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Mountain Views-News Saturday July 12, 2025 


CHRISTOPHER Nyerges 

 [Nyerges is an educator and the author of over two dozen books including “Urban Survival 
Guide,” “Extreme Simplicity,” “Foraging Californai,” and other books. More information at www.
SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com. ]

GETTING TO KNOW EPAZOTE

The past two weeks 
you saw two of the 
three kitten siblings, 
brothers Jack and 
Cinco. 

This week we present 
their sister, MERMY. 
Mermy first came to 
us with loud meows, 
so is named after Ethel 
Merman, the great 
actress and singer known for her powerful voice. 
Mermy has the most beautiful markings--must see 
in purrson, and she and her brothers love to zoom 
& wrestle with each other. We prefer that you adopt 
2 together or have another young kitten at home. 

These cuties are a 
hoot, and will cheer 
anyone up! 

This age is also fine to be introduced to a nice doggie. We take 
care of vaccines, spay & neuter, testing, microchips, and more! 

Please go to our website to submit your application to meet 
them, https://www.lifelineforpets.org/babies.html. Hurry and 
don’t miss out on their kitten cuteness! Born 4/1/25.

 
EPAZOTE (Dysphania ambrosiodes) 
(formerly Chenopodium 
ambrosiodes). Also known 
as Mexican tea or wormseed. 
Member of the Goosefoot Family

 

Epazote is a wonderful herb to know, which has been 
used in Mexican cookery for centuries. 

According to Gene Matlock, the founder of The 
Institute of Herbal Philosophy, which fo-cuses upon 
Mexican herbalism, “Epazote is one of the greatest 
anti-flatulents. A small sprig of this plant can turn 
beans into a gourmet delight with only minimal 
‘wind break-age’ afterwards. Use it sparingly, however, 
because large quantities will impart a bitter 
taste to beans.”

 

DESCRIPTION

Probably the most distinctive aspect of epazote is its unique aroma – a blind man should be able to identify 
it! When seen for the first time, it might appear as a somewhat ragged and darker green lambs quarter (to 
which it’s related).

Epazote has a branched stem which can reach up to about three feet. The shiny-green leaves are elliptical, 
two to five inches long, and sometimes reddish tinged or blotched. The uniquely aromatic leaves are arranged 
alternately. The undulating leaf margin is slightly or entirely toothed. The leaf surface is hairless, 
although it may be slightly tomen-tose when very young.

 

According to Altadena resident, Professor Miguel Gutierrez, “Epazote is a prevalent plant in Mexican culture 
and cooking. I grow it in my garden here in Altadena, where it grows very easily. In fact, it's a prolific 
seeder so once it grows in your garden and it goes to seed, it's pretty safe to say you'll have it around for many 
years to come. It's not uncom-mon to find it here in Southern California where it has become naturalized in 
some areas. My family lives in Nebraska where the epazote seeds survive the harsh winters and come back 
each year to repopulate the garden.”

 

USES

According to herbalist Michael Moore (author of “Medicinal Plants”), “The leaves and seeds of epazote are a 
classic Mexican bean spice. It is called for in many traditional reci-pes, both to reduce the flatus levels, and 
to jazz up the taste.”

Epazote has long been popular in Central and South American and Mexican cookery as a culinary spice, 
especially in bean dishes since it prevents gas.

According to Dr. James Adams, author of “Healing with Medicinal Plants of the West,” “Two of the treasures 
from Mexico are the prickly pear cactus and the epazote herb. I al-ways add fresh epazote on top of my 
black bean dishes.”

PROCESSING

Though fresh leaves can be added to dishes, the plant is usually dried first, which some-what mellows the 
fragrance. The dried leaves are then crumbled into the pot of beans, or stew, shortly before being served.

According to Miguel Gutierrez, “Epazote is frequently used as a flavoring agent for beans, but by far, my 
favorite use of epazote is to make quesadillas. There's a particular style of quesadillas that's very popular in 
Mexico which includes flor de cal-abaza (squash/zucchini flowers), epazote, sautéed onions and fresh serrano 
chiles. It has a very strong scent and potent flavor which I really like. When you first bite into the raw 
leaf you get a rush of "minty" freshness through your mouth. It has a bit of "bite" in it and can have a slightly 
bitter aftertaste. This very strong flavor is what gives these quesadillas their signature taste. The potent flavors 
of epazote and chiles are tempered by the more subtle flavor of the flor de calabaza.

