Mexican Tea (Dysphania ambrosioides)

Mexican tea (Dysphania ambrosioides) is native to tropical parts of the Americas. Both the leaves and stems have tiny glands that give off a bad-smelling odor. It’s a weed that grows along the sides of roads and stream beds.

I. Appearance and Characteristics 

Dysphania ambrosioides, formerly Chenopodium ambrosioides, known as Jesuit’s tea, Mexican-tea, payqu (paico), epazote, mastruz, or herba sanctæ Mariæ, is an annual or short-lived perennial herb native to Central America, South America, and southern Mexico.

Dysphania ambrosioides is an annual or short-lived perennial plant (herb), growing to 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) tall, irregularly branched, with oblong-lanceolate leaves up to 12 cm (4+1⁄2 in) long. The flowers are small and green, produced in a branched panicle at the apex of the stem.

As well as in its native areas, it is grown in warm temperate to subtropical areas of Europe and the United States (Missouri, New England, Eastern United States), sometimes becoming an invasive weed.

Humans have died from overdoses of D. ambrosioides essential oils (attributed to the ascaridole content). Symptoms include severe gastroenteritis with pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.

II. How to Grow and Care

Sunlight

While epazote is undemanding in most of its growing conditions, sufficient light it a must. It needs full sun to thrive.

Temperature and Humidity

Epazote can tolerate a light frost but won’t survive a harsh winter. It is a tropical plant that is adapted to moderately humid conditions as well are semi-arid climate.

Watering

Until the plant is established, epazote needs regular watering to keep it evenly moist. Afterwards, it is drought-tolerant. 

Soil

The herb can grow in many soil types and in a wide pH range from acidic to alkaline (5.2 to 8.3). Avoid planting it in a location with poor drainage as it does not like wet feet.

Acidic soil tends to reinforce the purpling of the stems and leaf veins.

Fertilizing

The plant grows in soils of all fertility levels, from moderately fertile soil to poor soils and fertilization is usually not necessary unless the plant becomes, chlorotic, which is more likely with container-grown plants. Epazote is said to even grow in pavement cracks.

Planting Instructions

Plant epazote in the spring in a location that gets full sun. Space plants at least 2 feet apart. Epazote does not need any support.

Epazote has one other drawback: its leaves contain the compound ascaridole, which can inhibit the growth of other plants nearby. If you have young plants that are not yet fully established, or tender seedlings, it is better not to plant epazote next to it.

However, epazote can also be a beneficial companion plant because its flowers attract predatory wasps and flies.

 The strong odor of epazote, which can be smelled from a few feet away, can help deter pests from other plants that are prone to infestations.

Pruning

Epazote readily self-seeds and pops up in unwanted places but this can be prevented by simply removing the flowers before they can turn into seeds. It can also become weedy. Regular pruning takes care of both issues. To encourage a bushy, compact growth, cut out the center stalk with a sharp knife or pruners and pinch off the stem tips. Pinch off the flowers as soon as they emerge, which encourages more leaf growth, and also prevents the plant from reseeding itself.

Propagation

Because epazote is so easily grown from seed, rather than propagating it vegetatively from cuttings, growing it from seed is the preferred propagation method.

How to Grow from Seed

You can grow epazote from seeds either by direct seeding after all danger of frost has passed, or, to get a head start on the growing season, by starting the seeds indoors between late March and early May. The timing depends on your last frost date, you don’t want the seedlings ready for transplanting outdoors too early.

• To start the seeds indoors, fill seed pots with pre-moistened potting mix. 
• Place the seeds on the potting mix and barely cover, as the seeds need light to germinate. Keep them evenly moist at all times at a temperature of at least 59 degrees Fahrenheit. Seed germination occurs in 7 to 21 days. 
• Harden off the seedlings before transplanting them outdoors after all danger of frost has passed.

Potting and Repotting 

When grown as an annual, epazote won’t need repotting during its single growing season. When grown as a perennial, there is usually no point in repotting it in a larger pot as the idea of container growing is to keep the plant contained. However, if the epazote starts to outgrow its container, you can remove it from the pot in the spring, divide it so it fits the pot (and discard the extra section, give it away, or repot it in a second pot), then replant it in the same container with fresh potting mix. 

Overwintering

In warm climates, epazote does not need any winter protection. Below USDA zone 8, it is grown as an annual whose life cycle ends with the first strong frost in the fall. Because it is difficult to give epazote the same amount of sunlight as outdoors, overwintering it indoors is not a recommended option.

Pests and Diseases

The strong odor of epazote deters most pests but it can be attacked by aphids, flea beetles, ground beetles, cabbage loopers, root nematodes, and slugs. It is also prone to get downy mildew.

III. Uses and Benefits 

• Culinary uses

Ideally collected before going to seed, D. ambrosioides is used as a leaf vegetable, herb, and herbal tea for its pungent flavor. Raw, it has a resinous, medicinal pungency, similar to oregano, anise, fennel, or even tarragon, but stronger. The fragrance of D. ambrosioides is strong and unique. A common analogy is to turpentine or creosote. It has also been compared to citrus, savory, and mint.

Although it is traditionally used with black beans for flavor and its antiflatulent properties, it is also sometimes used to flavor other traditional Mexican dishes: it can be used to season quesadillas and sopes (especially those containing huitlacoche), soups, mole de olla, tamales with cheese and chili peppers, chilaquiles, eggs and potatoes, and enchiladas. It is often used as an herb in fried white rice, and it is an important ingredient for making the green salsa for chilaquiles.

• Companion plant

Dysphania ambrosioides not only contains terpene compounds, but it also delivers partial protection to nearby plants simply by masking their scent to some insects, making it a useful companion plant. Its small flowers may also attract some predatory wasps and flies.

IV. Harvesting and Storage

You can start harvesting the leaves any time after the plant is established and has developed lush foliage. Pick the largest leaves but harvest them when they are still young because the flavor becomes stronger with age and might become overpowering. The best time to pick is in the morning after the dew has dried.