In this study, a review of the possible components and mechanisms of action of a preparation made with paico, (Dysphania multifida) a plant collected in this area of Gobernador Gregores, Santa Cruz, Argentina, (48.75 S - 70.24 W), is carried out. This preparation is used mainly as a digestive. Dysphania multifida, formerly known as Chenopodium ambrosioides, is a plant that grows wild throughout the country and is called "paico" by local people. The preparation is a decoction, obtained from the aerial part of the totally crushed vegetable. The objective of this test was to find, in vitro, the pharmacological properties of the decoction of D. multifida. In the School Laboratory of the Scool Agropecuaria N ° 1 tests were carried out to estimate the activity of the decoction: 1.- Hydrodistillation of essential oil and 2.- Biuret reaction. In the hydrodistillation, 0.5% of the essential oil was obtained, which contains α-terpinene, p-cimene and ascaridol (48 to 61%) as main constituents. The results of the Biuret reaction indicated that the breaking of the peptide bonds at the level of the amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine of the protein give polypeptides, specific reagents for the Biuret reaction. It is concluded in this first approach to the subject that according to the chemical determinations developed in vitro in this study, the decoction of D. multifida contained essential oils with components that explain its stimulating action on gastric secretions and spasmolytic action, but also substances that act stimulating digestion, through a proteolytic action.