Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

American Wormseed (Dysphania ambrosioides, formerly Chenopodium ambrosioides) has a history of traditional use in herbal medicine, particularly in the Americas, as a remedy for various digestive complaints, including colic in adults. Historical texts and ethnobotanical sources indicate that indigenous peoples and early settlers employed wormseed as a carminative and antispasmodic, aiming to relieve intestinal cramps, flatulence, and abdominal pain—symptoms commonly associated with colic. The plant's volatile oils, especially ascaridole, were believed to contribute to these effects. However, contemporary scientific studies directly evaluating its efficacy and safety for adult colic are lacking. Modern reviews caution about the toxicity of wormseed oil, especially at higher doses, due to compounds like ascaridole. Thus, while there is some traditional precedent for its use in treating colic, this practice is not supported by robust scientific evidence or clinical trials, and concerns about safety significantly limit its recommendation in modern herbal medicine. Current guidelines do not endorse wormseed for this indication, and its traditional use is considered of low evidentiary value.

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