Artemisia Absinthium also popularly known as wormwood is a herbaceous and perennial flowering shrub that thrives in moderate climatic zones and is found in grasslands, meadows, and fields of Scotland, Europe, Scandinavia, North Africa, Siberia, and northern parts of India.
A species of the genus Artemisia (from the family Asteraceae), Artemisia Absinthium is called by many other names such as Artemisia, Absinth Sage, Green Ginger, Grand Wormwood, Madder Wort, American Wormwood, and Wormwood Sage. The origin of the fancy word Artemisia is perhaps from the Greek goddess Artemis who was known to be the protector of the forests. Artemisia Absinthium is one of the largest and most widely distributed herbs that consists of up to 500 species! Interestingly, almost all wormwood species have been used for medicinal purposes for ages. The bitter aromatic herb has powerful anti-inflammatory antibacterial and antifungal activity due to the presence of acetylenes, antioxidants, carotenoids, tannins, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. It also has a compound called terpenes which is responsible for plants and their aromatic scent. 
The Plant Of Artemisia Absinthium
Artemisia Absinthium was primarily introduced in the early 19th century to be cultivated for medicinal uses and it has been known to be dating back to the Roman era. Later, this bitter-tasting herb also gained fame as an ornamental herb and an active ingredient in alcoholic beverages (mainly vermouth and absinthe). The wormwood shrub grows up to five to six feet tall and has a woody, straight, and firm stem that is branched and contains leaves. The tiny leaves are spirally arranged, are covered in fine silky white hair, and have a silver-greenish tint. They ooze a strong sage-like scent when crushed. Numerous light yellow flowers bloom on wormwood plants from July through September. These tiny, small flowers are spherical. The wormwood rhizomes are fibrous with a taproot that is short and a little twiggy. The roots have a warm aroma and a typical taste. The seed is cylindrical gray and brown and one medium-sized plant can produce up to whopping 100,000 seeds! Wormwood fruits are small and narrow, almost like perfect cylinders with rounded tops and tapered bottoms.
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Health Benefits Of Wormwood And Its Extracts
Loaded with copious flavonoids, carotenoids, antioxidants with antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial benefits along with many healing properties, wormwood plant extracts can help to cure the following health issues:
Wards Off intestinal worms
As the name suggests, wormwood has been touted as a preferred remedy in ancient medicinal systems and a natural cure for the treatment of intestinal worms and parasites, including roundworms, pinworms, and tapeworms that are a primary cause of severe gastrointestinal diseases.
Alleviates Muscle Pain And Chronic Inflammation
Wormwood has been used to treat menstrual woes, cramps, joint, and muscle pain since old times. Artemisinin, a primary compound found in wormwood has potent anti-inflammatory effects. By managing the action of proteins called cytokines (signaling proteins that help control inflammation and growth and activity of other blood cells) wormwood helps to ease all kinds of pain, redness, and swelling.
Beats Malaria
Transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes that invades human red blood cells, malaria can be a life-threatening health problem. Artemisinin is a compound found in wormwood which can be effective against malaria by reacting with the high levels of iron present in the parasite to produce free radicals which destroy the cell walls of the malaria parasite.
Aids Digestion Process
Wormwood has been used to treat flatulence, gastritis, and gallbladder disease. The terpenes compound present in the herb stimulates stomach mucus, and intestinal secretions thus helping to soothe digestive disorders. It can also reduce stomach acids- a reason for acid reflux and peptic ulcers.
Heals Skin Problems
Wormwood essential oil has been an elixir to cure insect bites and soothe skin woes. Applying wormwood essential oil can be used for treating skin infections like acne, eczema, and psoriasis. However, generally, it is diluted with a carrier oil like olive or almond oil due to its density.
Eases Arthritis Pain
Since wormwood contains artemisinin, an anti-inflammatory compound that relieves joint-related anomalies, a topical ointment that contains wormwood has been found to help reduce arthritis-borne pain.
Treats Crohn’s Disease
Wormwood has the potential to aid in certain conditions, particularly those related to inflammation. Therefore, the effectiveness of wormwood in the treatment of Crohn’s disease, a gastrointestinal condition that causes inflammation in the digestive tract has been immense.
Also Read: Crohn’s Disease: Types, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
How To Use Wormwood Extracts?
Wormwood is available in many forms, including tea, herbal supplements, essential oils, lotions, creams, ointments, dried leaves, flowers, capsules, and tinctures. However, if you are looking for a high concentration of chamazulene, an antioxidant found in wormwood with potent health and skin benefits, wormwood essential oil made during the herb’s pre-flowering stage is what you should ideally go for.
Side Effects Of Wormwood Herb
Wormwood contains a compound called thujone that can become toxic and cause the following side effects:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Insomnia
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea
- Restlessness
Contraindications
Generally safe to use, it is advisable to speak with your healthcare provider before using wormwood to understand the benefits and potential risks and ensure the herb does not interfere with any medication or negatively affect any underlying medical conditions you may have. People with the following medical conditions should not take wormwood and its extracts:
- Pregnant women
- Lactating mothers
- People with an epilepsy history or previous episodes of seizures
- Kidney disease people as it can lead to kidney failure, particularly in people with chronic kidney disease
- People who have significant allergies to herbs
- People with heart diseases and abnormal blood pressure levels
