ambrosioides, are cultivated. Russian literature attests to the properties of healing as well as its being a
prophylactic agent for several types of worms. There is no indication from available books of its being
used as folk medicine. Clinically: Chenopodium oil is used for worms: ascariasis, ancylostomiasis
(hookworms), 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
people 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. Commercial: Russian agro-technology instructions may get you off to
a faster start. Since the seeds are slow growing (14–16 days) they are mixed with seeds of some fast-
growing plant like lettuce, about 15–20 pounds per acre. Wormseed harvest is 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 time of maximum content for volatile oil, chenopodium and ascaridol. Seed harvest alone is by a
selected method.
chris devlin
(Chris Devlin)
#1