• Introduction of wormwood

    WORMWOOD

    Wormwood, Artemisia absinthium, is one of the most bitter medicinal plants in the world. The bitter compounds in it are responsible for the plants’ therapeutic properties. However, wormwood contains a compound that can be damaging when taken in excess.

    FAMILY

    Asteraceae

    OTHER NAMES

    Absinthe, absinthium, absinthe wormwood

    PARTS USED

    Leaves, flowering top

    HABITAT

    Native to the temperate regions of Eurasia, wormwood is naturalized in North America, South America and New Zealand.

    BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

    Wormwood is an evergreen perennial

    Height: Usually up to 120 cm (4 ft)
    Width: 45-60 cm (18-24 in)
    Flowers: yellow, small and tubular
    Leaves: silvery-green above and white below, spirally arranged, covered with silky silvery-white hairs
    Blooms: July to October

    CULTIVATION

    Hardiness: USDA Zones 4a to 9b
    Propagation: Seed, cuttings and crown division.
    Germination: Sow from late winter to early summer. Germination occurs in 2 to 20 weeks at 15 Celsius (59 F).
    Spacing: 45-60 cm (18-24 in).
    Soil: Dry, well-drained and poor for best medicinal value. It also grows in rich soils as well as moist soils that are well-drained.
    pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline).
    Exposure: Full sun or partial shade.
     

    HARVEST

    Wormwood should be harvested as it is coming to flower.

    DRYING

    Hang the flowers upside down and allow them to dry thoroughly. You can also dry it in a dehydrator at about 40C (104F).

    CONSTITUENTS

    0.15-0.4% bitter compounds (sesquiterpene lactones, mainly 0.20-0.28% absinth, artemetin,matricin, isoabsinthin, artemolin); 0.2-1.5% volatile oil (terpenes: of which 35% alpha and beta thujone, and also trans-sabinyl, acetate, chrysantenyl acetate; sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes: thujan, thujyalcohol, linalool, cineol, flavonoids: glycosides of kaempferol and quercetin.

    PROPERTIES

    Anthelmintic, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, carminative, cholagogue, digestive, emmenagogue, febrifuge, stimulant, tonic

    ENERGETICS

    Cool

    TASTE

    Bitter

    SCENT

    Aromatic

    MEDICINAL USE OF WORMWOOD

    As the name implies, wormwood is a very effective herb against worm infestations, especially roundworm and pinworm. It is primarily used to stimulate the digestive system. It’s particularly helpful in indigestion, especially the kind caused by low amounts of gastric juices. Due to its high bitter contents, wormwood has been used traditionally as an anti-depressive. Bitter compounds improve the mood and cause alertness.

    Used internally for:

    • Eliminating worms
    • Stimulating the appetite
    • Regulating the appetite (take after a meal)
    • Gastritis with acid deficiency
    • Chronic gastritis
    • Bile duct disorders
    • Gallbladder stones and infection
    • Liver ailments
    • Intestinal disorders
    • Flatulence
    • Depression
    • Anemia
    • Debility
    • Irregular menstrual cycle

    Recommended daily dosage:

    German Commission E: 2-3 g per day as infusion
    British Pharmacopeia Codex: 3-10 ml of tincture
    British Herbal Pharmacopeia: 1-2 g dried herb or 1-2 ml fluid extract (1:1 in 25%) three times per day

    HOMEMADE PREPARATIONS

    • Infusion
    • Tincture
    • Wine
    • Powdered herb

    CULINARY USE

    Wormwood is responsible for the bitter taste of vermouth, Cinzano and martinis. It also flavored absinthe, the popular 19-century aperitif that caused absinthium (wormwood poisoning).

    SIDE EFFECTS

    Side effects are typical with overdose due to the adverse effects of thujone which is toxic. Thujone is high doses may cause vomiting, stomachache, severe diarrhea, renal lesion, retention of urine, stupor, and convulsions.

    CONTRA-INDICATIONS

    Due to its labor inducing properties, wormwood should not be used during pregnancy.
    Do not use wormwood if you have stomach and intestinal ulcers.

    References
    Bühring, U. 2015. Alles über Heilpflanzen. 3rd ed. Stuttgart: Ulmer.
    Wichtl M. 2004. Herbal drugs and phytopharmaceuticals – A handbook for practice on a scientific basis. 3rd ed. Stuttgart: medpharm Scientific Publishers
    Hoffmann, D. 2003. Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal medicine. Rochester: Healing Arts Press


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