Scientific Name: Wormwood
Other Names: Absinthe, Ajenjo, Armoise, Artemisia absinthium, Green Ginger, Madderwort, Wermut

Who is this for?

Uses

In 1975, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) placed wormwood in the Unsafe category. Although the list of unsafe herbs is no longer maintained, wormwood should be avoided because it contains thujone, a chemical similar in structure to tetrahydrocannibinol (THC), the active chemical in marijuana. No scientifc evidence proves that thujone has marijuana-like effects, but if it is taken by mouth, thujone may cause nerve damage and other serious side effects, including death. Wormwood should not be taken by mouth for any reason.

For topical use, oil may be extracted from fresh wormwood leaves. Alternately, the dried aerial or "above ground" parts (flowers, leaves, and stems) of wormwood may be soaked in olive oil, vinegar, or water. The resulting oily rub or watery wash may be applied directly to the skin or used as a poultice to relieve minor skin surface irritations such as insect bites, scrapes, and sunburn. A poultice usually consists of a soft cloth that has been soaked in a medication, possibly heated, and applied to an injured area of skin surface. Wormwood contains chemicals that promote healing by increasing blood flow to areas where it is applied. Chemicals contained in wormwood may have also mild anti-infective properties that may help keep skin injuries from becoming infected.

Wormwood is not considered safe to take by mouth. While it is not recommended for oral use by any individuals, members of certain groups should be particularly careful to avoid taking wormwood:

• Pregnant women should not take or use wormwood due to the risk of miscarriage. In animal studies, wormwood caused the muscles of the uterus to tighten, which could result in miscarriage.
• Individuals with epilepsy should not use wormwood because it may cause seizures.
• Because wormwood may increase the body's production of stomach acid and also may irritate the lining of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, individuals who have ulcers or other GI conditions should not use it.

Precautions

Wormwood belongs to the same family of plants that also includes chrysanthemums, daisies, and ragweed. Individuals who are sensitive to any of these types of plants may also be sensitive to topical wormwood oil or wash.

What side effects should I watch for?

Major Side Effects

Wormwood should not be taken by mouth due to the possibility of severe side effects.

In the past, many individuals who consumed large amounts of wormwood or the absinthe liquor made from it developed a set of severe symptoms known as absinthism. The exact cause of absinthism may have been specific chemicals in the wormwood or other factors, such as contaminants or high alcohol content. Symptoms of absinthism include:

• Thirst
• Trembling
• Hallucinations
• Seizures
• Muscle paralysis
• Death

Recently, at least one case of kidney failure has been associated with the oral use of wormwood oil.

Cases of seizures have also been reported among individuals who used wormwood or drank alcoholic beverages containing it. Exactly what caused the seizures is not known; contaminants or other factors could be involved.

Less Severe Side Effects

If it is taken orally, wormwood may also cause:

• Abdominal cramps
• Dizziness
• Drooling
• Insomnia
• Vomiting

In one study, individuals who drank alcohol with 100 mg of thujone per liter showed longer reaction times and less ability to focus their attention than they did when they drank the same amount of alcohol with 10 mg of thujone per liter or with no thujone. Additionally, the higher thujone content seemed to reduce the calming effect generally produced by alcohol consumption.

Wormwood belongs to the same family of plants as daisies, so individuals who are sensitive to daisies, chrysanthemums, comfrey, or ragweed may also be sensitive to wormwood. Cases of itching and rash have been reported from touching or handling the growing wormwood plant.

What interactions should I watch for?

Prescription Drugs

The effectiveness of drugs that prevent seizures may be decreased if oral wormwood is taken at the same time. Drugs to prevent seizures include:

• carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• Cerebyx
• divalproex
• Keppra
• lamotrigine
• oxcarbazepine
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• Topamax
• valproic acid
• zonisamide

If wormwood is taken by mouth, it may increase the production of stomach acid, potentially interfering with Histamine-2 (H-2) receptor blockers and proton pump inhibitors.

