wormseed

[ wurm-seed ]

noun

1. the dried, unexpanded flower heads of a wormwood, Artemisia cina Levant wormseed, or the fruit of certain goosefoots, especially Chenopodium anthelminticum (or C. ambrosioides ), the Mexican tea or American wormseed, used as an anthelmintic drug.
2. any of these plants.

wormseed

/ ˈwɜːmˌsiːd /

noun

1. any of various plants having seeds or other parts used in medicine to treat worm infestation, esp an American chenopodiaceous plant, Chenopodium anthelminticum (or C. ambrosioides ) ( American wormseed ), and the santonica plant
2. the part of any of these plants that is used as an anthelmintic

Word History and Origins

Origin of wormseed¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, wormseed is from the Middle English word wyrmsed. See worm, seed

Example Sentences

Take wormseed, half a drachm, flour of sulphur, a drachm; mix and make a powder.

From Project Gutenberg

Castor oil, also alone or with a few drops of the oil of turpentine or of wormseed, is also an effectual remedy.

From Project Gutenberg

Wormseed, or the seed of Chenopodium anthelminticum, has been a favorite remedy for the round-worm, especially in children.

From Project Gutenberg