Key takeaways

  • Wormwood is an herb with historical use in traditional medicine and as an ingredient in absinthe, known for its distinctive flavor and aroma.
  • The plant contains thujone, a compound that can be toxic in large quantities and has led to restrictions on wormwood-containing products, though small amounts are generally considered safe.
  • While research into wormwood’s benefits for pain relief, parasitic infections, and inflammation is ongoing, its use should be approached with caution, especially by certain individuals.

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is an herb that’s prized for its distinctive aroma, herbaceous flavor, and purported health benefits.

While native to Europe, it grows readily across a wide range of climates, including parts of Asia, Africa, South America, and the United States.

It has velvety white or greenish-silver stems, yellow-green leaves, and bulbous flowers that are bright or pale yellow. All parts of the plant have been used in traditional medicinal practices for hundreds of years.

It gained notoriety for its use in absinthe, a French liqueur favored by many 19th-century artists. However, it was purported to cause numerous adverse effects like hallucinations and seizures, and was considered a potential poison.

As such, wormwood was banned in the United States for nearly 100 years, but in 2007, it became legally available again, provided the liqueur meets specific regulations.

This article provides a detailed look at wormwood, reviewing its benefits and uses, dosage information, and potential downsides.

A note on wormwood supplements and essential oils

Wormwood stems, leaves, and flowers are usually dried for brewing into a tea. The herb can also be found in supplement form, herbal blends, or extracted into an essential oil for topical application.

Many of these products are available online or in drugstores as capsules, extracts, and tinctures, but it’s important to note that supplements, herbal remedies, and essential oils aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

As such, the quality, quantity, and type of ingredients in a product may differ from those listed on the ingredients label. Plus, the product can make claims that aren’t backed by research, solely for marketing purposes.

Before taking any supplements, consider speaking with a healthcare professional, pharmacist, or registered dietitian. They can help you determine whether a certain product is right for you.

Wormwood is typically taken as an extract or tea. Its oil is made from the plant’s stems and leaves, whereas an extract or tincture may use the entire plant.

These formulations lack calories, vitamins, or minerals but contain a wide range of biocactive plant compounds. Some of these include:

  • lactones
  • artemisinin
  • αlpha-thujone
  • beta-thujone
  • bornyl acetate
  • 4-Terpineol
  • camphene
  • camphor
  • myrcene
  • guaiazulene
  • quercetins
  • salicylic acid

The best-known compound in wormwood is thujone. It occurs in two forms, alpha- and beta-thujone, which differ at the molecular level. While alpha-thujone is the primary active ingredient in wormwood, it’s considered more toxic.

Thujone is thought to excite your brain by blocking gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that has calming effects on the central nervous system.

Although this compound may have several benefits, consuming thujone in excess is toxic and has been linked to seizures and even death.

Wormwood is commonly used to add flavour to absinthe and other spirits, but it may have several medical applications.

May alleviate pain associated with some medical conditions

Wormwood has long been sought for its potential pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. In particular, worwoom may help relieve pain associated with:

However, more research is needed to fully understand which parts of the plant are best for managing pain and the appropriate dosage.

May help fight parasitic infections

Wormwood has been used to treat parasitic infections, such as intestinal worms, pinworms, and roundworms, for hundreds of years. This parasite-fighting property is attributed to thujone.

Yet, the evidence for this specific application is largely anecdotal. And, healthcare professionals don’t recommend using wormwood or absinthe to treat these infections due to reported side effects.

Thus, more comprehensive studies are necessary.

Boasts antioxidant properties

Wormwood contains many bioactive plant compounds, such as flavonoids and phenols, that may help fight free radicals that cause oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress is associated with a wide range of chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease.

The antioxidant properties of wormwood may be most concentrated in the essential oils of the plant’s pre-flowering stage. But more research on wormwood’s antioxidant properties is needed.

May fight inflammation

Some animal studies have found that wormwood may help fight inflammation, which is associated with several chronic diseases.

In particular, a 2020 study found that wormwood helped manage colitis symptoms in mice and reduced tissue inflammation and edema.

Artemisinin, another plant compound found in wormwood, could help reduce inflammation in your body by inhibiting cytokines, proteins secreted by your immune system that promote inflammation.

Keep in mind that further research is needed.

Other possible benefits

Due to its possible anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and antifungal properties, wormwood has been used as a complementary remedy for a wide range of acute and chronic medical conditions, including:

Many of the purported claims are anecdotal or based on animal or in vitro research. More human studies are needed to fully understand wormwood’s potential role in managing these conditions.

Several side effects have been reported from taking higher doses of wormwood essential oils or absinthe, an alcoholic beverage. Some of these side effects include:

Researchers haven’t identified specific doses that can cause these side effects. You’re unlikely to experience them if you consume small doses, such as those found in tea. Very large amounts of products with thujone may be fatal, though their lethal dose in humans has not been established.

Certain populations may wish to avoid wormwood. This includes people who are pregnant or nursing, and those with an underlying medical condition, such as:

Finally, you shouldn’t take wormwood for more than 4 weeks. This duration is considered long term, and the herb’s long-term safety and side effects are unknown.

Due to limited research, there are no specific dosage guidelines for wormwood. Various government institutions have also placed restrictions on wormwood products, as its compounds can produce toxic effects.

In the United States, the FDA restricts any commercial product containing thujone to 10 parts per million (ppm) or less. This amount is considered negligible and thus safe for most populations.

Keep in mind that wormwood tea and extracts aren’t regulated by the FDA. Thus, they don’t fall under these regulations and may harbor significantly more thujone.

If you’re unsure how much to take, it’s best to connect with a healthcare professional or pharmacist.

Wormwood is a bitter herb used as an ingredient in absinthe. While it isn’t hallucinogenic, its plant compound thujone can be toxic and even fatal in large amounts.

All the same, wormwood may offer numerous benefits when taken in moderation. These include fighting inflammation and parasitic infections, as well as relieving pain.

People who have epilepsy or are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking certain medications should avoid wormwood.

As with any supplement, consider speaking with a healthcare professional before using wormwood, especially because its long-term effects and specific dosage guidelines are not known.