Wormwood, Artemisia absinthum

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Artemisia absinthum

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Medicinal Uses

Anthelmintic; Antiseptic; Antispasmodic; Carminative; Cholagogue;

Emmenagogue; Febrifuge; Homeopathy; Hypnotic; Stimulant; Stomachic; Tonic;

Vermifuge.

Wormwood is a very bitter plant with a long history of use as a medicinal

herb. It is valued especially for its tonic effect on the liver,

gallbladder and digestive system, and for its vermicidal activity[4, 238,

254]. It is an extremely useful medicine for those with weak and

underactive digestion. It increases stomach acid and bile production,

improving digestion and the absorption of nutrients[254]. It also eases

wind and bloating and, if taken regularly, helps the body return to full

vitality after a prolonged illness[254].

The leaves and flowering shoots are anthelmintic, antiinflammatory,

antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitumor, carminative, cholagogue, emmenagogue,

febrifuge, hypnotic, stimulant, stomachic, tonic and vermifuge[4, 9, 21,

46, 165, 222, 254]. The plant is harvested as it is coming into flower and

then dried for later use[4]. Use with caution[21], the plant should be

taken internally in small doses for short-term treatment only, preferably

under the supervision of a qualified practitioner[238]. It should not be

prescribed for children or pregnant women[238]. See also the notes above on

toxicity.

The extremely bitter leaves are chewed to stimulate the appetite[222]. The

bitter taste on the tongue sets off a reflex action, stimulating stomach

and other digestive secretions[254]. The leaves have been used with some

success in the treatment of anorexia nervosa[244].

The plant is applied externally to bruises and bites[238]. A warm compress

has been used to ease sprains and strained muscles[257].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the leaves[9]. It is used to stimulate

bile and gastric juice production and to treat disorders of the liver and

gall bladder[9].

As its name implies, wormwood has been used to expel worms from people and

animals. However, Caius and Mhasker (1920) did not find oil of wormwood to

be an effective antihelmintic when tested against the hookworm. Whatever

antiparasitic properties wormwood has may be partially due to its -santonin

content (-Souto et al 1992), which is recognized as a medicine for

parasitic diseases. Of course, wormwood's measurable toxicity prevents

modern herbalists from recommending it.

Wormwood contains unidentified antimalarial substance(s). Alcoholic

extracts of the dried leaves have 'considerable antimalarial potential'

when administered orally, subcutaneously, or intraperitoneally to mice

(Zafar, Hamdard, & Hameed 1990).

Wormwood leaves are used traditionally in Pakistan as an antipyretic

(anti-fever) and an active antipyretic compound has been isolated from the

dried leaves. This compound alleviates yeast-induced pyrexia in rabbits

(Ikramet al 1987).

Dilute (1:1000) oil of wormwood has some antimicrobial activity. Kaul,

Nigam and Dhar (1976) found that the dilute oil inhibited the growth of 4

(out of 7) different types of bacteria.

Wormwood is also hepatoprotective (liver protecting). Gilani and Janbaz

(1995) found that an aqueous-methanolic extract of Artemisia absinthium

protected against acetaminophen and CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in mice.

This protection seems to be at least partially due to inhibition of

microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes (MDME), since the plant extract

prolonged the sleep-inducing effects of pentobarbital in mice. Gilani and

Janbaz speculate that this putative MDME inhibition may be due to

sesartemin, which has the methylene-dioxybenzene group common to MDME

inhibitors. The presence of antioxidants and calcium-channel blockers in

wormwood (Gilani 1994) also probably contribute to its hepatoprotective

effects.

from:

http://ia.com/wormwood.asp