What Is Wormwood?
For centuries, Wormwood, a type of artemisia plant, has been used in traditional medicine. It is native to Europe, parts of Africa and Asia, and belongs to the Asteraceae or Compositae family, more commonly known as the daisy family. Wormwood, with its distinctive aromatic odor and spicy, bitter taste, is related to the medicinal herb Artemisia vulgaris, better known as mugwort.
The medicinal properties of wormwood have been known for centuries. It has been used to treat various ailments such as digestive issues, fever, malaria, and even depression. In addition to its medicinal uses, it has also been used in religious ceremonies and rituals due to its strong aroma.
Wormwood can be found in many forms including teas, tinctures, capsules and essential oils. Its healing properties make it a popular choice among those looking for natural remedies for their ailments.
Benefits
One of the most notable benefits of wormwood is its ability to help with digestive issues. It can be used to reduce bloating, gas and indigestion. Additionally, it can help stimulate appetite and improve digestion by increasing the production of bile and other digestive juices. Wormwood also has anti-inflammatory properties which can help reduce inflammation in the stomach and intestines. This makes it an effective treatment for conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Wormwood also has antibacterial properties which make it useful in treating infections such as urinary tract infections (UTIs) and skin infections. It can also be used to treat fever, headaches, colds and flu symptoms. In addition to these medicinal uses, wormwood is known for its calming effects on the nervous system which can help reduce stress levels and promote relaxation. Finally, wormwood is believed to have antioxidant properties which may help protect against free radical damage caused by environmental toxins.
Beats Malaria
Malaria is a serious and potentially deadly disease that affects millions of people around the world. It is caused by a parasite that is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, which then invades human red blood cells. According to the World Health Organization, artemisinin-based combination therapies are the best treatment for uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria.
Artemisinin is an extract isolated from the plant Artemisia annua, or sweet wormwood, and it has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to treat fevers and other illnesses. It is now recognized as one of the most powerful antimalarial drugs on the market, known for quickly reducing the number of parasites in the blood of patients with malaria. This makes it an effective treatment option for those suffering from this debilitating disease.
Fights Cancer Cells
A compound extracted from wormwood, known as artemisinin, may be a viable natural cancer treatment for female breast cancer patients. This is due to the fact that it can battle iron-enriched breast cancer cells in a similar way to how it eliminates malaria-causing parasites.
Cancer cells tend to have higher levels of iron as it supports their rapid growth. For a 2012 study, scientists tested both malignant and healthy breast cells that were modified to have high iron levels. They then treated them with a water-soluble form of artemisinin. The results were quite impressive; while the normal cells showed little change, almost all of the cancer cells were dead within 16 hours and only a few normal cells were killed.
This discovery is extremely promising as it could provide an effective natural alternative to traditional treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. However, further research needs to be done before artemisinin can be used as a reliable treatment option for women with breast cancer. Nevertheless, this study shows great promise for the future of natural cancer treatments and could potentially save many lives in the years to come.
Gets Rid of Parasites
Wormwood is a herbal remedy that can be employed to get rid of common parasites such as pinworms, roundworms and tapeworms in the intestines.
Pinworm infestations are remarkably common in the United States, with the eggs usually spread from one person to another. Nematodes, more commonly referred to as roundworms, are parasites capable of infecting the human intestine. Tapeworms, which are flat worms, can also be found in both humans and animals’ intestines.
Results from a 2018 study in the Journal of Helminthology demonstrate that wormwood has an effect of inducing paralysis, death, and structural changes in worms. This suggests that wormwood may be an effective treatment for eliminating parasites from the body.
Sweden based research discovered that wormwood along with mugwort, chicory and tansy possess anti-parasite capabilities when used for animal deworming. These herbs have been used for centuries as traditional remedies for treating parasitic infections due to their ability to expel worms from the body. While more research is needed on these herbs’ effectiveness against parasites in humans, they may offer an alternative treatment option for those looking to get rid of parasites naturally.
Treats Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is a chronic condition that can cause severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. Treatment typically involves the use of steroids to reduce inflammation and improve symptoms. However, a recent study conducted in Germany has found that a herbal blend containing wormwood may be effective in treating Crohn’s disease without the need for steroids.
The double-blind study involved 40 patients who were already on a steady daily dose of steroids. After two weeks, researchers began tapering off the steroid dosage while simultaneously administering 500 milligrams of wormwood three times per day. By the end of the 10-week observation period, 18 (90 percent) patients showed steady improvement in their symptoms despite decreasing their steroid intake. Furthermore, 13 (65 percent) patients achieved almost complete remission of their symptoms without needing additional steroids for 12 weeks after treatment ended. These results suggest that wormwood could be used as an alternative treatment for Crohn’s disease with fewer side effects than traditional steroid treatments.
