Overview

Artemisia absinthium commonly known as Wormwood, absinthium, Absinthe, grand and common wormwood, absinthe wormwood, green ginger, madderwort, old woman grande wormwood and ajenjo is the odorous perennial herb of Compositae family more commonly known as the daisy family and belong to the genus Artemisia. The genus Artemisia has more than 180 related species including the Mugwort, Sea Wormwood and the Field Wormwood. The plant is native to temperate regions of Eurasia and Northern Africa and extensively naturalized in Canada and the northern United States.

The whole family is notable for the extreme bitterness of all parts of the plant: ‘as bitter as Wormwood’ is a very ancient proverb. It has a narcotic property and due to wormwood herb aroma and bitterness, it is commonly used in a number of alcoholic beverages preparation for adding intoxication and flavor. It is used in beers, absinth, martini, vermouth, campari, and pastis. The bitter taste of wormwood comes from absinthin and artabsin present in the herb.

Health Benefits of Wormwood

Apart from being used as an ingredient in absinthe, wormwood has traditionally been used to treat various illnesses including digestive conditions, fevers, and dyspepsia and liver conditions. These days it is becoming more and more popular to treat conditions which include the following:

1. Beats Malaria

Malaria is a severe disease caused by a parasite that is spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes and attacks human red blood cells. Artemisinin is an extract isolated from the plant wormwood. Artemisinin is a herbal drug that is considered the most powerful antimalarial on the market. It’s known for quickly reducing the number of parasites in the blood of patients with malaria. The World Health Organization recommends artemisinin-based combination therapies as first-line treatment for uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria.

2. Stimulating the Digestive System

Wormwood has been used to treat many problems relating to the digestive system. It is used to relieve indigestion and also to encourage better digestion because of its ability to promote the production of bile and support gallbladder and liver health. It is particularly effective when it is combined with another digestive herb like ginger or peppermint.

3. Fever

Wormwood is used to bring down high temperatures due to fever. The herb works by inducing sweating in patients suffering from high fever. It also helps in reducing fever that is caused by the actions of intestinal parasites.

4. To Kill Worms and Parasites

Wormwood is quite beneficial to destroy harmful parasites found in the body. It is considered one of the affordable herbal medicines for the people of developing countries who cannot afford the high cost of pharmaceuticals. It is capable of destroying numerous parasites including pinworms and roundworms.

According to research wormwood helps to produce an intestinal environment that is deadly to parasites and other dangerous organisms.

5. For Anxiety

Wormwood has mild anti-anxiety effects and many people use it to help overcome the symptoms of stress and anxiety. There is however little scientific research to confirm its use for anxiety so use it cautiously.

6. To Stimulate the Appetite

Wormwood has traditionally been used as a tonic to encourage appetite which is especially important following an illness. The recommended amount to help improve your appetite is between 10 and 20 drops of liquid extract mixed into a glass of water and drunk around 15 minutes before every meal.

7. Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome is a very common condition that affects the colon and can cause several horrible symptoms including cramping, bloating, abdominal pains, diarrhea and constipation.

Some people succeed in treating many of these symptoms with wormwood either alone or in combination with other herbal remedies. Research also shows that wormwood combined with other herbs was effective against the symptoms of abdominal complaints like nausea, heartburn and intestinal spasms.

8. To Stimulate Menstruation

Wormwood has natural emmenagogue properties which mean that it can help stimulate menstruation and help regulate the cycle of menstruation. This may be desirable because herbal emmenagogue preparations like wormwood can be used as an emergency contraceptive or as a natural treatment for infrequent menstruation.

9. Crohn’s Disease

Research has suggested that wormwood can improve the symptoms in Crohn’s disease. Its regular consumption for 2 – 3 months can help lowering symptoms of the disease and reducing steroid dosage.

Other Traditional uses and benefits of Wormwood

• It is an extremely useful medicine for those with weak and under-active digestion.
• It increases stomach acid and bile production, improving digestion and the absorption of nutrients.
• It also eases wind and bloating and, if taken regularly, helps the body return to full vitality after a prolonged illness.
• Leaves and flowering shoots are anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitumor, carminative, cholagogue, emenagogue, febrifuge, hypnotic, stimulant, stomachic, tonic and vermifuge.
• Extremely bitter leaves are chewed to stimulate the appetite.
• Leaves have been used with some success in the treatment of anorexia nervosa.
• The plant is applied externally to bruises and bites.
• A warm compress has been used to ease sprains and strained muscles.
• Homoeopathic remedy is made from the leaves.
• It is used to stimulate bile and gastric juice production and to treat disorders of the liver and gallbladder.
• Mix fresh wormwood juice with a little honey and put over the eyes to improve vision.
• Mix wormwood with an equal amount of lemon balm, it helps to stimulate the nerves and brain.
• If you wash your eyes with the wormwood tea 2-3 times a day it strengthens vision.
• Steam from wormwood let will help celiac and painful ear and can also calm a toothache.

Precautions

• The plant is poisonous if used in large quantities.
• Even small quantities have been known to cause nervous disorders, convulsions, insomnia etc.
• Just the scent of the plant has been known to cause headaches and nervousness in some people.
• Avoid if prone to seizures.
• Avoid during pregnancy & breastfeeding.
• Absinthism adverse effects include hallucinations, insomnia, loss of intellect, psychosis, tremor & seizures.
• The plant should be taken internally in small doses for short-term treatment only, preferably under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.
• It should not be prescribed for children.
• The use of wormwood as a medicinal herb should not exceed four weeks.
  

References

• https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=35445#null
• https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=4274
• http://www.pfaf.org/User/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Artemisia+absinthium
• http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a938
• http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/w/wormwo37.html
• https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=arab3
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemisia_absinthium