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Information about the herb Wormwood
Artemisia absinthium , also known as Absinthe is part of the Compositae plant family. Wormwood is native
to Siberia and Europe, but was introduced into North America and now grows mainly
in temperate regions of the eastern parts.
The Wormwoods are members of the Compositae Family and belong to the genus Artemisia, of which there are 180 species.
Botanical Name: Artemisia absinthium
Plant Family: Compositae
Common Names: Absinthe (French), Ajenjo (Spanish), Common Wormwood, Old Woman
History: Common Wormwood was held in high esteem as a medicine by the ancients.
- In the Bible the 'bitterness' of Wormwood is compared to 'sin'
- Mexicans celebrated their great Festival of the Goddess of Salt by a ceremonial dance of women wearing on
- their heads garlands of Wormwood
It was used by the Native American Indians for:
- menstrual disorders in young girls
- rheumatism
Tradition: Wormwood was
- burned to raise the spirits to a higher level for divination and clairvoyancy
- taken to prevent drunkenness
- thought to counteract poisons of hemlock, toadstools and bites of the sea dragon
- thrown on the fire to protect one from the spirits that roam at night
Plant Constituents of Wormwood
Contains:
Herb:
- Absinthin, bitter glucoside
- Absinthic Acid
- nitrate of potash
- resin
- salts
- starch
- tannin
Oil:
- Cadinene
- Phellandrene
- Pinene
- Santonin
- Thujone (absinthol or tenacetone)
- and Thujyl Alcohol, both free and combined with:
- Acetic Acid
- Isovalerianic Acid
- Malic Acid
- Succine Acid
Action:
- acts on the Pineal Gland
- anthelmintic [an agent that destroys or expels intestinal worms and/or parasites; vermicide; vermifuge]
- antipyretic [an agent which prevents or reduces fevers; febrifuge]
- antiseptic [an agent for inhibiting the growth of microorganism on living tissue or destroying pathogenic or putrefactive bacteria]
- antispasmodic [an agent which relieves or eases muscular spasms, cramps or convulsions]
- carminative [an agent for easing griping pains, colic and expelling gas from the intestines]
- cholagogue [an agent for increasing the flow of bile into the intestines]
- febrifuge [an agent that reduces or eliminates fevers]
- mental restorative [an agent that restores consciousness or normal physiological activity]
- narcotic [a drug which relieves pain and induces sleep when used in medicinal doses; large doses of narcotics produce convulsions, stupor, insensibility, coma or death]
- nervine [an agent that has a calming or soothing effect on the nerves, any agent that acts on the nervous system to restore the nerves to their natural state]
- stimulant [an agent that excites or quickens the functional activity of the tissues giving more energy]
- stomachic [an agent that strengthens, stimulates or tones the stomach]
- tonic [an agent that tones, strengthens and invigorates organs or the entire organism giving a feeling of well-being]
Oil:
- cardiac stimulant [an agent that stimulates or otherwise affects the heart]
- local anesthetic [an agent that deadens sensation without loss of vital function]
Medicinal Parts Used: Whole herb
Wormwood is used for:
Brain and Nervous Conditions
- cerebral exhaustion (stimulates the cerebral hemispheres, particularly the cortex cerebrum)
- cerebral palsy
- epilepsy
- nervous diseases, such as neurasthenia
- gives tone to persons of a highly nervous temperament
- prevents drunkenness
Female Conditions
- menstrual cramps
- pain during labor
- promotes menstruation
Gastrointestinal Conditions
- all problems within the digestive system
- flatulence (gas/wind)
- gastric pain
- halitosis (bad breath)
- heartburn
- indigestion
- lack of appetite
Genitourinary Conditions
- dropsy
- gout
Inflammatory Conditions
- soothes spinal irritability
Liver Conditions
- jaundice
- liver and bladder ailments
- liver insufficiency (by stimulating the liver and gallbladder secretions)
Parasitic Conditions
- expels intestinal worms, especially with St. John's Wort and Centaury
- liver flukes (combined with Walnut and Cloves)
Other
- debility after sickness or disease
Externally as a fomentation for:
- bad ankles
- bruises
- fallen arches
- flat feet
- irritations
- menstrual disorders of young girls (hip bath)
- sprains
- swelling of the joints
Oil is used internally (strictly under medical supervision):
- to improve circulation
and externally to relieve the pain of:
- arthritis
- bruises
- flat feet, fallen arches, bad ankles
- neuralgia
- rheumatism
- sprains
Other Uses:
- flea repellant
- moth repellant
- ingredient of the drink, Vermouth
Dosage:
Recommended dosage is as follows:
- 5-20mL per week of 1:5 fluid extract
Caution:
- do not give to small children
- excessive use can cause poisoning
- headaches may occur
- use only in very small quantities for very short periods of time
- The FDA considers this a poisonous plant.
- The pure Oil of Wormwood is a strong poison
Symptoms of Poisoning:
- delerium
- epiletic-like convulsions
- giddiness
- hallucinations
- permanent mental deterioration
Global Herbal Supplies has Wormwood available in the following forms:
Information given by our website is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by a physician or other medical professionals. You should not use the information given for diagnosing a health problem or disease. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. The above information is just a guide to general circumstances and in no way should it contradict the advice that you have been given by your naturopath, medical doctor or specialist.