This Plant Has Both Antibacterial and Antifungal Properties
The essential oils of wormwood have been studied for their antimicrobial abilities, and research has found that they possess a broad spectrum of activity against several bacterial strains. This includes E. coli and salmonella, two bacteria that can cause serious illnesses if ingested.
In the United States, an estimated one million individuals suffer from foodborne illnesses each year, with Salmonella as the primary culprit. This can lead to around 19,000 hospitalizations and 380 fatalities. E. coli can also lead to a range of issues from diarrhea to urinary tract infections to pneumonia and other illnesses.
These findings suggest that wormwood oil could be used as an effective natural remedy for fighting off bacterial infections caused by these two bacteria, as well as other microbes that may be present in food or water sources. In addition to its antimicrobial properties, wormwood oil also has antifungal abilities which could help protect against fungal infections such as athlete’s foot or thrush. As such, it could be a valuable tool for preventing and treating a variety of microbial-related health issues.
Treats SIBO
Herbal remedies have become increasingly popular for treating gastrointestinal issues, such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). A 2014 study found that herbal therapies were just as effective, if not more so, than traditional treatments of SIBO. The study had 104 patients take either a high dose of rifaximin or a herbal therapy daily for four weeks.
Herbal remedies, like wormwood, oregano oil, thyme and berberine extracts, which all have antimicrobial properties, were used by 46 percent of those who received the therapy and had a subsequent follow-up tests with no evidence of SIBO compared to 34 percent who received rifaximin.
The results of this study suggest that natural treatments may be just as effective at treating SIBO as traditional antibiotics. Herbal remedies are often safer and have fewer side effects than pharmaceuticals, making them an attractive option for those looking for relief from their symptoms. While further research is needed to fully understand the efficacy of these treatments, it is clear that they can be a viable alternative to traditional treatments for those suffering from SIBO.
How to Use
Wormwood is a powerful herb that has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. It is commercially available in many forms, including essential oil, capsules, tablets, tinctures and liquid extracts. For those looking to make an infusion or tea from wormwood, it is best used in dried form as this contains little to no thujone. To make an infusion, steep a half teaspoon to one teaspoon of dried or fresh wormwood in one cup of boiling water for five to 15 minutes. You should not consume more than one teaspoon of the leaves, as they have a very potent and unpleasant taste.
Once the infusion has been made, it can be consumed hot or cold depending on preference. Wormwood infusions have many potential health benefits such as aiding digestion and helping with insomnia. However, it should be noted that wormwood can be toxic if taken in large doses so it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before taking any form of this herb. Additionally, pregnant women should avoid using wormwood due to its potential side effects.
Potential Adverse Reactions, Hypersensitivity and Drug Interaction Risk
Wormwood is a herb that has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. It has many potential health benefits, but it can also have some serious side effects and drug interactions if not used properly. It is important to be aware of the potential risks before using wormwood.
The FDA lists wormwood as unsafe for internal use due to the toxicity of thujone oil, which is found in higher concentrations in fresh or essential oil forms. For this reason, the best option is to use dried wormwood which has a low level of thujone.
Additionally, it is important to not exceed recommended doses because excessive consumption could be highly toxic and lead to nausea, vomiting , restlessness, insomnia, vertigo, tremors and seizures. Furthermore, wormwood should not be taken for longer than four weeks as this could increase the risk of adverse reactions. It is always best to consult with a healthcare professional before taking any herbal supplement or medication.
Wormwood Interesting Facts
Wormwood is derived from the ancient use of the plant and its extracts as an intestinal anthelmintic, antiparasitic drug that expels parasitic worms and other internal parasites from the body.
Through the ages, Egyptians have used this medicinal plant to alleviate rectal discomfort and as an ingredient in their wines.
In Europe, this was later used as a folk remedy to help with childbirth. In Europe, this plant is often steeped into tea to aid with digestion and stimulate appetite.
One of the most popular uses of wormwood is in absinthe, a favorite alcoholic beverage in 19th century France. Absinthe was purported to be addictive, and connected with a range of severe side effects called absinthism which could cause permanent damage to the central nervous system. Despite this, many famous writers and artists such as Ernest Hemingway, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Édouard Manet, Edgar Degas, Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso and Oscar Wilde were known to enjoy drinking absinthe.
