6785. Oil of Chenopodium

Nomenclature

Oil of American wormseed; Chenopodiol (Pohl); Chenoposan; Chenoposetten.

Description and references

Volatile oil from fresh, aboveground parts of flowering and fruiting plant of American wormseed, Chenopodium ambrosioides L. var. anthelminticum (L.) Aellen, Chenopodiaceae also known as Mexican tea, Spanish tea, Jerusalem tea, ambrosia. Habit. Central America, U.S., Canada. Oil contains 60-70% ascaridole, the principal active constituent; p-cymene, α-terpinene, l-limonene, methadiene.

Properties

Colorless or pale yellow liquid; characteristic disagreeable odor and taste. d2525 0.950-0.980. αD20 -4 to -8°. nD20 1.4723-1.4790. Insoluble in water. Sol in 8 vols 70% alcohol; partly sol in glacial acetic acid. Keep well closed, cool and protected from light.

Therapeutic Category

Anthelmintic.

Therapeutic Category (Veterinary)

Anthelmintic.