Artemisia  absinthium. Common wormwood   Family: Asteraceae
Wormwood was the basis for the alcoholic drink "absinthe", which was popular in the 19th century but susequently banned because of its dangerous properties. In large does it causes insomnia, nightmares, vomiting, and convulsions.[5] However it is possible to make a thujone free extract of the herb.[6] Wormwood is widely used as a flavouring agent in liqueurs.
PART USED: Leaves and flowering tops, collected during late summer.
TASTE: Very bitter   ODOR: Aromatic. Characteristic.
ACTIONS
1. Anthelmintic.[1,2,4]
2. Bitter tonic.[1,2]
3. Emmenagogue.
4. Stomachic.[1,2,4]
5. Choleretic.[1,4]
6. Antiinflammatory.[1]
INDICATIONS
1. Anorexia.[1,2]  Atonic dyspepsia.[1,2] Colic.[2]
2. Thread-worm or roundworm infestation. Nematode infestation (round worm or thread worm).[1]
SPECIFIC INDICATIONS: Infestation with Enterobius or Ascaris.[1]
CONTRAINDICATIONS- The volatile oil should not be taken internally, wormwood is contraindicated during pregnancy.[2]
COMBINATIONS
- Vermifuge for children, use with Juglans.
PREPARATIONS  3X /day
Dried herb  1-2 g[1,2,4] or by infusion 1:10.[1,2]
Leaf 1:1 in 25% alcohol.[3]
Fluid extract 1:1 in 25% alcohol 1-2 ml.[1,2,4]
Tincture Absinthium BPC1934 4-16 ml.[4]

ORIGIN: Europe, North Africa and Western Asia.Cultivated widely including USA and Canada.
DESCRIPTION: Shrubby perennial herb. Leaves; 5-12 cm long, 2-3 pinnately divided, the lobes abovate or lanceolate. Flower heads; green yellow 2-3 mm long, 1-2 mm in diameter, ovoid or hemispherical and arranged in panicles. Florets; tubular.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Constituents
Research
Wormwood has been used for hundreds of years for many types of disorders; for colds, rheumatism, as a cardiac stimulant, carminative, antiseptic. The azulenes are antiinflammatory (see Chamomile), and the choleretic effects have been demonstrated in man.[1] Thujone however is toxic, it has hallucinogenic and addictive properties which have led to the suggestion that it interacts with a common receptor in the central nervous system to that of tetrahydrocannabinol, the active constituent in Indian Hemp.[2]
The anthelmintic properties are probably due to the sesquiterpene lactones present.[3]
References
[1] Baumann, I. C. et al. (1975) Z. Allg. Med. 51 (17), 784
[2] Del Castillo, J. et al. (1975) Nature 253, 365
[3] Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations  R.C. Wren Revised by Elizabeth M. Williamson and Fred J Evans. First published in Great Britain in 1988 and reprinted in 1989 and 1994 by the C. W. Daniel Company Limited. 1 Church Path, Saffron Walden Essex. Published 1988 Printed and bound by Biddles, Guildford ISBN 085207 1973.

Volatile composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Artemisia absinthium growing in Western Ghats region of North West Karnataka, India
Rajesh Kumar Joshi
Abstract
Context: Artemisia absinthium L. (Asteraceae) is an aromatic, herbaceous, perennial plant commonly known as wormwood. Artemisia absinthium is traditionally used as an anthelmintic, antiseptic, antispasmodic and for bacillary dysentery, cancers and neurodegenerative diseases.
Objective: The essential oil composition of the leaves of A. absinthium growing in the Western Ghats region of North West Karnataka, India, is investigated for the first time in this region and the oil was screened for antimicrobial properties.
Materials and methods: The chemical composition of the hydro-distilled essential oil obtained from the leaves of A. absinthium was analyzed by GC-FID and GC/MS. The oil was tested against five Gram positive and, eight Gram negative bacteria and three fungi by the tube-dilution method at a concentration range of 5000–9?µg/mL.
