosioides, L.( U: S. Agricultural Department, Appalachia, 1971)
Medicinal Parts: Seeds and top. Solvents: Distilling with water or super-heated steam; alcohol., 70 % proof. Bodily Influence: Anthelmintic, Antispasmodic. Uses: Chiefly used to expel intestinal worms, the cause of many mistreated symptoms. The infusion of the plant is often employed to promote menstruation, and to overcome uterine colic and cases of hysteria, if used in small amounts daily. Dose: Of the oil, 4 – 20 drops with honey, or molasses, for children according to age. The infusion of the tops and pulverized seeds, 1 teaspoonful to 1 cupful of boiling water; steep 15 min. administer in wine-glassful amounts. To expel worms with more success plan to give the above during a full moon, as the tenants are more active at this time. Omit the evening meal, give the prescribed dose and again in the morning before breakfast, followed by a herbal cathartic; repeat for three days to make sure the larva is expelled. Homoeopathic Clinical: Tincture of fresh plant; solution of oil seed— Aphasia, Apoplexy, Asthma, Cerebral deafness, Convulsions, Dropsy, Epilepsy, Headache, Hemicrania, Hemiplegia, Leucorrhoea, Menses( suppressed), Paralysis, Scapula( pain in), Tinnitus, Tonsilitis. Russian Experience: Two kinds of Mar( Wormseed), Chenopodium anthelminticum and Chenopodium ambrosioides, are cultivated. Russian literature objectively clings to the properties of healing as well as a prophylactic agent for several types of worms. There is no indication of it being used as Folk Medicine from personal available books. Clinical: Chenopodium oil is used for worms; ascaridiasis, ankylostoma( hook worms) and others. For children the oil is prepared with castor oil( laxative) and given occasionally in small doses; it has no side effect in this amount. Usually after expelling the worms most persons are relieved of the sometimes visible worm eggs and larvae as well. They do warn that an overdose can cause headache, vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness, etc. May also affect the liver, kidney, bladder, blood pressure, breathing. Commercially: Russian Agro-Technic literature instructions may get you off to a faster start. Since the seeds are slow growing( 14 – 16 days) they mix them with seeds of some fast-growing plant like lettuce, about 15 – 20 lb. per acre. Wormseed harvest is from ½ – 1 ton per acre. For industrial oil extraction, cutting machines are set to harvest the plant just to the lower stem, which does not have leaves. This is done when the plant becomes brownish and seeds are mostly ripened, which is the