Benefits of Wormwood

Are you looking for natural food sources to intensify the sexual desire or stimulate the imagination, then you have landed at the right place. We are going to blow away your mind with the information we are going to share about this amazing herb called “Wormwood”. The wormwood extracts are used in many soaps, cosmetics, and perfumes. This profound herb is also used for medicinal purposes in treating upset stomach, gallbladder disease, intestinal spasms, liver diseases, depression, muscle pain, or worm infections.

Besides all these advantages, wormwood has several health benefits but before looking at these benefits, let us give you a glimpse of the history of ‘Wormwood’.

History of Wormwood

The scientific name of Wormwood Artemisia Absinthium and is native to Europe, North America, and Siberia. The legendary Chinese emperor Shen-Nung used to taste every plant or herb to check if it tastes good and how they are beneficial for the health. This proves that the history of Wormwood was as far as 2800 BC. This herb was also used as medicine in the 1840s for the first time by French Foreign Legion troops. The use of wormwood leaves in making alcohol was mentioned in the Bible and Egyptian papyri. From ancient times, this incredible plant was used as a repellent for moths and fleas, as a pesticide as well as worming medicine.

A Greek philosopher named Pythagoras and Hippocrates (Father of Medicines) recommended this plant that eased childbirth and for menstrual pain, rheumatism, and anemia respectively. In the past, Romans have used wormwood as stuffing for the goose.

In the modern world, still, this herb is used in making mild sedatives, eliminating worms, and lowering fever. This herb also increases appetite and improves digestion. Still in many countries, like Morocco, add its leaves in their tea to keep away the cold. In other countries, it is used for wounds, skin ulcers, blemishes, and insect bites.

Nutritional facts of Wormwood leaves

The given chemical composition and nutritional facts are for 100 gm of wormwood leaves:

Health benefits of Wormwood

The plant compound of wormwood is Thujone that has amazing health benefits but moderate amounts should be consumed to avoid any toxic side effects. The below mentioned are some of the health benefits of ‘Wormwood’:

Treatment of Crohn’s Disease: Inflammation in the digestive system has symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue, and these symptoms lead to Crohn’s disease. A small study was conducted on 40 adults having Crohn’s disease, which revealed that they are not needed to administer any steroids if given 1500 mg of wormwood extracts. After giving these extracts, there was a noticeable reduction in symptoms of Crohn’s disease. Another study showed that after taking wormwood supplements, there was a 65% emission of Crohn’s disease. Along with Crohn’s disease, if 750 mg of wormwood supplement is taken thrice a day for 6 weeks, it largely improves the mood of the patient.

1. Gets Rid of Parasitic Infection: Parasites like pinworm, roundworm, or tapeworm adversely affect human intestines as well as digestive health. From ancient times, wormwood was used to treat any ailment caused by these parasites. This herb is most effective in warding off malaria fever caused by the protozoan parasite. The leaves of this plant are used to make anti-malaria tea.
2. Treats Arthritis and Alleviate pain: Wormwood herb has long been used as a pain-relieving agent as well as to reduce inflammation. Painful and inflamed joints lead to disease, osteoarthritis which is curable by applying ointments and creams that have wormwood extracts. Patients suffering from Rheumatoid arthritis are given wormwood supplements for 12 weeks that greatly reduce joint pains. Many pieces of research have been carried out and found that wormwood extracts are the safest and most effective in treating these joint problems. Another clinical study has found that 3% of wormwood ointment alleviates pain and improves function in patients suffering from osteoarthritis.
3. Digestion Improvement: Many clinical studies have established the fact that wormwood’s medicinal abilities escalate the saliva production and digestive enzymes that increases the intestinal muscle movements, make food movement easy along the digestive tract, and in return maintain healthy digestion. As we know 70% of the good bacteria reside in our digestive system and these good bacteria support a better immune system as well as healthy digestion. All these supreme working of the digestive tract supports and sustains the overall health of the body.

Side effects of Wormwood

Wormwood is safe to use for a short period i-e 2-4 weeks but if taken more than this period and in excess, then it can cause serious side effects such as insomnia, nausea, vertigo, hallucinations, seizures, and restlessness. And because of these hallucinations effects, people with the following conditions should avoid using wormwood:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Anyone suffering from epilepsy
• Heart diseases
• Kidney diseases
• Allergies

Final verdict

Though wormwood is safe to use, one should be very careful about the dosage and if anyone faces any sort of side effects or allergies, she/he should immediately consult a doctor as wormwood may contradict some medicines. Wormwood is not safe for children to use.