Results: Results demonstrated that the leave oil was found to be rich in oxygenated monoterpenes (39.7% and 41.1%). The major compounds were borneol (18.7% and16.7%), methyl hinokiate (11.9% and 12.9%), isobornyl acetate (4.0% and 4.7%), ß-gurjunene (3.8% and 4.4%) and caryophyllene oxide (3.7% and 4.3%), among 64 identified compounds, comprising 91.7% and 90.1% of the total oil. The organism Micrococcus luteus was found more susceptible to the oil with an MIC value of 25?±?4?µg/mL, followed by Micrococcus flavus, Bacillus subtilis, Penicillium chrysogenum and Aspergillus fumigatus with MIC values of 58±?8, 65±8, 84±15 and 91±?13µg/mL, respectively.
Discussion and conclusion: The oil showing antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi validate the traditional use of the plant as an antiseptic.
09 Apr 2013 https://doi.org/10.3109/13880209.2013.768676 tandfonline.com

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) suppresses tumour necrosis factor alpha and accelerates healing in patients with Crohn's disease - A controlled clinical trial.
Krebs S, Omer TN, Omer B.
Abstract
Suppression of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and other interleukins by wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) extracts were reported recently in in vitro studies. The aim of the present study was to find out if this effect can be also be observed in Crohn's Disease (CD) patients where TNF-alpha appears to play an important role. In a controlled trial, 10 randomly selected patients suffering from CD were given in addition to their basic CD therapy 3x750mg dried powdered wormwood for 6 weeks. Ten patients, also randomly selected who met the inclusion criteria served as control group. Minimum score of 200 on Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) was required at baseline for inclusion in each group. Patients who received infliximab or similar were excluded from the trial. TNF-alpha level in serum were measured at baseline, and after three and six weeks. During this period all concomitant CD medications was maintained at the baseline dose levels. Average serum TNF-alpha level fell from 24.5+/-3.5pg/ml at baseline to 8.0+/-2.5pg/ml after six weeks. The corresponding levels in the control group were 25.7+/-4.6 (week 0), and 21.1+/-3.2 (week 6). On the clinical side, CDAI scores fell from 275+/-15 to below 175+/-12 in wormwood group with remission of symptoms in eight patients (CDAI score below 170 or reduction by 70 points), compared to only two in the placebo group (CDAI of placebo group 282+/-11 at baseline and 230+/-14 on week 6). IBDQ also reflected accelerated clinical response with wormwood. Of clinical significance were the findings that wormwood also improved mood of the CD patients, as reflected in Hamilton's Depression Scale. These findings provide a base to test wormwood in clinical conditions thought to be mediated by increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha.
PMID: 19962291 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2009.10.013 Phytomedicine. 2010 Apr;17(5):305-9. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2009.10.013. Epub 2009 Dec 3. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Role of wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) extract on oxidative stress in ameliorating lead induced haematotoxicity.
Kharoubi O, Slimani M, Krouf D, Seddik L, Aoues A.
Abstract
Effects of ROS generation have been postulated to be major contributors to lead-exposure related disease. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) on oxidative stress in rats protractedly exposed to lead. Aqueous extract of wormwood plant was administered orally (200 mg x kg(-1) body weight). Plasma vitamin C, E and non-protein thiol concentrations, red blood cells (RBC) thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, reduced glutathione levels and haemolysis test were evaluated. In addition, RBC antioxidant enzymes activities such as superoxide dismutases, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase were also estimated. After 11-weeks, significant decreases of plasma vitamin C, E, non protein-thiol (NP-SH) and RBC-reduced glutathione levels were observed in Pb compared to control group (-32.9%, -57.1%, -53.1%, -33.9%, respectively); superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, uric aminolevulinic acid and haemolysis test significantly increased in Pb compared to control group (+64.3%, +40.3%, +145%, +44.3%, respectively). In our investigation, after 4-weeks of treatment all treated groups did not show any difference compared to the control group, except for glutathione peroxidase and RBC-superoxide dismutase activity (-15.7% and +16.4%, respectively). The findings of this study suggest that wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) extract restored the enzymes activities perturbed by exposure to lead, and had a protective role against lipid peroxidation.
PMID: 20161947 PMCID: PMC2816558 Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2008 Apr 10;5(3):263-70. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) for poorly responsive early-stage IgA nephropathy: a pilot uncontrolled trial.
