Wormwood - Health Benefits and Side Effects

Botanical Name of Wormwood: Artemisia absinthium.

Other Common Names:
Absinthium, ajenjo, absinthe wormwood, common wormwood, green ginger, grand wormwood, madderwort, old woman.

Habitat:
Wormwood is indigenous to the temperate climate zones of Europe, northern Africa and western Asia and currently it is cultivated commercially in many parts of the world including central and northwestern United States.

Plant Description:
Wormwood is perennial shrub-like plant of the aster family (Asteraceae). The roots or rhizomes produce firm stems which are covered with fine delicate hairs. The leaves are green with a hint of gray and the flowers are yellow that bloom during summer. The plant can grow up to one and half meters in height or three feet.

Plant Parts Used:
The leaves and the flowering tops - collected in July and August and then dried naturally or by artificial means.

The Wormwood Plant
(Artemisia absinthium)
(Click on image to enlarge)
Attribution:David Monniaux

Wormwood Herb, Powder & Tincture

Organic Wormwood Herb by Starwest Botanicals Wormwood by Oregon's Wild Harvest

Therapeutic Uses, Benefits and Claims of Wormwood

• Wormwood is one of the most bitter herbs there is. Some of the active substances found in wormwood are thujone, silica, tannins, flavonoids and inuline. It also contains the anti-inflammatory agents absinthin and anabsinthine that gives this plant its bitter taste.

The Herb Wormwood
(Artemisia absinthium)
• The bitter substances absithin and anabsinthin are thought to improve digestions and stimulate the digestive system which explains this herb´s use as an herbal remedy for gallbladder, liver and stomach ailments.
• Wormwood has been used traditionally as a natural treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), colds, chronic fever, heartburn and to enhance the immune system. To hide its bitter taste is is usually mixed with other herbs like peppermint which has more agreeable flavor.
• Wormwood has mild anti-infective properties and has been used topically to treat wounds, cuts and bruises to speed the healing process and prevent infection.
• Due to the slight natural anesthetic effect of this herb it has been used to ease pain associated with arthritis and rheumatism.
• An extract made from this herb has been used for centuries as an herbal medicine to rid the body of intestinal worms like roundworms and pin worms hence the name wormwood.
• Wormwood has been used as a traditional remedy to promote menstruation by improving blood circulation. Additionally it has been used for menstrual cramps and to ease pain during labor.
• Because of the bitter properties of wormwood it stimulates appetite and explains why it has sometimes been used to treat anorexia.
• Wormwood is thought to have calming effect and could be helpful to those suffering from epilepsy and muscle spasms and to treat mild forms of depression.
• Not only has this plant its uses as a medicinal herb but wormwood is also used as an insecticide and an insect repellent.
• Wormwood is used as a principal ingredient in the production of the alcoholic drink absinthe. Absinthe has been banned in many countries including the US due to thujone, a chemical found in wormwood, which can be potentially toxic at high levels. Absinthe is still available as an alcoholic beverage in the European Union as long as the thujone content is less than 35 mg/kg.

Dosage and Administration:

Wormwood is mostly taken as a tea or tincture.
Wormwood Tea: 2.5 to 5 grams of the dried herb to 250 ml of boiling water. Steep for ten to fifteen minutes. Tree cups a day is often recommended by herbalists for medical purposes.
Wormwood Tincture: 10-20 drops are added in water and usually taken before meals.

Potential Side Effects of Wormwood

The use of wormwood as a medicinal herb should not exceed four weeks. Because of thujone found in this herb it is considered unsafe if taken in large amounts over long periods of time (over four weeks). Excessive use can cause stomach and intestinal cramps, vomiting, nausea, dizziness, headaches and nerve damage. Women who are breastfeeding or pregnant should not take wormwood in any form. Those who are sensitive to plants in the Asteraceae family can get allergic reaction to wormwood. Plants in this family include marigolds, daisies and ragweed to name a few. People who are on drugs (Anticonvulsants) used to prevent seizures should not use wormwood as it may interact with those medication. Wormwood should only be taken under the guidance of a professional health care provider who is knowledgeable in herbal medicine.

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