A-Z Blogging - "E"

 Well, Hello there!!! I am so pleased that you stopped by  to visit!
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    For the past many years I have had an interest...no, make that a fascination with herbs, spices and seasonings. - About how they were used by our ancestors centuries ago for a variety of ailments, and how they are used today to enhance your favorite recipe.
With this in mind I am attempting to present a different herb, spice or seasoning  for each day of the  A-Z Challenge. Please drop by often and perhaps we both will learn something new.
Learn more about these terms.


                                           "E" is for Epazote
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There are not many choices for "E". A couple that I might have chosen  but were not technically in the "herb/spice/ seasoning" category were -elder-flower, and edible flowers.  What was chosen, though, was -
EPAZOTE

Epazote is an annual herb that grows wild throughout Mexico. "Epazote" is a combination of Aztec words for "skunk" and "sweat" (now that will endear a lot of people!) A common name for the plant is "wormseed".(equally as endearing) It is smelly and toxic if consumed in large quantities.( Can't imagine why that doesn't surprise me!)

When added to stews, sauces and soups, the herb adds a distinctly piquant flavor--wild, peppery,minty. Any fan of Mexican  cuisine will appreciate the taste that epazote can bring.There is no substitute. It does not take much--a sprig or two added in the last 20 minutes of cooking to be effective.
Like mint, epazote is a good candidate for containers. Pruning the center stalk will make it bushy, and clipping off the flowers will promote more leaf production.

If you are feeling up to cooking "outside of your comfort zone"or perhaps that should be "cooking zone" than you will like this recipe.

Medicinal uses:


For centuries epazote has been used to expel intestinal hook worms. One of it's names has been Jesuit Tea. It is possible that the use of epazote as a tea falls into the parasite treatment category rather than a recreational tea.
It is  has the additional properties of reducing flatulence. As with all consumables, however, there is such a thing as "too much of a good thing" . As stated above, too much can be toxic.

It's time for Herbs and Spices!

Sources:
~Los Angeles Times -http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/home_blog/2012/01/epazote-wormseed-.html
~http://www.traditional-foods.com/profiles/epazote/

Disclaimer

The material provided on this site is designed for information and educational purposes only. The materials are not intended to be a self diagnostic and/or self treatment tool. I encourage you to use this information as a tool for discussing your condition with your health practitioner.