Wormwood is also known as Artemisia absinthium. It is a species of Artemisia. Wormwood is grown as an ornamental plant and is used as an ingredient in the spirit absinthe and some other alcoholic beverages. This plan has velvety white or greenish-silver stems and yellow-green leaves. Wormwood bulbous flowers that are bright or pale yellow. All parts of the plant are being used.
According to research wormwood contains antifungal, neuroprotective, insecticidal, antimicrobial, anthelmintic, acaricidal, antimalarial, antidepressant, and hepatoprotective properties. Because of all these properties present in the plant, it is used for centuries for medicinal purposes such as reducing pain and swelling and to treat digestion problems, intestinal worms, and skin infections.
Benefits Of Wormwood
1. Improve digestion
As per studies, wormwood can help improve digestion. It helps digestion by reducing spasms in the stomach and intestines. Artemisia absinthium treats the gastrointestinal tract and promotes better digestion. Research says that bitter-taste herbs like wormwood help produce saliva increase gastric juice, and boost appetite. Which eventually aids in digestion. However, consuming wormwood extract can better digestion.
2. Treat inflammatory conditions
As per studies, wormwood has significant pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects because of its flavonoids. This herb can be beneficial for treating inflammation linked with Crohn’s disease. The research also says that wormwood can inhibit the growth of human breast cancer cells. Treating an individual with wormwood is comparable to piroxicam gel for knee osteoarthritis.
3. Brain-protective effects
As per research wormwood supports the formation of the body’s antioxidant glutathione and is protective of the brain. This plant can benefit those with neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. Wormwood can contain properties that reduce confusion, delirium, and disorientation.
4. Treat immune disorders
Wormwood is said to have effects on the immune system and cells. According to research, this herb can be helpful in treating immune disorders, intracellular viruses, and even bacterial infections.
5. Boasts antioxidant properties
Wormwood contains antioxidant properties because of the component in the plant called chamazulene. This compound acts as an antioxidant. While antioxidants are substances that reduce or delay cell damage caused by oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can lead to cancer, chronic inflammation, and other diseases. Things that can lead to oxidative stress are sun exposure, smoking, obesity, and alcohol.
Side Effects of Wormwood
- Consuming the wormwood in a moderate amount is considered as safe. Anything injected in excessive amounts can lead to problems.
- Artemisia absinthium can cause allergic reactions such as rhinitis and dermatitis, through contact with the skin in some individuals.
- Wormwood contains an active ingredient called thujone. It has two types of thujone called alpha thujone and beta thujone. These ingredients are toxic.
- The alpha form is more toxic than the beta form.