America; naturalized and cultivated world-
wide. Part used is the fresh aboveground
flowering and fruiting plant, from which the
volatile oil (with a disagreeable odor and bitter
taste) is obtained by steam distillation. Major
producing countries include India, China,
Brazil, and the United States. Due to its high
ascaridole (a peroxide) content, chenopodium
oil may explode when heated or treated with
acids and should be handled with caution.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
Contains variable amounts of ascaridole
(17–90%, usually 60–80%),l-limonene, myr-
cene,p-cymene,a-terpinene, saturated hydro-
carbons (C 21 to C 31 with C 29 predominant),
triacontyl alcohol,a-spinasterol, and others
(JIANGSU;LIST AND HO ̈RHAMMER).1–4
PHARMACOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL
ACTIVITIES
Ascaridole, the active principle of the oil, has
anthelmintic properties, particularly against
roundworms (Ascaris); it is also effective
against hookworms and dwarf tapeworms but
not large tapeworms.
TOXICOLOGY
The oil is considered as very toxic. Toxic
effects include irritation of skin and mucous
membranes, vomiting, headache, vertigo,
kidney and liver damage, temporary deafness,
and circulatory collapse, among others. Ef-
fects may be cumulative. Cases of death have
also been reported. (GOSSELIN;MARTINDALE).^4
USES
Medicinal, Pharmaceutical, and Cosmetic.
Now seldom (if at all) used in pharmaceutical
preparations as it is largely replaced by syn-
thetic anthelmintics such as piperazine and
other compounds. Major use is as a fragrance
component in soaps, detergents, creams,
lotions, and perfumes, with maximum use
level of 0.4% reportedly used in perfumes.^4
Food. The leaves and seeds ofC.ambro-
sioides are used in Mexican cooking as
a carminative flavoring with bean dishes
(MOORE1).
Traditional Medicine. Used as an anthel-
mintic for roundworms, hookworms, and
dwarf tapeworms, among others. Leaf, root,
and plant ofC.ambrosioideshave been used
in tumors.^5 In China, the fresh root is used to
treat articular rheumatism.
COMMERCIAL PREPARATION
Essential oil. It was formerly official in N.F.
and U.S.P.
Regulatory Status. Not permitted in foods.
REFERENCES
See the General References forFERNALD;GRIEVE;GUENTHER;JIANGSU;MOORE1;NANJING;TYLER3;USD
26th;YOUNGKEN.
- L. Bauer et al.,Rev. Bras. Farm., 54 , 240
(1973).
- G. S. Gupta and M. Behari,J. Indian Chem.
Soc., 49 , 317 (1972).
- G. S. Gupta and M. Behari,Indian Perfum.,
18 (Pt. 2), 40 (1975).
4. D. L. J. Opdyke,Food Cosmet. Toxicol.,
14 , 713 (1976).
5. J. L. Hartwell,Lloydia, 31 , 71 (1968).
180 Chenopodium oil
