Wormwood: Artemisia absinthium L.Tr 1:3 45%

Botanical Name

Artemisia absinthium
(Family: Asteraceae)

Plant Part Used: Aerial parts (leaf and flowering tops)

Overview

Wormwood is a strongly bitter, aromatic herb traditionally used to support digestion, appetite, and parasite-clearing protocols. Historically famous as a component of absinthe, wormwood contains thujone, a compound that is neurotoxic in excess, which makes proper dosage and duration essential.

Used correctly, wormwood is a potent bitter digestive stimulant, carminative, and antimicrobial herb.

Safe when used at proper doses for short periods, wormwood should be avoided during pregnancy, in seizure disorders, and in individuals with liver or kidney disease. Ideal for use in targeted therapies, not as a daily tonic.

Key Actions

Bitter tonic

Antimicrobial / antiparasitic (anthelmintic)

Carminative (relieves gas)

Choleretic (increases bile flow)

Digestive stimulant

Febrifuge

Primary Uses

Digestive weakness, poor appetite, sluggish digestion

Gas, bloating, and indigestion

Parasite cleanse support (short-term, targeted use)

Hypochlorhydria / low stomach acid

Nausea related to digestive stagnation

Loss of appetite during illness or recovery

Important: Wormwood should not be used long-term.
Typical maximum: 2–4 weeks, unless supervised by a qualified practitioner.

Safety & Cautions
⚠️ Key Concern: Thujone Content

Wormwood naturally contains thujone, which can cause neurological symptoms in high doses or with prolonged use.
Safe use depends on short duration, proper dosing, and avoiding high-thujone extracts.

Do NOT use if you have:

Pregnancy (strictly contraindicated)

Breastfeeding

Seizure disorders / epilepsy

Severe liver disease

Kidney disease

Active ulcers or GI inflammation

Serious Toxicity (overdose or prolonged use)

Seizures

Kidney irritation

Drug Interactions

Use with caution or avoid when taking:

Anticonvulsants (may reduce effectiveness)

Sedatives or CNS-active drugs

Medications affecting the liver (hepatically metabolized drugs)

Anticoagulants (due to volatile constituents)

Do not combine with other thujone-containing herbs (e.g., sage essential oil, tansy).

Use Recommendations

Best taken short-term, typically in digestive or parasite-cleansing formulas.

Always follow lower dosing initially—it is a very potent herb.

Avoid essential oil internally (highly concentrated thujone).