by Matt Weik, BS, CSCS, CPT, CSN
Once 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 greatest identified for its function within the alcoholic drink absinthe (and there’s my blur of a faculty expertise).
Identified for its robust aroma and sharp taste, wormwood has a protracted historical past in conventional medication throughout Europe, Asia, and past. Its major compound, thujone, could provide some advantages, however might 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 suggested that you simply communicate 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 generally known as 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 sometimes bloom in the course of the summer season months, round July and August. The plant has a powerful, sage-like aroma and a notably bitter style.
In natural medication, the leaves and stems of wormwood are generally used to create numerous treatments. Whereas there are numerous species within the Artemisia genus, Artemisia absinthium L. and Artemisia annua L., often known as candy wormwood, are the 2 most steadily used for medicinal functions.
All that being mentioned, most individuals aren’t grabbing wormwood in its pure type. Folks have a tendency to seek 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 produced from the plant’s stems and leaves, whereas tinctures or extracts could use the complete plant.
These types don’t provide energy, nutritional vitamins, or minerals, however they do comprise energetic plant compounds — most notably thujone.
Thujone exists in two types: alpha-thujone and beta-thujone. Although comparable in construction, alpha-thujone is extra poisonous and is the principle energetic 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 chill out.
Whereas thujone could provide some potential advantages, it needs to be famous that prime doses are poisonous and have been linked to severe unintended effects akin to seizures and (in excessive instances) loss of life.
What Are the Advantages of Wormwood?
Wormwood has many potential advantages. Beneath are among the most distinguished well being advantages:
1. Deal with digestive points
Wormwood has a protracted historical past of use in conventional medication, particularly in Asia and Europe, the place it was generally used to deal with digestive points and remove worms and parasites.
At the moment, herbalists proceed to make use of it to help digestion, particularly in instances of low abdomen acid or poor urge for food.
A 2020 review famous that the bitter compounds in wormwood could assist stimulate the manufacturing of gastric juices and bile whereas additionally bettering blood circulation within the digestive system. The assessment additionally prompt that wormwood could assist expel parasites and struggle off sure dangerous microorganisms.
2. It might cut back ache
Wormwood has been utilized by many for its pain-relieving and anti inflammatory results. One in all its potential makes use of is in managing osteoarthritis, a situation marked by joint ache and irritation.
In a four-week study 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 vital to keep away from making use of uncooked wormwood on to the pores and skin, as its concentrated compounds may cause burns.
3. It fights parasites
Wormwood will get its title from its conventional use in treating intestinal parasites like pinworms, roundworms, and tapeworms. Its use declined after reviews of extreme unintended effects linked to consuming absinthe, a liquor made with wormwood (I’m having sickening flashbacks from school).
A 2017 study discovered that wormwood might kill Hymenolepis nana (H. nana), the commonest tapeworm in people, in each lab exams 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 turning into extra immune to widespread remedies.
4. Mind well being
A 2020 review discovered that wormwood could help the physique’s manufacturing of glutathione, a key antioxidant, and assist defend mind well being. Animal research additionally recommend that wormwood might have anti-depressant results by rising serotonin ranges.
One other assessment pointed to its potential advantages for neurological circumstances like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. It’s prompt that wormwood could provide neuroprotective, mood-boosting, and cognitive-enhancing results, although extra analysis is required to verify these findings in people.
5. It might deal with Crohn’s illness
Wormwood could assist handle sure inflammatory circumstances, together with Crohn’s illness, a continual dysfunction that causes irritation within the digestive tract.
In a single small study, 20 folks with Crohn’s illness continued their typical therapy and added both wormwood or a placebo. Outcomes confirmed that 80% of these taking wormwood reached medical remission, in comparison with simply 20% within the placebo group.
One other study 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.
One in all its energetic compounds, artemisinin, has been proven to scale back irritation and should block cytokines, proteins that set off inflammatory responses.
