ARTEMISIA ABSINTHIUM

COMMON NAME : Wormwood

FAMILY :                Asteraceae (Daisy family)

HABITAT / GROWING :

Indigenous to maritime areas of Britain and Europe..

PARTS USED :  Aerial parts

TRADITIONAL & MODERN USE:

Traditionally used as a bitter digestive remedy, anti-parasitic, to stimulate menstruation., and also to alleviate

fevers.

An ingredient in absinthe and vermouth.

Modern use – tonic for the liver, gallbladder and digestive system. Also has a stimulant action on the central

nervous system. Warming, aromatic digestive. Tincture can be used externally in a shampoo to treat nits. It

can be used by travellers to change the smell of sweat to discourage insects.

The bitter sesquiterpenes and flavonoids in the EO stimulate the production of gastrin, which has a role in

regulating gastric secretions. Bitter components are responsible for the action on the gastrointestinal tract.

MAIN  CONSTITUENTS:

·        Santonin - antiparasitic

·        Thujone – stimulates menstrual flow, restorative and calming in moderate doses. Toxic and abortifacient

         in large doses.

·        Artemisin – this is being used in China as an anti-malarial drug against chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium

          falciparum.