Description
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)
Wormwood is a traditional herbal medicine valued for its bitter tonic, digestive and bile-supporting properties. It has a long history of use in herbal medicine and is also known as the main ingredient in the highly alcoholic French spirit, absinthe.
Wormwood has traditionally been used to support healthy digestion, appetite and intestinal wellbeing. It has also been used for intestinal worm infestations, fever and infections, as well as women’s reproductive concerns involving delayed or suppressed menstruation.
Traditionally, Wormwood has been used in a wide range of conditions, most of which have been vindicated by analysis of the herb.
It is primarily used as a bitter and therefore has the effect of stimulating and invigorating the whole of the digestive process.
It may be used where there is indigestion, especially when due to a deficient quantity or quality of gastric juice.
Wormwood is a powerful remedy in the treatment of worm infestations, especially round worm and pinworm.
It may also be used to help the body deal with fever and infections.
Due to the general tonic action it will be of benefit in many diverse conditions because it benefits the body in general.
What Wormwood May Support
Wormwood has traditionally been used to support:
- Healthy appetite and digestive function
- Digestive comfort, including indigestion and flatulence
- Intestinal wellbeing and comfort associated with Crohnโs disease
- Healthy intestinal balance in cases of worm infestations, particularly roundworm and pinworm
- Healthy liver and bile function
- Respiratory comfort through its expectorant properties
- Healthy inflammatory balance
- Fever and infection support
- Healthy fluid balance around the time of menstruation
- Menstrual and reproductive wellbeing
Key Constituents
Wormwood contains naturally occurring compounds, including essential oils such as thujone, bitter sesquiterpene lactones, absinthin isomers, bitter compounds such as artemisinin, phenolic acids, flavonoids and coumarins.
Important Information
Wormwood is traditionally described as having cooling, warming and dry energetics.
Wormwood is contraindicated during pregnancy. It should not be taken continuously for longer than three to four weeks.
Wormwood is contraindicated in people with gastric or duodenal ulcers or a known sensitivity to wormwood or plants in the Asteraceae (Compositae) family.
Caution is advised when using wormwood alongside anticonvulsant medicines.
If you take prescription medicines, have an existing medical condition or have a known allergy to the Asteraceae family, seek advice from a qualified healthcare practitioner before use.
For more detailed information about Wormwood, including its traditional uses, constituents, research and clinical considerations, please see the full herbal monograph.
Read More: Wormwood (Artemisia annua)_Summary
