Wormwood
Other names for Wormwood
artemesia apiaceae
artemisia absinthium
artemisia absinthium flowering aerial parts extract
artemisia absinthium flowering aerial parts extract, fresh, undried
artemisia absinthium flowering top extract, fresh
artemisia absinthium, fresh
artemisia absinthium herb extract, dry
artemisia absinthium leaf essential oil
artemisia absinthium leaf extract
artemisia absinthium, powder
certified organic wormwood
certified organic wormwood extract
certified organic wormwood extractives
dried wormwood herb extract
organically certified wormwood
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sweet wormwood aerial extract
sweet wormwood extract
wildcrafted wormwood
wormwood
wormwood aerial part extract
wormwood aerial parts extract
wormwood aerial portion extract
wormwood (artemisia absinthium) aerial part powder
wormwood (artemisia absinthium) aerial parts extract
wormwood (artemisia absinthium) flower and aerial parts extract
wormwood (artemisia absinthium) leaf essential oil
wormwood (artemisia absinthium) leaf/flowering tops oil
wormwood (artemisia absinthium) leaf oil
worm wood extract
wormwood extract
wormwood extractives
wormwood extract, powder
wormwood flowering aerial parts extract
wormwood flowering aerial parts extract, fresh, undried
wormwood flowering herb (artemisia absinthium) extract
wormwood flowering top extract, fresh
wormwood, fresh
wormwood herb
wormwood herb 4:1 extract
wormwood herb (artemisia absinthium) extract
wormwood herb extract
wormwood herb extract, dry
wormwood herb powder
wormwood leaf
wormwood leaf concentrate, freeze-dried
wormwood leaf essential oil
wormwood leaf extract
wormwood leaf & flower (artemisia absinthium) extract
wormwood leaf powder
wormwood leaves and tops
wormwood liquid extract
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wormwood seed
wormwood young shoot extract
Synopsis of Wormwood
History
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) has a rich and fascinating history in traditional medicine, valued for centuries across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Renowned for its bitter compounds, especially absinthin, wormwood was historically used to support digestive health, stimulate appetite, and relieve discomfort associated with indigestion and bloating. In ancient Greece, Hippocrates recommended wormwood for menstrual pain and rheumatism, while medieval herbalists used it to expel intestinal worms, giving the plant its common name.
Wormwood’s medicinal applications extend to liver and gallbladder support, where its bitter properties help stimulate bile flow. In folk remedies, it was often prepared as teas, tinctures, or infused wines to address sluggish digestion and as a general tonic for promoting vitality. The famous French liqueur absinthe, though now more widely known as a beverage, was originally formulated for its purported health benefits thanks to wormwood’s inclusion.
Herbalists frequently combine wormwood with other botanicals to enhance its therapeutic effects and balance its intensity. Common companions include fennel, anise, and peppermint, which can help soothe the digestive system and mask wormwood’s strong bitterness. In traditional European herbal blends, wormwood often appears alongside gentian and angelica in bitters formulas, still popular today for supporting digestive wellness.
Overall, wormwood’s enduring role in herbal medicine highlights its significant contributions to natural health remedies. Its ability to support digestion and work synergistically with other herbs underscores its value in the herbalist’s toolkit, making it a respected and time-honored botanical for promoting wellness.
Traditional and scientific validation
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is a herbaceous plant with a long tradition of use in herbal medicine and as a flavoring agent, most famously in absinthe. Historically, wormwood has been used for digestive complaints, as an anti-parasitic, and to stimulate appetite. Its use dates back to ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, where it was valued for its purported medicinal properties.
Modern scientific interest in wormwood centers on its bioactive compounds, particularly absinthin and artemisinin-related molecules. Studies have examined its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiparasitic effects. Some clinical trials suggest potential benefits: for example, research has indicated that wormwood extract may help alleviate symptoms of Crohn’s disease when used as an adjunct to standard therapy, with participants experiencing improved well-being and reduced steroid dependence. Additionally, laboratory studies support its antimicrobial activity against certain bacteria and fungi.
Despite promising preliminary findings, rigorous large-scale clinical trials are limited. The efficacy and safety of wormwood in many of its traditional uses remain to be fully established. Notably, the compound thujone in wormwood can be neurotoxic at high doses, so standardized extracts with low thujone content are preferred in supplements. Overall, while wormwood’s traditional reputation is supported by some modern research, more comprehensive studies are needed to confirm its health benefits. Nevertheless, its historical use and emerging scientific data suggest wormwood is a valuable botanical with potential contributions to nutritional and medicinal applications.
Wormwood is used for these health conditions
Abdominal Pain (Traditional)
Appetite (deficient) (Traditional)
Bites and Stings (Traditional)
Cancer (natural therapy for) (Traditional)
Canker Sores (Traditional)
Colds (general) (Traditional)
Congestion (bronchial) (Traditional)
Congestion (lungs) (Traditional)
Cuts (Traditional)
Digestion (poor) (Traditional)
Fever (Traditional)
Gastritis (Traditional)
Giardia (Traditional)
Indigestion (Traditional)
Infection (Traditional)
Infection (bacterial) (Traditional)
Insect Repellant (Traditional)
Malaria (Traditional)
Nausea and Vomiting (Traditional)
Parasites (general) (Traditional)
Parasites (nematodes, worms) (Traditional)
Parasites (tapeworm) (Traditional)
Poisoning (general) (Traditional)
Stress (Traditional)
Ulcerations (external) (Traditional)
Ulcers (Traditional)
Wounds and Sores (Traditional)
Wormwood is used to support these body systems
Digestive System (Traditional)
Gastrointestinal Tract (Traditional)
Immune System (Traditional)
Intestinal System (Traditional)
Liver (Traditional)
Spleen (Traditional)
Stomach (Traditional)