by Matt Weik, BS, CSCS, CPT, CSN
After I first stumbled upon wormwood, I truthfully had zero concept what the heck it was. Then, as I began studying extra about it, the extra it introduced me again to my school days — and never in a great way.
Wormwood is a bitter herb finest identified for its function within the alcoholic drink absinthe (and there’s my blur of a faculty expertise).
Recognized for its sturdy aroma and sharp taste, wormwood has an extended historical past in conventional drugs throughout Europe, Asia, and past. Its major compound, thujone, could supply some advantages, however could be dangerous in massive quantities.
As soon as banned within the U.S. on account of considerations over toxicity and its hyperlink to hallucinations, wormwood is now authorized and out there once more.
On this article, we’re going to dive deeper and discover the historical past of wormwood and its potential well being advantages and makes use of.
Disclaimer: This text is for informational functions solely and isn’t meant to deal with or diagnose any situation. It is strongly recommended that you simply converse together with your physician earlier than beginning any train program, making adjustments to your vitamin plan, or including any new dietary supplements into your present routine.
What’s Wormwood?
Artemisia absinthium L., extra generally often called wormwood, is a perennial shrub that belongs to the Asteraceae plant household. It’s simply acknowledged by its deeply lobed, grayish-green leaves and clusters of small yellow flowers that usually bloom through the summer season months, round July and August. The plant has a powerful, sage-like aroma and a notably bitter style.
In natural drugs, the leaves and stems of wormwood are generally used to create numerous treatments. Whereas there are various species within the Artemisia genus, Artemisia absinthium L. and Artemisia annua L., also referred to as candy wormwood, are the 2 most regularly used for medicinal functions.
All that being mentioned, most individuals aren’t grabbing wormwood in its pure type. Individuals have a tendency to search out it at their native complement store in a bottle and use it in complement type.
What Are the Compounds and Chemical Properties of Wormwood?
Wormwood is mostly consumed as an extract or tea. Its important oil is constituted of the plant’s stems and leaves, whereas tinctures or extracts could use all the plant.
These types don’t supply energy, nutritional vitamins, or minerals, however they do comprise lively plant compounds — most notably thujone.
Thujone exists in two types: alpha-thujone and beta-thujone. Although related in construction, alpha-thujone is extra poisonous and is the principle lively compound present in wormwood.
Thujone impacts the mind by blocking gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that usually helps calm the central nervous system. Many people have most likely used GABA in dietary supplements that assist us sleep or assist us loosen up.
Whereas thujone could supply some potential advantages, it ought to be famous that top doses are poisonous and have been linked to severe negative effects reminiscent of seizures and (in excessive circumstances) loss of life.
What Are the Advantages of Wormwood?
Wormwood has many potential advantages. Beneath are a few of the most outstanding well being advantages:
1. Deal with digestive points
Wormwood has an extended historical past of use in conventional drugs, particularly in Asia and Europe, the place it was generally used to deal with digestive points and remove worms and parasites.
At this time, herbalists proceed to make use of it to assist digestion, particularly in circumstances of low abdomen acid or poor urge for food.
A 2020 assessment famous that the bitter compounds in wormwood could assist stimulate the manufacturing of gastric juices and bile whereas additionally enhancing blood circulate within the digestive system. The assessment additionally steered that wormwood could assist expel parasites and battle off sure dangerous microorganisms.
2. It might cut back ache
Wormwood has been utilized by many for its pain-relieving and anti inflammatory results. Considered one of its potential makes use of is in managing osteoarthritis, a situation marked by joint ache and irritation.
In a four-week research involving 90 adults with knee osteoarthritis, making use of a 3% wormwood ointment 3 times a day helped cut back ache and enhance motion. Nonetheless, it didn’t ease joint stiffness.
It’s necessary to keep away from making use of uncooked wormwood on to the pores and skin, as its concentrated compounds could cause burns.
3. It fights parasites
Wormwood will get its identify from its conventional use in treating intestinal parasites like pinworms, roundworms, and tapeworms. Its use declined after reviews of extreme negative effects linked to ingesting absinthe, a liquor made with wormwood (I’m having sickening flashbacks from school).
A 2017 research discovered that wormwood may kill Hymenolepis nana (H. nana), the commonest tapeworm in people, in each lab checks and mice. Whereas it wasn’t as efficient as Biltricide (praziquantel), the usual drug for such infections, the herb nonetheless confirmed potential. That is notable as a result of H. nana is changing into extra immune to frequent therapies.
4. Mind well being
A 2020 assessment discovered that wormwood could assist the physique’s manufacturing of glutathione, a key antioxidant, and assist shield mind well being. Animal research additionally counsel that wormwood may have anti-depressant results by rising serotonin ranges.
One other assessment pointed to its potential advantages for neurological situations like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. It’s steered that wormwood could supply neuroprotective, mood-boosting, and cognitive-enhancing results, although extra analysis is required to substantiate these findings in people.
5. It might deal with Crohn’s illness
Wormwood could assist handle sure inflammatory situations, together with Crohn’s illness, a persistent dysfunction that causes irritation within the digestive tract.
In a single small research, 20 individuals with Crohn’s illness continued their normal therapy and added both wormwood or a placebo. Outcomes confirmed that 80% of these taking wormwood reached scientific remission, in comparison with simply 20% within the placebo group.
One other research involving 40 individuals discovered that 65% of those that took wormwood each day skilled near-complete remission. In distinction, not one of the placebo group reported significant enchancment.
Considered one of its lively compounds, artemisinin, has been proven to cut back irritation and will block cytokines, proteins that set off inflammatory responses.