Krebs S, Omer B, Omer TN, Fliser D.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system is a widely accepted approach to treat immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy, whereas the role of fish oils as a supplement is controversial. Tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-a) is considered to be involved in the pathophysiologic process of this disorder. Recent in vitro and clinical observations that wormwood can decrease TNF-a levels has led us to investigate the effect of wormwood as a supplement in patients with IgA nephropathy.
STUDY DESIGN:
Pilot uncontrolled trial.
SETTING & PARTICIPANTS:
10 patients with biopsy-proven IgA nephropathy, normal kidney function, and a history of at least 3 months of proteinuria with protein excretion > 500 mg/d and < 3,500 mg/d despite ongoing dual renin-angiotensin system blockade.
INTERVENTION:
The selected patients were given supplements of 1.8 g/d of thujone-free wormwood preparation for 6 months without discontinuing their renin-angiotensin system blockade.
OUTCOMES:
Proteinuria and blood pressure after intervention compared with baseline values.
MEASUREMENTS:
Monthly assessment of urine protein-creatinine ratio and blood pressure during the observation period.
RESULTS:
Urine protein-creatinine ratio decreased significantly from 2,340 ± 530 to 315 ± 200 mg/g at the end of the supplementation period (P < 0.001) and was stable during the supplement-free follow-up of another 6 months. Estimated glomerular filtration rate and endogenous creatinine clearance were unchanged during the entire study period. There was a moderate, but significant, decrease (P < 0.002) in mean arterial blood pressure.
LIMITATIONS:
Open uncontrolled trial including a small number of patients.
CONCLUSIONS:
Thujone-free wormwood with its favorable safety profile can be an alternative supplement to manage proteinuria in patients with IgA nephropathy.
TRIAL REGISTRATION:
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01126931.
PMID: 20843592 DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2010.06.025 Am J Kidney Dis. 2010 Dec;56(6):1095-9. doi: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2010.06.025. Epub 2010 Sep 16. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Steroid-sparing effect of wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) in Crohn's disease: a double-blind placebo-controlled study.
Omer B, Krebs S, Omer H, Noor TO.
Abstract
In this double-blind study carried out at five sites in Germany, 40 patients suffering from Crohn's disease receiving a stable daily dose of steroids at an equivalent of 40 mg or less of prednisone for at least 3 weeks were administered a herbal blend containing wormwood herb (3 x 500 mg/day) or a placebo for 10 weeks. Besides steroids, 5-aminosalicylates, if dose remained constant for at least 4 weeks prior to entering the trial and/or azathioprine, stable dose for at least 8 weeks, or methotrexate, stable dose for at least 6 weeks, were permitted as concomitant medications. The recruited 40 patients - 20 in each treatment group, were evaluated with the help of a Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) questionnaire, an Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ), the 21-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and an 8-item Visual Analogue Scale (VA-Scale) in 2-week intervals during the first 10 study weeks, and then at week 12, 16 and 20, which were the trial-medication free observation periods. The initial stable dose of steroids was maintained until week 2, after that a defined tapering schedule was started so that at the start of week 10 all the patients were free of steroids. At the end of week 10 the trial medication was also discontinued. The concomitant medications were maintained at the same dose levels till the end of the observation period that was the end of week 20. There was a steady improvement in CD symptoms in 18 patients (90%) who received wormwood in spite of tapering of steroids as shown by CDA-Index, IBDQ, HAMD, and VAS. After 8 weeks of treatment with wormwood there was almost complete remission of symptoms in 13 (65%) patients in this group as compared to none in the placebo group. This remission persisted till the end of the observation period that was week 20, and the addition of steroids was not necessary. In two (10%) patients did the re-starting of corticoids become necessary? On the other hand, the CD conditions of the patients who received the placebo deteriorated after the tapering of steroids, and re-starting steroids became necessary in 16 (80%) patients in this group after week 10. These results strongly suggest that wormwood has a steroid sparing effect. The improvements in HAMD scores indicate that wormwood also has an effect on the mood and quality of life of CD patients, which is not achieved by other standard medications.
PMID: 17240130 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2007.01.001 Phytomedicine. 2007 Feb;14(2-3):87-95. Epub 2007 Jan 19. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Artemisia absinthium (AA): a novel potential complementary and alternative medicine for breast cancer.
Shafi G, Hasan TN, Syed NA, Al-Hazzani AA, Alshatwi AA, Jyothi A, Munshi A.
