Common Name: |
Wormwood |
Other Names: |
Absinthe, Absinthium, Green Ginger, Old Woman |
Botanical Name: |
Artemisia absinthium |
Genus: |
Artemisia |
Family: |
Asteraceae |
Native Location: |
Europe and temperate Asia |
Cultivation: |
Well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil in sun. Artemisia absinthium, A. a. 'Lambrook Silver', and A. lucoviciana tolerate drought. A. capillaris thrives in moist soil and tolerates light shade. Hardiness varies with species; cover marginally hardy plants with loose straw or overwinter plants under cover. In spring, cut back shrubby species near ground level, or remove dead stems and trim to shape. Rust may attack foliage. |
Position: |
Most species prefer full sun, good drainage, and almost neutral soil, (although mugwort tolerates partial shade). As it is strongly insecticidal, use it as a companion plant in the edge of gardens. |
Propagation: |
By seed sown in spring (annuals, perennials, and A. d. subsp. dracunculoides); by semi-ripe cuttings with a heel in summer (shrubby species); by division in autumn or spring (perennials). Propagate all perennial artemisias by semi-hardwood cuttings taken from midsummer to autumn, or raise from seed. Propagate rhizomatous species by root division in autumn. Directly sow the annual species A. annua into the garden in spring, or raise as seedlings and transplant at 6 weeks. |
Maintenance: |
Lightly prune and shape perennial bushy artemisias in spring. Prune southernwood heavily in spring. Artemisias are a drought-tolerant group once they are established, and perennial forms have good frost tolerance. |
Pests and Diseases: |
Wormwoods are very rarely troubled by pests or diseases. |
Harvest: |
By seed sown in spring (annuals, perennials, and A. d. subsp. dracunculoides); by semi-ripe cuttings with a heel in summer (shrubby species); by division in autumn or spring (perennials). Harvest the leaves as required to use fresh or dried. |
Varieties: |
'Lambrook Silver' Has luxuriant silver gray foliage. Height: 75cm (30in) |
Height: |
1m (3ft) |
Width: |
60-90cm (24-36in) |
Hardiness: |
Z3-9 |
Parts Used: |
Whole plants, leaves, Shoot, Berries, Fruits |
Chemical Constituents: |
Thujone (absinthol)
Volatile oils
|
Properties: |
An aromatic, diuretic, bitter herb that has anti-inflammatory effects and acts as a tonic for the liver, digestive system, and nerves. It stimulates the uterus and expels intestinal worms. |
Known Effects: |
Depresses central nervous system
Thujone causes mind-altering changes,may lead to psychosis
Increases stomach acidity
Miscellaneous Information:
Wormwood can be habit-forming, like ethyl alcohol.
|
Possible Additional Effects: |
May treat anxiety
Potential mild sedative
May stimulate appetite
|
Medicinal Uses: |
Internally for digestion, poor appetite, gall bladder complaints, and roundworms. Taken in small doses for short-term treatment only. Not given to children or pregnant women. Externally for bruises and bites. To treat worm infestation, bloating, liver ailments, loss of appetite, and anemia. Germany's Commission E has approved the use of wormwood to treat dyspeptic complaints, such as heartburn, bloating, and loss of appetite. Wormwood is used to treat symptoms associated with poor digestion, including wind. In many cultures it is regarded as a valuable remedy for worm infestations and other parasitic infections of the gut. It is also used as a nerve tonic and to treat fever and menstrual complaints. |
Typical Dose: |
A typical dose of wormwood is 1 to 2 ml of liquid extract taken three times daily. |
Warnings and Precautions: |
Don't take if you:
Are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or plan pregnancy in the near future.
Consult your doctor if you:
Take this herb for any medical problem that doesn't improve in 2 weeks (There may be safer, more effective treatments.)
Take any medicinal drugs or herbs including, aspirin, laxatives, cold and cough remedies, antacids, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, supplements, other prescription or non-prescription drugs.
Pregnancy:
Dangers outweigh any possible benefits. Don't use.
Breastfeeding:
Dangers outweigh any possible benefits. Don't use.
Infants and Children:
Treating infants and children under 2 with any herbal preparation is hazardous.
Others:
This product will not help you and may cause toxic symptoms.
Storage:
Store in cool, dry area away from direct light, but don't freeze.
Store safely out of reach of children.
Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture may change the action of the herb.
Safe Dosage:
Consult your doctor for the appropriate dose for your condition.
|
Possible Side Effects: |
Wormwood's side effects include vomiting, dizziness, and headache |
Drug Interactions: |
Taking wormwood with these drugs may reduce the seizure threshold: |
Amitriptyline, (Elavil, Levate) |
Amoxapine, (Asendin) |
Bupropion, (Wellbutrin, Zyban) |
Carbamazepine, (Carbatrol, Tegretol) |
Ciprofloxacin, (Ciloxan, Cipro) |
Desipramine, (Alti-Desipramine, Norpramin) |
Doxepin, (Sinequan, Zonalon) |
Fosphenytoin, (Cerebyx) |
Ganciclovir, (Cytovene, Vitrasert) |
Imipramine, (Apo-Imipramine, Tofranil) |
Levetiracetam, (Keppra) |
Methylphenidate, (Concerta, Ritalin) |
Metoclopramide, (Apo-Metoclop, Reglan) |
Metronidazole, (Flagyl, Noritate) |
Moxifloxacin, (Avelox, Vigamox) |
Nortriptyline, (Aventyl HCl, Pamelor) |
Ofloxacin, (Floxin, Ocuflox) |
Olanzapine, (Zydix, Zyprexa) |
Oxcarbazepine, (Trileptal) |
Phenobarbital, (Luminal Sodium, PMS-Phenobarbital) |
Phenytoin, (Dilantin, Phenytek) |
Prochlorperazine, (Compazine, Compro) |
Quetiapine, (Seroquel) |
Tramadol, (Ultram) |
Venlafaxine, (Effexor) |
Taking wormwood with these drugs may interfere with the absorption of the drug: |
Ferric Gluconate, (Ferrlecit) |
Ferrous Fumarate, (Femiron, Feostat) |
Ferrous Gluconate, (Fergon, Novo-Ferrogluc) |
Ferrous Sulfate, (Feratab, Fer-Iron) |
Ferrous Sulfate and Ascorbic Acid, (Fero-Grad 500, Vitelle Irospan) |
Iron-Dextran Complex, (Dexferrum, INFeD) |
Polysaccharide-Iron Complex, (Hytinic, Niferex) |
|
Disease Effects: |
May worsen ulcers by irritating the gastrointestinal tract. |
Supplement Interactions: |
Increased risk of thujone toxicity when taken with herbs containing thujone, such as Oak Moss, Oriental Arbor-Vitae, Tansy, and Tree Moss. |
Toxicity: |
Rated slightly dangerous, particularly in children, persons over 55 and those who take larger than appropriate quantities for extended periods of time. |
Adverse Reactions, Side Effects, or Overdose Symptoms: |
Signs and Symptoms: |
What to do: |
|
Convulsions |
Seek emergency treatment |
Stupor |
Seek emergency treatment |
Trembling |
Discontinue. Call doctor when convenient. |
|
Bibliography: |
Encylopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright ©: 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited pp 130-132 The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD. Pp.497-499 The Complete Illustrated Book of Herbs by Reader's Digest Copyright©2009 The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. Pg 17 Vitamins, Herbs, Minerals & Supplements The Complete Guide by H. Winter Griffith, MD Copyright©1998 Fisher Books pp. 466-467 |