Supplements Herbal Supplements What Is Wormwood? Improves Digestion, Reduces Pain and Inflammation By Lindsay Curtis Lindsay Curtis LinkedIn Twitter Lindsay Curtis is a health writer with over 20 years of experience in writing health, science & wellness-focused articles. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 04, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Meredith Bull, ND Medically reviewed by Meredith Bull, ND Facebook LinkedIn Meredith Bull, ND, is a licensed naturopathic doctor with a private practice in Los Angeles, California. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents What Is Wormwood Used For? Possible Side Effects Dosage and Preparation What to Look For Frequently Asked Questions Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is a perennial herb that grows back every year. It has been used for medical purposes for thousands of years. Wormwood's name stems from its historical use as an antiparasitic. The essential oil from this hearty, bitter-tasting herb has also been used to help with digestion, pain management, and to reduce swelling. This article explains how wormwood is used medicinally, and what's known from medical research about how it works. It also discusses available forms of wormwood and any possible side effects. zetat / iStock / Getty Images Also Known As Absinthe Absinthium Green ginger Madderwort Mugwort What Is Wormwood Used For? Studies have tested many uses for wormwood. While research is limited, here's what is known. Crohn's Disease Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory condition of the digestive system. Symptoms include intense stomach pain, diarrhea, and tiredness. Research suggests there are benefits for people with Crohn's disease who take wormwood, but the results are drawn from small sample sizes. In one study, 10 people with the disease were given 750 milligrams (mg) of dried powdered wormwood three times a day for six weeks, in addition to their regular treatment. Ten other people who did not receive wormwood served as a control group. Among those who took wormwood, eight of the 10 reported fewer symptoms while just two in the control group said their symptoms improved. The study also found those who took the supplements had improved mood when compared with the control group. A different, older study included 40 adults with Crohn’s disease. They were given either 1,500 mg of wormwood a day or a placebo. Symptoms were greatly improved in 65 percent of those taking wormwood, compared with just 15 percent in the control group. The patients taking wormwood also did not need as many steroids—a common Crohn’s medication—after eight weeks of supplements. Small studies of wormwood's use in people with Crohn's disease may show promising results. However, more research is needed on whether it is safe and effective. Parasites Parasites such as pinworm, roundworm, and tapeworms can infect the intestines and cause digestive health problems. Treatments drawn from compounds in wormwood have been used to treat these infections. However, most research on wormwood's use as an anti-parasitic is based on animal study results that can't be interpreted as having the same value in humans. One such study in mice, published in the Journal of Helminthology, found that wormwood caused parasites to lose muscle function and die. The treatment was shown to work as well as some leading anti-parasitic drugs. Digestion About two-thirds of Americans experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as gas, bloating, heartburn, stomach pain, constipation, and diarrhea. Research shows that wormwood can help with digestion and reduce spasms in the intestines and stomach. Wormwood also can boost appetite and help produce saliva, other digestive enzymes, or proteins that help with metabolism and support healthy digestion. Pain Management A small study showed that wormwood can improve pain and reduce swelling in the body. The research included 42 people who received either 300 mg of wormwood extract per day, 600 mg of the extract per day, or a placebo for 12 weeks. Participants who took 300 mg per day said their pain levels were better, but the other two groups didn't have the same effect. A review of research literature published in 2018 found that all Artemisia species like wormwood are helpful herbal medicines for pain. They are thought to have antioxidants that help protect your cells through a chemical reaction. They also may reduce swelling. Arthritis and Immune Support Inflammation is linked to many long-term diseases, acute and chronic pain, and reduced immune function. Artemisinin—a compound found in wormwood—may help. It stops the body from making cytokines, a kind of protein that causes inflammation. Some people use wormwood to relieve the pain and swelling caused by arthritis. One study of 180 people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) looked at differences between those given either wormwood extract or a placebo for 12 weeks. Those taking the wormwood reported significant joint pain relief, with wormwood found to be safer than some common drugs used to treat RA. Another study of 90 people with knee pain found that putting 3 