Wormseed and Fungus
Research has consistently shown that wormseed is effective against fungus. The key compound in wormseed, called ascaridoles, is believed to be highly toxic to fungi. At least two separate studies conducted at India’s Banaras Hindu University evaluated the effectiveness of botanical essential oils against fungi that cause skin infections. These studies confirmed that wormseed oil significantly reduces the proliferation of fungi responsible for skin infections in guinea pigs. Further research at the same university examined the efficacy of wormseed oil in controlling fungal growth on stored foods. Unsurprisingly, the oil was found to completely inhibit fungal proliferation in an eco-friendly manner.
Wormseed To Repel Pests
DEET is a common ingredient in many bug sprays and mosquito repellents. While effective, it is also toxic. Wormseed oil, however, has been explored as a natural alternative to DEET. The odor emitted by wormseed acts as an effective repellent against many insects, and some people even plant it in their gardens as an organic, chemical-free pest deterrent.
Snails can be another garden pest and, in some regions, they even spread diseases like schistosomiasis, an intestinal infection caused by a worm. In Brazil, schistosomiasis is known as “snail fever.” Wormseed extract has been identified as an effective method for dealing with snails that transmit schistosomiasis. Additionally, research from China Agricultural University in Beijing has reported that wormseed is toxic to German cockroaches.
Wormseed and Intestinal Invaders
According to the Department of Anthropology at the University of Missouri-Columbia, wormseed is popular in Dominican culture for addressing intestinal invaders. A study involving 72 patients in Peru evaluated the efficacy of wormseed against harmful organisms. The patients were given extracts from the leaves, and their stools were analyzed before and eight days after consumption. The study observed harmful organism toxicity in more than half of the subjects.
Moreover, while many people prefer to keep their own bodies free of harmful organisms, it is also crucial for livestock farmers to keep their animals free of invaders. Researchers in Brazil evaluated the efficacy of a menthol and wormseed combination on goats with roundworms. They found that the substance was able to reduce the larvae population by more than 95%.
