Re: [gardeners] In preparation for Green Thighs
George Shirley (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Mon, 01 Jun 1998 18:58:50
At 03:48 PM 6/1/98 -0600, you wrote:
>At 02:50 PM 6/1/98 +0000, you wrote:
>>Marianne wrote:
>>
>>> I'm a little confused though...I was under the impression that you're not
>>> supposed to actually ingest epazote, especially 4 tablespoons worth. Or is
>>> that caution just for us northern yuppie chef types? :-)
>>
>>Epazote has been a staple in seasoning of Latin American food for long,
>>long time. It's also listed as one of the preventatives for gas formation
>>associated with the ingestion of beans (now, isn't that a delicate way of
>>putting it?). I am no expert, but can't think of any reference to epazote
>>being toxic. It's a member of the goosefoot family....chenopodium
>>ambosides (wow, I actually knew that one; I may faint) and is generally
>>listed along with the other pot herbs in this family and genus.
>>
>>Anybody have any references to epazote being bad for you?
>>
>>Catharine
>>
>As long as we're on the subject of euphemisms, it's also a vermifuge. Now
>Catharine, that's nothing like a refuge for verms. Epazote kills verms.
>Some say epazote is mixed in milk and sugar for a vermifuge, and Sugar,
>that would kill my appetite for the next millenium. Plus kill any verms
>sauntering around in my intestinal mazes. Some also say that pregnant
>women shouldn't eat it, and that it's a "menstrual stimulant," whatever
>that is. Does it provoke a menstrual period? Would it precipitate a
>menstrual period if your body wasn't ready for one? Does it make you more
>enthusiastic about falling off the roof?
>
>Epazote has a long history of use in moderation, and well, gee, nobody ever
>talks about Montezuma blowing bubbles...Margaret, who has three baby
>epazote plants in an east herb bed.
>
Not only that but epazote means something like "smelly little animal" in
one of the Indian dialects of Mexico, or so Madelyn Hill says.
By the way Margaret, do you need more? I have about a dozen plants up and
growing and a couple are already going to seed. Gotta buy me some really
gassy pinto beans to try it in. The Pakistani's that worked for me in the
Middle East swore by fresh ginger root in their beans to prevent gas.
Speaking of ginger, my Hidden Ginger is up and growing and my "store"
ginger has multiplied five-fold, can harvest some as I need it now. "Store"
ginger is ugly as Jimbo but it's what they sell in the markets.
George, hiding from the heat, 95F again today and no relief or rain in
sight. Only 2 more days until Miz Anne gets home. Just in time for the corn
dance.