Wormwood has been used to treat numerous ailments since ancient times. In the Middle Ages it was primarily known as a digestive aid. Today, despite its powerful ingredients, it has fallen into oblivion…

Thujone: The dose makes the poison

Essential oils are contained in wormwood between 0.2 and 0.8%. Among them, thujone is particularly noteworthy. This essential oil is not to be taken lightly. While it has a euphoric effect in small amounts, it induces intoxication above a certain amount.

Thujone is toxic in high doses. Symptoms of poisoning are headaches, dizziness and cramps. But don't worry: There are types of wormwood, such as Roman wormwood, that contain far less thujone than real wormwood.

Nevertheless, thujone should not be ignored. It damages the organism, which is why wormwood should not be consumed regularly over a period of several months. From time to time, a tea made from wormwood does no harm.

Bitter substances, tannins and flavonoids

The most important proportion of active ingredients in wormwood are the bitter substances. They account for up to 0.4% in wormwood. That doesn't seem like much, but compared to other plants it's a lot. In particular, the bitter substance called absinthine stands out. It forms the main component in wormwood. Artabsin, matricin and anabsinthin also occur.

In addition to the bitter substances, there are tannins and flavonoids that make wormwood a medicinal plant. They are contained in smaller proportions and are less important for its well-known medicinal properties.

How do the ingredients affect the body?

It is above all the bitter substances in wormwood that are relevant for medicinal purposes. They stimulate the digestive juices. The consumption of wormwood already stimulates the production of saliva in the mouth. In the stomach, the production of gastric acid is increased and the production of bile juice increases sharply.

What can wormwood be used against?

Wormwood has a wide range of uses. It helps externally with inflammatory wounds. Taken internally, for example as a tea, it counteracts:

  • loss of appetite
  • gas
  • heartburn
  • bloating
  • jaundice
  • hepatitis
  • cramps
  • circulatory disorders
  • nervous weakness
  • kidney problems

tips and tricks

Those looking for the maximum amount of active ingredients should harvest wormwood at its peak.

Category:

Herbs