Wormwood
Artemisia absinthium
A bitter herb recognized in Europe as a traditional medicine for temporary loss of appetite and mild heartburn and stomach and gut complaints.
What is Wormwood?
- Plant family
- Asteraceae, the daisy family
- Parts used
- The above-ground parts (herb)
- Genus
- Artemisia
- Species
- absinthium
Traditionally used for
- Loss of appetite
- Indigestion
- Heartburn
Traditionally described as
- Bitter
Health topics
Where Wormwood appears in symptom search, and why. Being listed doesn't mean it's a proven treatment.
- Indigestion
Recognized in Europe as a traditional medicine for mild heartburn and stomach complaints.
- Loss of Appetite
Recognized in Europe as a traditional medicine for temporary loss of appetite.
Traditions that use it
European Folk Medicine
Recognized in Europe as a traditional herbal medicine for loss of appetite and mild stomach and gut complaints.
Safety
Who should avoid it
Don't use wormwood if you have liver disease, a blocked or inflamed bile duct, or an allergy to wormwood or other daisy-family plants. Ask a doctor first if you have gallstones or other bile problems.[1]
Side effects
No side effects have been reported.[2]
Pregnancy
There's little or no data on use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so it isn't recommended at these times.[1]
How much to use
Wormwood medicines are for adults only. See a doctor if symptoms get worse or last longer than 2 weeks.[2]
What does the research say?
Traditional use
These are traditional uses, not proven treatments.
Based on long-standing use, the European Medicines Agency recognizes wormwood herb as a traditional herbal medicine for adults:
- Temporary loss of appetite
- Mild heartburn and stomach and gut complaints
It is taken as a tea, powder, juice or tincture.[2]
Laboratory & animal research
Lab and animal results show what might be worth studying in people. They don't show that the herb has these effects in humans.
In rats, wormwood preparations protected against stomach ulcers. Its bitter compounds may stimulate the gut, which makes its use for poor appetite plausible. There are no studies in patients with these conditions.[2]
In short
For adults only; don't use it with liver disease, a blocked bile duct, or during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Sources
- [1] European Union herbal monograph on Artemisia absinthium L., herba — European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC)Government health agency
- [2] Wormwood herb (Artemisia absinthium L., herba): summary of the HMPC conclusions (EMA/366468/2017) — European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC)Government health agency
This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.