Wormwood: Unraveling the History, Benefits, and Uses Based on Research
By Dr Rajeev Singh +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr Rajeev Singh
Last updated: Jun 21, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr Rajeev Singh +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr Rajeev Singh
Last updated: Jun 21, 2024Table of Contents
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is a perennial shrub with an intriguing history and multiple potential health benefits. Its scientific name is derived from the Greek goddess Artemis, who is often associated with beneficial properties. This plant has been highly regarded in ancient civilizations and traditional cultures for its diverse medicinal qualities. However, not all its uses are backed by modern scientific research, and some controversy exists around the safety of this powerful plant. In this article, we will explore the history, chemical properties, and potential therapeutic benefits and uses of wormwood. We will also discuss its formulation, dosages, precautions needed, and answer some frequently asked questions related to the plant.
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Wormwood has been in use as part of ancient medicine, dating back thousands of years. Many civilizations – like the Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians to name a few, valued the plant. They used it as a tonic, digestive aid, and to manage illnesses like fever and infections. The famous Greek doctor Hippocrates recommended wormwood for menstrual pain, rheumatism, and anaemia. Pliny the Elder, the Roman scholar, talked about wormwood in his encyclopaedia “Naturalis Historia”. He noted its beneficial effects for stomach issues and insect bites. Additionally, in the Egyptian Ebers Papyrus, one of the oldest medical records, wormwood is described as a relief for pain and inflammation. Of course, modern science doesn’t back all these old-world uses of wormwood.
Across many cultures, wormwood earned fame for its potential health benefits. For example, wormwood was used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to manage fevers and relieve pain. Native American tribes appreciated wormwood for easing inflammation and pain from injuries. European herbalists recognised it for helping with stomach issues and for getting rid of intestinal worm.s.
Now, wormwood also had a spiritual side many cultures believed it could ward off evil spirits, boost psychic abilities, and even act as a potent cleansing agent.
The link between wormwood and absinthe, a potent alcoholic drink, plays a significant role in wormwood’s fame. The potent beverage, called the “Green Fairy,” came into existence in the late 18th century in Switzerland. It was the artists and writers, like Vincent Van Gogh and Ernest Hemingway, who made it popular in the 19th century.
Absinthe was usually made by distilling herbs including wormwood, anise, fennel, among others. But there were concerns. The high levels of thujone, a psychoactive compound in wormwood, raised worries about hallucinations and seizures. This led to a ban on absinthe production and sales in many countries during the early 20th century.
Wormwood doesn’t contain vital vitamins, minerals, or energy-giving substances. But it holds a bunch of medically interesting compounds.
Here are a few examples:
These compounds are not just linked to wormwood’s possible health benefits but also raise concerns about its safety.
Wormwood contains an active component called thujone. Thujone can both deliver health benefits and can cause harm if used excessively. This compound interacts with the nervous system by blocking the neurotransmitter GABA.
While potentially helpful in relieving pain, fighting parasites, stimulating, and mood-elevating effects in the brain, too much thujone intake could be harmful. It could cause hallucinations, convulsions, or even death.
Wormwood essential oil comes from the plant’s leaves and stems. The oil contains a mix of active compounds that may provide anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant benefits. Plus, it smells great, making it a good fit for aromatherapy.
Wormwood is worth noting for its antioxidants content. Several compounds like chamazulene, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and coumarins serve as antioxidants. They protect cells from harm caused by free radicals.
These antioxidants in wormwood may lead to better overall health, reduced inflammation, and a stronger immune defence system.
People have used wormwood in medicine for a long time, and they still use it today. There are many claims about its potential uses, but not all are backed by science. Here are a few of its possible benefits:
The pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory benefits from wormwood make it a promising choice in managing different types of pain. This could include pain from arthritis, headaches, and menstrual cramps.
Field studies show wormwood’s potential for helping arthritis pain. By applying a 3% wormwood ointment to people with knee osteoarthritis, their pain significantly decreased and physical function improved more than a placebo group.
In history, people used wormwood to manage various kinds of pain, like headaches, labour pain, and premenstrual pain. Although there isn’t much research available, the known anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties of the herb suggest it may help alleviate general pain.
Wormwood has been a part of home remedies back in time for managing parasitic infections. Especially those involving intestinal worms. While most of the research on this subject has been conducted on animal models, wormwood’s potent antiparasitic properties need further study in humans.
As both old and new studies show, wormwood is useful in managing digestive parasites. People found wormwood helpful in fighting tapeworm and other parasitic organisms, but more human-related research is needed to confirm these findings.
The essential oils of wormwood show promising antimicrobial properties. It may help fight bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and fungi like Candida albicans. These properties could potentially aid in avoiding infections and in promoting overall health. More research is warranted with this regard.
Many compounds in wormwood might behave like antioxidants, including chamazulene, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and coumarins. These antioxidants protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, which are linked to various chronic diseases.
Antioxidants in wormwood help combat harmful free radicals, lower cell damage, and decrease risk of illnesses linked to oxidative stress.
By protecting cells from damage, the antioxidants in wormwood might promote overall health and aid in proper immune function.
Various compounds in wormwood may assist with immune system function, including antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, and antimicrobial properties.
Wormwood contains a range of compounds, like artemisinin and chamazulene, with anti-inflammatory effects. These may help address several health problems related to chronic inflammation and support a balanced immune response.
By lowering damage to cells, inflammation, and infections, wormwood may give a valuable boost in preserving a healthy immune response and fighting disease.
Due to the potential health benefits outlined above, wormwood has been studied for its application to health conditions. Some of these potential applications include:
Research supports wormwood’s historical role as a digestive aid and its possible effect on conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It also seems to improve overall digestive function.
