Epazote
Chenopodium ambrosioides · Amaranthaceae
How it looks
Epazote is an herb with narrow, long toothed leaves arranged alternately that give off a strong, pungent scent when crushed. Small green flowers gather spike-like along the stem. It stands 24–39 in (60 cm–1 m) tall and is commonly used as a seasoning.
Caution — monitor for GI symptoms
Epazote can cause vomiting and liver damage if eaten in large amounts. Small exposures usually resolve on their own, but repeated exposure or large amounts should be avoided.
Guide for parents
An occasional nibble on Epazote rarely leads to serious trouble, but its ascaridole can irritate the stomach and mucous membranes, causing mild gastrointestinal upset. Make a habit of clearing away fallen leaves and broken stems the same day, and keep the pot somewhere your cat can't reach. If symptoms last more than 12 hours or your cat shows a marked loss of appetite, consult your vet.
If ingested
Contact your nearest vet immediately
- Onset
- 1–4 hours after ingestion
- Symptoms
- Vomiting, liver damage
- Action
- Consult a vet and monitor. Go in immediately if symptoms worsen.
Details
- Scientific name
- Chenopodium ambrosioides
- Common name
- Epazote
- Family
- Amaranthaceae
- Toxic parts
- All parts
- Compounds
- Ascaridole
- Onset
- 1–4 hours after ingestion
- Symptoms
- Vomiting, liver damage
- Action
- Consult a vet and monitor. Go in immediately if symptoms worsen.
- Source
- ASPCA
