WORMWOOD: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is an herb used in the alcoholic drinks vermouth and absinthe. Its oil contains the chemical thujone, which may be poisonous.

The thujone in wormwood oil excites the central nervous system and can cause seizures and other adverse effects. Other chemicals in wormwood might decrease swelling.

People use wormwood for digestion problems, Crohn disease, a kidney disorder called IgA nephropathy, osteoarthritis, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. There is also no good evidence to support using wormwood for COVID-19. Using thujone-containing wormwood products can be unsafe.

Don't confuse wormwood with Artemisia herba-alba, Mugwort, Sweet Annie, Wormseed, or Ginger. These are not the same.

View References

REFERENCES:

Benezet-Mazuecos, J. and de la Fuente, A. Electrocardiographic findings after acute absinthe intoxication. Int J Cardiol. 11-10-2006;113(2):e48-e50. View abstract.

Dettling, A., Grass, H., Schuff, A., Skopp, G., Strohbeck-Kuehner, P., and Haffner, H. T. Absinthe: attention performance and mood under the influence of thujone. J Stud.Alcohol 2004;65(5):573-581. View abstract.

Hien, T. T., VinhChau, N. V., Vinh, N. N., Hung, N. T., Phung, M. Q., Toan, L. M., Mai, P. P., Dung, N. T., HoaiTam, D. T., and Arnold, K. Management of multiple drug-resistant malaria in Viet Nam. Ann.Acad.Med Singapore 1997;26(5):659-663. View abstract.

Huisman, M., Brug, J., and Mackenbach, J. Absinthe--is its history relevant for current public health? Int J Epidemiol. 2007;36(4):738-744. View abstract.

Krishna, S., Bustamante, L., Haynes, R. K., and Staines, H. M. Artemisinins: their growing importance in medicine. Trends Pharmacol.Sci 2008;29(10):520-527. View abstract.

Omer, B., Krebs, S., Omer, H., and Noor, T. O. Steroid-sparing effect of wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) in Crohn's disease: a double-blind placebo-controlled study. Phytomedicine. 2007;14(2-3):87-95. View abstract.

Trevett, A. and Lalloo, D. A new look at an old drug: artemesinin and qinghaosu. P.N G Med J 1992;35(4):264-269. View abstract.

Basiri Z, Zeraati F, Esna-Ashari F, et al. Topical effects of Artemisia Absinthium ointment and liniment in comparison with piroxicam gel in patients with knee joint osteoarthritis: a randomized double-blind controlled trial. Iran J Med Sci 2017;42(6):524-31. View abstract.

Boudjelal A, Smeriglio A, Ginestra G, Denaro M, Trombetta D. Phytochemical Profile, Safety Assessment and Wound Healing Activity of Artemisia absinthium L. Plants (Basel) 2020;9(12):1744. View abstract.

El Makrini NI, Hassam B. Artemisia absinthium: burning plant! Pan Afr Med J. 2016 Jan 22;23:10. View abstract.

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182

Gambelunghe C, Melai P. Absinthe: enjoying a new popularity among young people? Forensic Sci Int 2002;130:183-6. View abstract.

Gilani AH, Janbaz KH. Preventive and curative effects of Artemisia absinthium on acetaminophen and CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity. Gen Pharmacol 1995;26:309-15. View abstract.

Hold KM, Sirisoma NS, Casida JE. Detoxification of alpha- and beta-Thujones (the active ingredients of absinthe): site specificity and species differences in cytochrome P450 oxidation in vitro and in vivo. Chem Res Toxicol 2001;14:589-95. View abstract.

Kim MS, Na HJ, Han SW, et al. Forsythia fructus inhibits the mast-cell-mediated allergic inflammatory reactions. Inflammation 2003;27:129-35. View abstract.

Kocaoglu C, Ozel A. Persistent metabolic acidosis and severe diarrhoea due to Artemisia absinthium poisoning. J Pak Med Assoc. 2014 Sep;64(9):1081-3. View abstract.

Krebs S, Omer B, Omer TN, Fliser D. Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) for poorly responsive early-stage IgA nephropathy: a pilot uncontrolled trial. Am J Kidney Dis. 2010 Dec;56(6):1095-9. View abstract.

Krebs S, Omer TN, Omer B. Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) suppresses tumour necrosis factor alpha and accelerates healing in patients with Crohn's disease - A controlled clinical trial. Phytomedicine. 2010 Apr;17(5):305-9. View abstract.

Lachenmeier DW, Emmert J, Kuballa T, Sartor G. Thujone--cause of absinthism? Forensic Sci Int 2006;158:1-8. View abstract.

Lachenmeier DW, Walch SG, Padosch SA, Kroner LU. Absinthe--a review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2006;46:365-77. View abstract.

Mueller MS, Runyambo N, Wagner I, et al. Randomized controlled trial of a traditional preparation of Artemisia annua L. (Annual Wormwood) in the treatment of malaria. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2004;98:318-21. View abstract.

Muto T, Watanabe T, Okamura M, et al. Thirteen-week repeated dose toxicity study of wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) extract in rats. J Toxicol Sci 2003;28:471-8. View abstract.

Olsen RW. Absinthe and gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2000;97:4417-8. View abstract.

Padosch SA, Lachenmeier DW, Kroner LU. Absinthism: a fictitious 19th century syndrome with present impact. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy 2006;1:14. View abstract.

Rakhshandeh H, Heidari A, Pourbagher-Shahri AM, Rashidi R, Forouzanfar F. Hypnotic Effect of A. absinthium Hydroalcoholic Extract in Pentobarbital-Treated Mice. Neurol Res Int 2021;2021:5521019. View abstract.

Weisbord SD, Soule JB, Kimmel PL. Poison on line-acute renal failure caused by oil of wormwood purchased through the internet. N Engl J Med 1997;337:825-7.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.

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WORMWOOD - Uses, Side Effects, and More

Overview

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Side Effects

Special Precautions and Warnings

Interactions ?

Moderate Interaction

Medications used to prevent seizures (Anticonvulsants) interacts with WORMWOOD

Dosing

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