Wormwood Health Benefits: All You Need to Know About Artemisia Absinthium
Although wormwood is best known as the primary ingredient in the alcoholic drinks vermouth and absinthe, the plant has also been used for therapeutic purposes for centuries. Most common wormwood health benefits include alleviating pain and swelling, aiding digestion, combating intestinal worms, and preventing skin infections. Wanna know more? Keep on reading.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common wormwood health benefits along with possible side effects and necessary precautions. But before we get into how wormwood can help with managing health issues, we’ll need to learn exactly what it is and what medicinal properties it holds. So, let’s dig a little deeper.
What Is Wormwood?
Wormwood, scientifically known as Artemisia absinthium, is a fascinating perennial herb with a rich history and a wide array of potential health benefits. This hardy plant, with its silvery-green leaves and tiny yellow flowers, has been a staple in traditional medicine for centuries, earning both reverence and controversy along the way.
Native to temperate regions of Eurasia and North Africa, wormwood has spread its roots far and wide. It now grows wild in various parts of the world, including North America, where it was introduced by early European settlers. The plant thrives in a variety of climates and soil conditions, from sunny meadows to rocky hillsides, demonstrating its adaptability and resilience.
Wormwood's use in medicine dates back to ancient times. The Greek physician Hippocrates was one of the first to recognize artemisia absinth benefits and prescribed it for menstrual pain and rheumatism. In medieval Europe, it was one of the key ingredients in theriac, a purported panacea. Perhaps most famously, wormwood was the key ingredient in absinthe, the notorious spirit of 19th-century bohemian culture.
Today, wormwood is available in various forms:
- Dried herb: Used to make teas or infusions.
- Wormwood tincture: Concentrated liquid extracts.
- Wormwood capsules: For easier consumption of the dried, powdered herb.
- Essential oil: Used in aromatherapy and topical applications.
As interest in wormwood benefits grows, sustainable cultivation practices are crucial. The plant is relatively easy to grow and can be a valuable addition to herb gardens, providing not only medicinal benefits but also acting as a natural pest deterrent.
Wormwood Compounds and Properties
Wormwood contains numerous biologically active plant compounds, including
The potency of wormwood benefits lies in its complex chemical composition. It contains several bioactive compounds, including:
- Artemisinin: A sesquiterpene lactone with powerful antimalarial properties.
- Thujone: A monoterpene known for its psychoactive effects (and the reason for absinthe's reputation).
- Absinthin: Responsible for the plant's intense bitterness.
- Various flavonoids and phenolic acids with antioxidant properties.
According to a review published in the Plants in 2020, wormwood and the active compounds it contains have been shown to possess a wide range of medicinal properties including antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective as well as others. The potential artemisia absinth benefits seem to come from the biological activities of its compounds.
Wormwood Health Benefits
Wormwood is medicinally used for many purposes, especially in non-Western medicinal practices, including traditional Indian medicine Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine. Here are some of the wormwood benefits:
Wormwood Benefits May Help Alleviate Pain
Wormwood has significant pain-relieving properties. The plant has historically been used to manage muscle and joint pain, premenstrual pain, and pain from labor.
One pilot study in Clinical Rheumatology investigating the effectiveness and safety of wormwood extract in managing pain reported that individuals who took 150 mg of wormwood extract every day for 12 weeks had lesser pain and associated symptoms caused by inflammation in the knee and hip joints compared to the placebo group.
Wormwood Benefits May Help Fight Against Parasitic Infections
The use of wormwood to fight against parasitic infections is recorded from ancient times. Like many antiparasitic herbs, the plant has long been used to kill intestinal worms like tapeworms as well as other parasites. This activity is due to the major active compound, thujone.
A 2018 comparative study in the Journal of Helminthology showed that wormwood extract has the capacity to fight against common intestinal tapeworms such as Hymenolepis nana.
Wormwood Benefits May Help Reduce Inflammation
Wormwood is also one of the best herbs for inflammation. Multiple studies have shown that wormwood contains plant compounds such as artemisinin that have significant anti-inflammatory activities. For example, one 2015 study in the Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology showed that extract derived from wormwood contains anti-inflammatory substances and can be used in pharmaceutical products.
Wormwood Benefits May Help Fight Against Bacteria and Fungus
Wormwood has been found to possess powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties. Studies suggest that wormwood has activity against fungi like Candida albicans and bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus.
Wormwood Benefits May Aid in Digestion
Research shows that wormwood may help increase the production of bile, which in turn may help improve digestion and ease digestive symptoms such as indigestion and flatulence. This makes wormwood one of the most sought-after herbs for digestion as well as herbs for gut health.
How to Harness Wormwood Benefits
Wormwood is available in various forms including dried herbs, teas, tablets, capsules, and liquid tinctures. There are no specific guidelines for using it in any form. It can be used both internally as well as externally. Be sure to consult with a registered medical provider prior to using it.
In general, for dried herb capsules, 2 capsules can be taken 2 to 3 times a day. For liquid tinctures, 15 drops to 30 drops are often recommended with a glass of water or juice.
Side Effects and Precautions When Harnessing Wormwood Health Benefits
Taking wormwood is possibly safe. However, overdoses may cause adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sleeping issues, restlessness, and seizures. Wormwood contains thujone, which might have toxic effects. Therefore, fresh wormwood should be taken with caution. Make sure you choose wormwood products that are “thujone-free.”
Besides, wormwood may interact with certain medications. Therefore, it’s always best to consult with a registered medical provider before using wormwood, especially if you have any existing health condition and are taking medications.
Explore Wormwood Benefits Today
As we saw in this article, there are many wormwood benefits to harness. Wormwood is an ancient herb that has been used in medicine for centuries. Common wormwood health benefits include relieving pain, reducing inflammation, and fighting against parasitic infections. People with underlying health conditions should consult their healthcare providers prior to using wormwood supplements.
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