percent wormwood ointment on sore joints reduced pain and improved physical function in patients with osteoarthritis. Recap Wormwood is a medicinal herb that's been used for thousands of years. It shows promise in treating Crohn's disease and parasite infections in the gut. It also may improve digestion and immune system function, or help to treat pain, including arthritis pain. Possible Side Effects of Wormwood Wormwood is relatively safe for short-term use of two to four weeks by adults, and it has been used longer-term as lesser doses upward of 10 weeks. Unaltered wormwood contains a chemical compound in it called thujone, which can become toxic, even in small amounts, and these products should be consumed with caution due to the potential for serious side effects. Because of this, wormwood products made in the US are required to have less than 5ppm thujone per dose. Side effects may include: Sleeping issues Vomiting Nausea Dizziness Hallucinations The need to constantly move Seizures Because wormwood contains ingredients that may cause toxic effects, people with certain medical conditions should not take wormwood. Contraindications include: Pregnant or breastfeeding: Animal studies show wormwood may cause miscarriage. Epilepsy or another seizure disorder: Wormwood contains thujone, which is known to cause seizures. Wormwood may also reduce the effects of some anti-seizure drugs. Heart disease: If you are taking Coumadin (warfarin) for heart health, wormwood may cause bleeding. Kidney disease: Wormwood is toxic to the kidneys and may lead to kidney failure. Allergies: Wormwood is part of the Asteraceae family. If you are allergic to anything in this group, such as ragweed or marigolds, avoid wormwood. Though wormwood is safe for most adults to use for a short time, it is important to discuss using it with your doctor and pharmacist. In some cases, it may not be taken along with certain drugs. Wormwood is not safe for children. Wormwood Dosage and Preparation There are currently no specific dosage guidelines for wormwood. Be sure to follow all recommended dosages on the labels of commercially available wormwood products. Large amounts can cause serious side effects. Wormwood is usually used as a tea. It also may be used as an extract, in some cases applied to the skin as an essential oil. Dried (not fresh) leaves can be used to make wormwood tea. Wormwood tea recipe: Let 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of dried wormwood leaves sit in one cup (250 mL) of boiling water. Let it sit for five to 10 minutes; the longer it steeps, the more bitter the flavor. Add peppermint, honey, or lemon juice to taste (not required). What to Look For Wormwood is available at health food stores and online. It may be found in essential oil, pill, and liquid extract forms. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) lists wormwood as unsafe for internal use because it contains thujone, which is toxic. The FDA requires all wormwood products sold in the U.S. to be thujone-free. Be sure to look for a product that contains a seal of approval from a third party organization that provides quality testing. These organizations include U.S. Pharmacopeia, ConsumerLab, and NSF International. A seal of approval confirms that the product was properly manufactured, contains the ingredients listed on the label, and does not contain harmful levels of contaminants. Summary Wormwood is proven to have many benefits but be sure to talk to your doctor before taking it. It is also important to think about the possible side effects and decide if the benefit is worth the risk. A Word From Verywell Wormwood is a nutrient-dense herb that has proven benefits for people with Crohn’s disease and arthritis. It can also remove unwanted parasites from the body, such as pinworm and malaria, and helps with healthy digestion. As with any dietary supplement, it is important to speak with your healthcare professional before using wormwood. They may be able to guide you to the right form and dosage of wormwood for you. Frequently Asked Questions Is wormwood a hallucinogenic herb? Yes, but it takes a lot of wormwood to cause psychoactive effects. Wormwood contains a chemical compound known as thujone, which can cause hallucinations. However, the amount of thujone present in products containing wormwood is minimal. Does wormwood treat parastic infections in people? Possibly. Animal studies show wormwood is a useful agent against internal parasites. However, it is unclear whether it has the same effects on humans. What are the side effects of wormwood? Side effects of wormwood include dizziness, hallucinations, nausea, restlessness, seizures, sleeping issues, and vomiting. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 15 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. 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;17(5):305-9. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2009.10.013 Omer B, Krebs S, Omer LM, Noor TO. Immune modulation by wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) – results of a double blind, placebo controlled trial on Crohn's disease patients. 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