Epazote

Epazote is an herb well-known to Mexican and Caribbean cooking. The name comes from the Aztec (Nahuatl) epazotl. It is also known as pigweed or Mexican tea and is frequently regarded as a garden pest. It is most commonly used in black bean recipes to ward off some of the "negative" side affects of eating beans. Much like cilantro, it is referred to as an "acquired taste". The herb is quite pungent and some say it smells like gasoline or kerosene.

Epazote (chenopodium ambrosioides) was brought to Europe in the 17th century from Mexico and used in various traditional medicines. The herb was used by the Aztecs as a medicine as well as a culinary herb.

Epazote can normally be found fresh in Mexican grocery stores or is available air-dried. One teaspoon of dried epazote leaves is equivalent to about one branch, or 7 fresh leaves. Fresh epazote leaves can be placed in a plastic bag and stored for up to 1 week. You can air-dry the fresh leaves and store in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. 

Buy Online
Purchase dried epazote online at GourmetSleuth.com.

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Medicinal Uses

Epazote contains compounds which actually act as an anti-gas agent ( referred to as a carminative, which means it reduces gas) when cooked with beans. It's chief use was as an agent to expel intestinal hookworms (wormseed). According to Jessica Houdret (The Ultimate Book of Herbs and Herb Gardening) it has also been "recommended for nervous disorders, asthma, and problems with menstruation). CAUTION: This herb is poisonous in large does.

Rick Bayless's (in his book "Authentic Mexican") describes this herb as the well-known essential ingredient in Mexican black bean recipes as well as in quesadillas and some moles (moh-LAYS). 

Substitutions
If you don't have access to epazote, or you simply don't like the flavor you can just omit it from the recipe. No herb has a similiar flavor but like epazote, "savory" compliments the flavor Other complimentary additions include cilantro or parsley. Another option is ajwan seeds, commonly used in Indian cooking. (Foodsubs.com)