Though more research is needed, there are suggestions that wormwood may help people suffering from IBS. One study showed significant improvement in symptoms after eight weeks of therapy with a product containing wormwood.
The bitter compounds in wormwood might stimulate gastric juices and bile. They may also improve blood flow in the digestive system.
All the above findings seem beneficial for digestive health, but more research is warranted.
Scientists have investigated wormwood’s possible effects on blood sugar regulation and insulin sensitivity. These are essential in managing diabetes.
Some studies suggest that wormwood may avoid excess lipid buildup in the blood. It mat also reduce blood sugar levels in those with type 2 diabetes and hyperlipidaemia.
Wormwood’s potential to regulate blood sugar and promote insulin sensitivity shows promise in maintaining healthy glucose levels. This may be particularly helpful for those with type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome. However, more research is needed.
Research has revealed wormwood’s possible benefits for brain health. It seems particularly promising for its antidepressant and neuroprotective properties.
Animal studies suggest that wormwood might have a positive impact on depression. In one such study, an extract of wormwood noticeably reduced depressive-like behaviour in animals while increasing serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter linked with feelings of happiness and wellbeing.
It appears that wormwood might exhibit protective qualities concerning cognitive function and brain health. So, it may be a therapeutic agent for addressing diseases and conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. More research is needed to corroborate these findings.
Wormwood’s link with the alcoholic beverage absinthe has significantly influenced its history and reputation. In this section, we explore the history of absinthe, the potential psychoactive effects of wormwood, and the modern revival of absinthe with safety concerns.
Absinthe, or the Green Fairy, is an alcoholic drink from Switzerland. It was very popular among artists and writers in Europe during the late 18th and early 19th century. However, due to safety concerns related to its high alcohol content and thujone presence, the drink was banned in several countries during the early 20th century.
One well-known aspect of wormwood is its psychoactive effects, especially in relation to absinthe. But modern studies show that thujone levels in absinthe are not enough to cause reported hallucinations and other adverse effects. However, it still poses some concern, and we must move forward with caution.
Lately, absinthe has become popular again. Its production and sale have been made legal in many countries, including the United States, but with a limit on thujone content. This revival has led to renewed interest in both historical and modern uses of wormwood in medicine, but with more caution than before.
Wormwood is available in various forms, and its specific formulation can influence the right dosage for desired benefits.
The most common forms of wormwood include extracts, teas, and essential oils. Extracts may use the entire plant, while teas mainly require dried leaves and flowers, and essential oils use stems and leaves.
Recommended dosages may vary a lot depending on the exact formulation and the reason for using wormwood. Therefore, getting professional healthcare advice before using wormwood is a wise move.
Due to a lack of research, there are no specific adult dosage guidelines for wormwood. As such, users should follow the manufacturer’s guidance or seek advice from a healthcare professional to avoid improper use.
At this point, there isn’t any evidence supporting the safety of wormwood for children. Therefore, it’s best if children do not use it.
Certain health conditions might require changes to wormwood dosages. As always, a discussion with a healthcare professional is needed to decide the right dosage. This can prevent unintended consequences from medicine interactions or other health considerations.
While wormwood has a long history of use and some evidence of potential therapeutic benefits, it’s crucial to note the possible risks, side effects, and precautions needed while using it.
As wormwood contains thujone, improper use can lead to side effects. These could include muscle aches, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, restlessness, sleep issues, stomach cramps, and chronic diarrhoea.
Severe side effects from heavy use of wormwood could cause convulsions, hallucinations, and seizures.
Wormwood can cause drug interactions. For instance, the herb could increase the chances of seizures by reducing the effect of seizure-inhibiting drugs like primidone and gabapentin. Wormwood is also known to react with the blood-thinning medication warfarin, raising the risk of bleeding.
That’s why it is essential to discuss potential drug interactions with a healthcare provider before using wormwood products.
There isn’t enough evidence to show that wormwood is safe for pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, but some evidence is there that shows it can cause miscarriage. Consequently, wormwood is advised not to be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Certain people should avoid using wormwood. These people include those with epilepsy or seizure disorders, kidney disease, and allergies to plants in the Asteraceae family. It’s advisable that pregnant and breastfeeding individuals too should not use it.
Also Read: Mugwort: Health Benefits, Uses, Side Effects & More!
Wormwood is a popular plant with a deep history and ongoing research into its possible health benefits and dangers. With active compounds like thujone offering potential therapeutic benefits, the dangers associated with improper use call for cautious use and professional healthcare guidance. Studies into wormwood’s benefits around gut health, blood sugar control, and antioxidant properties show hope but need more research to confirm these findings.
In the end, better understanding of wormwood’s history, chemical properties, potential health benefits, and dangers can spur individuals to make informed choices about its use, helping to gain more benefits while minimising harms.
Wormwood carries a range of active compounds like thujone. These may offer potential therapeutic effects and harmful ones too based on usage and dosages. In moderate doses, wormwood may offer health benefits, such as relieving pain, aiding digestion, and reducing inflammation. However, overuse could result in hallucinations, seizures, and other harmful effects.
In history, wormwood has been linked with spiritual and protective properties. It was thought to fend off evil spirits, boost psychic abilities, and serve as a strong cleanser.
While it’s associated with hallucinogenic effects through its use in absinthe, current research doesn’t confirm these effects in controlled human studies to be clear. It’s important to note that the compound thujone found in wormwood can lead to seizures and other adverse effects when used excessively. Always consult with your healthcare professional beforehand.
Wormwood carries the potentially toxic compound thujone, so overuse of wormwood could carry risks to human health. These could include potential liver damage and seizures. It’s wise to seek professional healthcare advice and follow recommended dosages for safe and proper use of wormwood.
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