 

ADVICE FOR GROWING

Epazote can 
be successfully 
grown from cuttings 
that have 
been rooted in 
good soil or vermiculite, 
however, 
most gardeners 
start them from 
seed. Soak the 
seeds for a few 
hours in water 
before planting, 
and then plant 
them in a flat, 
or directly into 
the gar-den. The 
seeds seem to take 
longer than other 
seeds to sprout, 
and gardeners often 
for-get they 
even planted the 
seeds. So make 
sure to label your 
plantings.

 MEDICINE/NUTRITION

Besides as a way to prevent or stop excessive gas, herbalist Gene Matlock says “Epazote is also excellent for 
expelling worms from the body. The tea is also an excellent cure of the nerves and digestive organs. Epazote 
has become one of the most highly valued herbs in the Chinese materia medica. The Chinese use it as a diaphoretic, 
to strengthen the eyes and the circulation, to cure coughing up blood, and for dysentery.” Matlock 
ad-vises that one take this either in powder form or infused into a tea.

Dolores Miller-Nyerges of Los Angeles reported positive results with using epazote to rid cats and dogs of 
worms. She simply sprinkled a small amount of the dried and powdered leaves into their food. She also 
discovered that when she put epazote seeds and leaves in her chickens’ water, it prevented some diseases 
common to fowl.

 

WHERE TO OBTAIN

You can find sources of the seed and leaf on-line.

Julie Balaa is an urban farmer who sells plants at the Highland Park farmers market every Tuesday, and she 
sells the seeds, dried herbs, and the living plants when she has them available. 

Another source for epazote is Survival Seeds, Post Office Box 41-834, Los Angeles, CA 90041, for $4 per 
seed packet (price includes postage).

 

RECIPES: COOKING WITH EPAZOTE

Cooking with epazote is easy! Add approx. one tablespoon of the herb -- both the chopped stems and the 
leaves -- to a pot of beans. You can use it fresh or dried. The epazote herb can also be added to soups, stews, 
and made into tea. The powdered leaves can be added to salads, such as potato and bean salads. 

Here is a simple recipe I've developed for using epazote.

 

MAYA BLACK BEAN SOUP

1 cup black beans 

sage, pinch

water 

oregano, pinch

3 onions 

epazote, two tsp.

3 small potatoes 

salt and pepper, to taste

Cook the beans first for about an hour until tender. Then add the onions and potatoes, and cook until tender. 
Add the seasonings. Let simmer on low temperature for 15 minutes before serving.


A View of the epazote plant

Pet of the Week

 


Blue is a three-year-old fawn pit bull with 
a big heart and a dash of mischief. After 
coming to Pasadena Humane during 
the Eaton Fire, Blue was understandably 
nervous and unsure. With a lot of patient 
care, he’s grown into a loyal, affectionate 
companion. 

His foster family describes him as a well-
adjusted indoor dog - he's fully house-
trained, gentle at mealtimes, and happiest 
when snuggled close to you or chasing after 
a toy.

Blue would thrive in a home without 
other animals and ideally with adults 
or older children who can provide a structured environment. He’s still working on 
leash manners and can be reactive toward other dogs, so a private yard or balcony for 
potty breaks would be a helpful plus.If you’re home often and looking for a loving, 
loyal sidekick who just needs a little understanding, Blue might be your perfect 
match!Pasadena Humane is excited to promote “Hot Dog Summer”, taking place from 
July 9 to July 20, where adoption fees will be waived for all available adult dogs, six 
months and older.Outside of this promotion, the adoption fee for dogs is $150. 

All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines. 
Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 10:00 – 5:00. View photos of adoptable 
pets at pasadenahumane.org. 

 New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA 
Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for 
your pet. 

 Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by 
phone calls or email.

 
Urban farmer Julie Balaa with a sprig of epazote


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com