Artemisia is also known as wormwood, absinthium, absinthe wormwood, common wormwood, green ginger or grand wormwood. It is a silvery-green foliage known for its medicinal, culinary and aromatic properties
Source: Orginally hailing from Asia, Europe and North Africa, Wormwood now grows abundantly in North and South America
Benefits:
Anti-Parasitic: Used very often to clear up parasitic infestations in concert with Clove and Black Walnut Hull. Parasites such as roundworms and pinworms are effectively neutralized by Wormwood
Liver Health: Hepatoprotective benefits decrease oxidative stress and inflammation in the liver. Commonly used to help clear out liver and bile duct congestion
Digestive Health: Due to it being a bitter herb, it affects the bitter sensing tastebuds which stimulate salivation, bile production from the liver, stomach acid production and peristalsis of the GI tract.
Increasing stomach acid and bile production decreases SIBO in those afflicted, improving gut flora and digestion
Anti-Inflammatory: Having very effective anti-inflammatory effects, it brings relief to those suffering from chronic inflammation and joint issues like arthritis or fibromyalgia
Risks: Due to a naturally occurring drug within wormwood, Thujone, it is advised to take this medicament in moderation and monitor for any side effects, especially for alcohol distilled concoctions of Wormwood. Side effects of Wormwood alcoholic tinctures have been known to cause gastrointestinal issues, neurotoxic issues and when abused can cause mental illness. Dizziness can also come about in smaller doses
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not ingest Wormwood
Those with gallstones or gallbladder issues should abstain from taking this. In any case, consult with a doctor before trying wormwood as a remedy
Sustainability: This plant does not suffer from many disease beyond “root rot” from overly watered and saturated soil. Due to its short harvest time, weeks to a couple months, there is no shortage of this medicine
Processing: The blossoming, aromatic branch tips of this plant are what get harvested and processed for use as a tea, tincture or powder
Resources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2758403/ - Growing uses in medicine
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17240130 - Effects on Crohn’s disease
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01126931 - Aids in increasing appetite
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-12-tea-infusions-wormwood-schistosomiasis-faster.html - Used to clear up parasitic infection of schistosomiasis
https://researchmatters.in/news/scientists-study-ability-sweet-wormwood-fighting-breast-cancer - Wormwood effects against breast cancer
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/artemisia-absinthium - Overview of Artemisia
