Wormwood Herb

What is the wormwood herb?

Wormwood is an herb called Artemisia absinthium. We use it to make the alcoholic drinks absinthe and vermouth. The chemical thujone, which may be poisonous, is found in its oil. Wormwood oil contains thujone, which stimulates the central nervous system and can cause seizures and other problems. Some of the chemicals in wormwood could make swelling go down. People use wormwood to treat digestion problems, Crohn's disease, a kidney disorder called IgA nephropathy, osteoarthritis, and many other conditions, but there is no favorable scientific evidence to support these uses. Furthermore, there is no compelling evidence to suggest the use of wormwood for COVID-19. Using wormwood products with thujone in them can be dangerous. Don't mix up wormwood with Artemisia herba-alba, mugwort, sweet Annie, wormseed, or ginger. These are different.

How do I use wormwood herb?

Wormwood could provide assistance in the treatment of specific ailments, especially those associated with inflammation. Artemisinin is one of the compounds found in wormwood. Some studies have demonstrated that artemisinin possesses anti-inflammatory properties. Artemisinin has the potential to impede cytokines, which are proteins that facilitate inflammation.

Wormwood herb benefits:

Wormwood has been used for a long time to treat liver and gallbladder problems. Wormwood has two strong bitter chemicals called absinthin and anabsinthin. These chemicals help the digestive system and gallbladder work better. People believe that wormwood aids in digestion and alleviates intestinal cramps.

◉ Digestion: A small study indicated that wormwood can help relieve pain and lower body swelling. In the study, 42 people got either 300 mg per day of wormwood extract, 600 mg per day of wormwood extract, or a placebo for 12 weeks. The people who took 300 mg per day experienced less pain, while the other two groups did not show any improvement. A 2018 review of research papers found that all Artemisia species, like wormwood, can help treat pain with herbal medicines. It is believed that antioxidants protect your cells through a chemical reaction. Antioxidants may also help reduce swelling.

◉ Arthritis and Immune Support: Many long-term diseases, both short-term and long-term pain, and a weaker immune system are all linked to inflammation. Wormwood contains a chemical known as artemisinin, which may offer potential benefits. Wormwood inhibits the body's production of cytokines, a type of protein known to trigger inflammation and contribute to autoimmune diseases. Some people use wormwood to treat the pain and swelling of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease that causes the joints, hands, and feet to be inflamed all the time. In a 12-week study, researchers administered either wormwood extract or a placebo to 180 RA patients. The researchers then looked for differences between the two groups. People who took wormwood for joint pain said it helped a lot. Wormwood was also found to be safer than some of the common drugs used to treat RA. In another study, 90 people with knee pain found that using 3% wormwood ointment on their sore joints relieved their pain and improved their physical function.

◉ Boasts antioxidant properties: Chamazulene, which is similar to thujone, is another important compound found in wormwood. It is an antioxidant, mostly in the plant's essential oils before blooming. Antioxidants like chamazulene may help your body fight oxidative stress, which is linked to cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's, and other diseases.  Still, more research needs to be done on the properties of this compound.

◉ Pain Management: A small study indicated that wormwood can help relieve pain and lower body swelling. In the study, 42 people got either 300 mg per day of wormwood extract, 600 mg per day of wormwood extract, or a placebo for 12 weeks. The people who took 300 mg per day experienced less pain, while those in the other two groups did not see any improvement. A 2018 review of research papers found that all Artemisia species, like wormwood, can help treat pain with herbal medicines. It is believed that antioxidants protect your cells through a chemical reaction. Antioxidants may also help reduce swelling.

Wormwood herb information (at a glance):