Epazote grows basically all over the world. It is used extensively in mexican and south american cooking and used medicinally as a wormer. It has a rather unusual odor that is odd and wonderful at the same time. I like it in mexican food, quesidillas, tamales and the such. Whenever I see it growing wild I pick it and feed it to the girls. I wonderif it has a "deworming" factor if you feed it to hens. Any ideas? http://www.ask.com/web?l=dis&qsrc=999&siteid=13749&o=13749&q=epazote&ifr=1
Old post, but I thought I'd add my experience. I have a wild piece of my yard that was ta'en by epazote. I was surprised when a few of my new pullets got into it and seemed happy to consume. They have even taught the old birds to give it a try. After hearing about some toxicity in humans I took a look here, but found only this post. I now pull up what I find and toss it to them. They almost always start in on it happily, but there is also always some left, so they seem to be self-regulating. Early in the Spring, when there is less green around, they eat more - too much and the strong taste comes through the eggs, so be warned. As for use as a wormer, it is used, but dosage is vague. I have not had any parasite troubles with my hens, but I'll not credit the weed without better evidence.