Abstract
Natural products have become increasingly important in pharmaceutical discoveries, and traditional herbalism has been a pioneering specialty in biomedical science. The search for effective plant-derived anticancer agents has continued to gain momentum in recent years. The present study aimed to investigate the role of crude extracts of the aerial parts of Artemisia absinthium (AA) extract in modulating intracellular signaling mechanisms, in particular its ability to inhibit cell proliferation and promote apoptosis in a human breast carcinoma estrogenic-unresponsive cell line, MDA-MB-231, and an estrogenic-responsive cell line, MCF-7. Cells were incubated with various concentrations of AA, and anti-proliferative activity was assessed by MTT assays, fluorescence microscopy after propidium iodide staining, western blotting and cell cycle analysis. Cell survival assays indicated that AA was cytotoxic to both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. The morphological features typical of nucleic staining and the accumulation of sub-G1 peak revealed that the extract triggered apoptosis. Treatment with 25 µg/mL AA resulted in activation of caspase-7 and upregulation of Bad in MCF-7 cells, while exposure to 20 µg/mL AA induced upregulation of Bcl-2 protein in a time-dependent response in MDA-MB-231 cells. Both MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 was inactivated in both cell lines after AA treatment in a time-dependent manner. These results suggest that AA-induced anti-proliferative effects on human breast cancer cells could possibly trigger apoptosis in both cell lines through the modulation of Bcl-2 family proteins and the MEK/ERK pathway. This might lead to its possible development as a therapeutic agent for breast cancer following further investigations.
PMID: 22311047 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-012-1569-0
Mol Biol Rep. 2012 Jul;39(7):7373-9. doi: 10.1007/s11033-012-1569-0. Epub 2012 Feb 5. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Preventive and curative effects of Artemisia absinthium on acetaminophen and CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity.
Gilani AH, Janbaz KH.
Abstract
1. Effect of aqueous-methanolic extract of Artemisia absinthium (Compositae) was investigated against acetaminophen- and CCl4-induced hepatic damage. 2. Acetaminophen produced 100% mortality at the dose of 1 g/kg in mice while pretreatment of animals with plant extract (500 mg/kg) reduced the death rate to 20%. 3. Pretreatment of rats with plant extract (500 mg/kg, orally twice daily for two days) prevented (P < 0.01) the acetaminophen (640 mg/kg) as well as CCl4 (1.5 ml/kg)-induced rise in serum transaminases (GOT and GPT). 4. Post-treatment with three successive doses of extract (500 mg/kg, 6 hr) restricted the hepatic damage induced by acetaminophen (P < 0.01) but CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity was not altered (P > 0.05). 5. Plant extract (500 mg/kg) caused significant prolongation (P < 0.05) in pentobarbital (75 mg/kg)-induced sleep as well as increased strychnine-induced lethality in mice suggestive of inhibitory effect on microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes (MDME). 6. These results indicate that the crude extract of Artemisia absinthium exhibits hepatoprotective action partly through MDME inhibitory action and validates the traditional use of plant in hepatic damage.
PMID: 7590079 Gen Pharmacol. 1995 Mar;26(2):309-15. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Thirteen-week repeated dose toxicity study of wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) extract in rats.
Muto T, Watanabe T, Okamura M, Moto M, Kashida Y, Mitsumori K.
Abstract
Wormwood, Artemisia absinthium, is a very bitter plant, and its extract has been used as food additives such as seasonings for food and drinks. A 13-week repeated dose toxicity study of wormwood extract was performed in both sexes of Wistar Hannover (GALAS) rats. Rats were divided into 4 groups consisting of 10 males and 10 females each, and were given water containing 0, 0.125, 0.5, or 2% wormwood extract. All rats had survived at the end of the study, and no changes indicating obvious toxicities that are attributable to the treatment of wormwood extract were observed in the body weights, hematological and serum biochemical examinations, organ weights, and histopathological examinations. Based on the results of the present study, the NOAEL (no-observed-adverse-effect-level) of wormwood extract of Wistar Hannover rats was estimated to be 2% (equivalent to 1.27 g/kg/day in males and 2.06 g/kg/day in females) or more.
PMID: 14746350 J Toxicol Sci. 2003 Dec;28(5):471-8. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov