Wormwood

Wormwood is more than just the surname to one of our favourite Roald Dahl classic books, it’s also a herb that grows in the arid and rocky areas of Europe and Northern America.

Did you know its other name is called Absinthium, due to its active ingredient absinthol? This is used in the popular French spirit, Absinthe. But more than a literary surname and spirit ingredient, Wormwood alone has many health benefits.

What is Wormwood?

Wormwood grows in bunches with grey leaves and pale-yellow flowers with Wormwood leaves being covered in oil producing glands. Wormwood may be known for being one of the most bitter of the medicinal plants, however the benefits are worth it.

Wormwood has a long history of use which dates back to Ancient Greece. The legend says that the name of the plant is attributed to Artemis, the Hellenic Goddess of wilderness, childbirth, protector of young girls and healer of diseases, testifying Wormwood possesses many healing properties.¹

Wormwood is also known in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and was used to treat malaria, hair loss and promote lifespan.

What are the Health Benefits of Wormwood?

Current studies of Wormwood have shown potential effectiveness in treating a number of diseases. Here are details of the health benefits of Wormwood:

Digestive Disorder Help

Due to its strong and bitter flavour, the herb sends signals to the brain and stimulates the entire digestive system, including gastric acid production and intestinal tract movement. Some studies found the bitter constituents of Wormwood stimulate the gustatory nerves in the mouth and increase the secretion of gastric juices and bile.²It stimulates the release of bile from the liver, storage of bile in the gallbladder and secretions from other intestinal glands. This property enhances the body’s ability to digest food.¹The essential oil of Wormwood acts as an antispasmodic in small amounts, however, high dosages or longer-lasting intake can become convulsant poison.²

Anti-Helminthic Effects on Parasites

The Wormwood oil, rich in thujone from Absinthium, has an effective anthelmintic effect. The plant is a rich source of sesquiterpene lactones and flavonoids that can create anthelminthic activity with a low risk of toxicity.²Some studies found that the aqueous extract of the fresh leaves of Wormwood given with a sugar solution on an empty stomach for 8-10 days may help expel worms, especially roundworms. Other studies showed that ethanolic extracts of Wormwood may significantly reduce egg development and juvenile larval motility of roundworms.³

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Wormwood is known for its traditional use to treat some painful and inflammatory conditions due to the flavonoids in its composition² as well as sesquiterpenoids, coumarins, lipids, phenolics, purines, steroids, triterpenoids, aliphatics and artemisinin.⁴Some studies show that artemisinin, one of the main beneficial compounds of Wormwood, has been widely used for the treatment of malaria for the past two decades.⁴Additionally, artemisinin is known to have antibacterial, antifungal, antileishmanial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.⁴ Some findings show the effectiveness of Wormwood extract against periodontal disease, a complex chronic inflammatory disorder that can result in periodontal destruction, pain, alveolar bone resorption and even tooth loss.⁵As inflammation is a root of many chronic diseases, Wormwood’s anti-inflammatory properties, contribute to the treatment of many inflammation-associated disorders like rheumatism, arthritis, high cholesterol and dementia. Also, it acts as a painkiller for patients with arthritis.⁶

Anti-Cancer Activity

Some studies found that artemisinin and its derivatives show promising results as an anticancer pharmacological intervention as it affects free radicals.⁷

Anti-Nociceptive Effects

Some researchers discovered that Wormwood has a substantial post-operative antinociceptive effect. The studies demonstrated that the administration of analgesics like paracetamol could be significantly reduced if Wormwood was taken in the pre-operative phase.⁸

Insecticide Effects

Some essential oils of Wormwood can be poisonous to some animals and insects. These properties make the plant an effective herbal insecticide and insect repellent. It can be used in sprays, vapourisers and fumigants to have this effect.⁹

Help With Nervous Afflictions

The essential oils of the Wormwood plant, if used in moderate amounts, may calm nervous afflictions, epileptic and hysteric attacks, convulsions, stress, tension and insomnia.¹⁰

Aphrodisiac Effects

In pagan times, the Celtic and Germanic people used Wormwood as a herbal agent to increase sexual potency with this custom also being preserved in more recent times.

There is evidence that the use of Wormwood in flower garlands during various festivals, affected sexual desire.¹¹The plant was added to beverages as an aphrodisiac, and studies have found that the use of the herb, for its aphrodisiac effects is quite reasonable. Thujone, a compound of Wormwood, gives physical and mental relaxation to the body and so boosts sexual desire as well as the ability to enjoy a partner’s attention.¹¹

Is Wormwood Safe?

Wormwood is not recommended for pregnant women, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy, because of its potential hazards. Some studies found that artemisinin may have a toxic effect on the embryo.

Other negative side effects are also possible like abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Also, some allergic reactions may occur such as rashes and irritation.

If taken for an extended period, patients may experience cardiovascular changes like bradycardia.

Thujone, being a compound of Wormwood, may increase the body’s production of chemicals called porphyrins. This process could make porphyria (abnormal metabolism of the blood pigment haemoglobin) worse. Also, thujone can make seizures more likely in people who are prone to them.

It’s advised to take Wormwood in moderation and with caution, however, its many health benefits make Wormwood a wonderful natural remedy for relief from many ailments and afflictions.

Properties

Anti-Bacterial⁹
Anti-Fungal⁹
Anti-Inflammatory⁴^,⁶
Anti-Parasitic²^,³
Anti-Stress¹⁰
Antioxidant²
Anxiety¹⁰
Aphrodisiac¹¹
Arthritis⁶
Cancer Prevention⁷
Cholesterol²^,⁴
Dementia Prevention⁶
Digestive Function²
Gall Bladder Support¹
Hair Growth and Support⁵
High/Good Levels of Flavonoids²
Immune Booster²^,⁷
Insomnia & Sleep Support¹⁰
Libido & Sexual Performance¹¹
Liver Health¹^,²
Malaria Support²^,³
Nervine¹⁰
Oral Health⁵
Pain Relief⁸

References