• Some H-2 receptor blockers are:
  • cimetidine (Tagamet)
  • famotidine (Pepcid)
  • nizatidine (Axid)
  • ranitidine (Zantac)
• Some proton pump inhibitors are:
  • Aciphex
  • Nexium
  • omeprazole (Prilosec)
  • pantoprazole (Protonix)
  • Prevacid

Non-Prescription Drugs

The possibility that wormwood can increase the production of stomach acid could interfere with the effectiveness of antacids and over-the-counter medications such as omeprazole OTC, Pepcid AC, Prilosec OTC, and Zantac AR.

Some interactions between herbal products and medications can be more severe than others. The best way for you to avoid harmful interactions is to tell your doctor and/or pharmacist what medications you are currently taking, including any over-the-counter products, vitamins, and herbals. For specific information on how wormwood interacts with drugs, other herbals, and foods and the severity of those interactions, please use our Drug Interactions Checker to check for possible interactions.

Should I take it?

Wormwood and other species of Artemisia contain substances with a bitter taste. Some of these substances, which have been proven to treat malaria and jaundice, are included in drugs that are used in Asia and Africa. Some research into their use for a wider variety of drugs is in early stages. A promising area of study involves potential antiviral effects for a German commercial product containing wormwood, cardamon, and rose. In a small study of individuals with Crohn's disease, the combination produact helped lessen both the symptoms of the disease and the need for steroid drugs. In the past, wormwood was used to treat other conditions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including indigestion and intestinal worms.

As a highly aromatic perennial shrub, wormwood is often included in ornamental landscaping. In Africa, Asia, and India, some types of wormwood are grown on farms. Thriving in mild climates, it grows easily, reaching about 3 feet tall. Wormwood has gray-green leaves covered with fine hairs that give them a silvery look and a fuzzy feel. Yellow flowers bloom during the summer and early fall. Insects are repelled by its smell, so wormwood oil or wash may be rubbed or sprayed onto human skin, animal fur, or garden plants as a natural insect repellant. In some parts of Europe, wormwood sprigs are placed in closets and cupboards to keep away moths, weevils, and other insects. Currently, a thujone-free derivative of wormwood may be used to flavor vermouth.

Wormwood is also a major ingredient in another strong alcoholic drink known as absinthe, which has a bright green color. Often called by names such as "Green Fairy", absinthe was outlawed in the early part of the 20th century, after significant numbers of those drinking it suffered from hallucinations, coma, and death. Currently, absinthe may not be made or sold in the United States. Recently, however, some European countries have removed restrictions on absinthe after new research questioned the exact causes of absinthism. Excessive alcohol consumption or contamination with toxic substances may be responsible for at least some of the harmful effects attributed to drinking absinthe. Individuals who decide to use absinthe should consume only small amounts of commercially made products with a thujone content of no more than 35 mg per liter.

Dosage and Administration

Wormwood should not be taken by mouth due to the possibility of severe side effects.

An oil derived from wormwood may contain up to 70% of thujone depending on where the wormwood plants were grown, when they were harvested, and how they were processed. In general, more thujone is present in commercially grown plants and those collected in mid-summer than wild wormwood or cultivated plants that are harvested in autumn.

Oil or other topical forms of wormwood may be applied to unbroken skin as often as needed. If the skin blisters or irritation develops at the site of application, however, the use of topical wormwood should be stopped.

Topical forms of wormwood should be kept in clearly marked, tightly closed containers that are stored out of the reach of children and pets.

Summary

Taking wormwood by mouth is not safe. Oral use of wormwood is discouraged.

Liquid preparations made by pressing oil from wormwood leaves or by soaking wormwood flowers, leaves, and stems in oil, vinegar, or water may be applied to minor skin injuries.

Risks

A cannabinoid-like chemical known as thujone in wormwood makes it unsafe to take by mouth--particularly for pregnant women and individuals who have epilepsy or gastrointestinal disorders. Applying wormwood products to the skin or touching the plants may result in allergic reactions for individuals who have allergies to plants in the daisy family.

Side Effect

Absinthism, a condition caused by chronic ingestion of wormwood or absinthe (a type of liquor made from it), may produce numbness, hallucinations, seizures, and death. Less serious side effects may include dizziness and insomnia from oral wormwood and rash from topical wormwood.

Interactions

Taken by mouth, wormwood may interfere with drugs that prevent or lessen seizures and drugs that reduce stomach acid. The effects and side effects of drinking alcohol may be intensified by consuming wormwood.

Last Revised August 1, 2008

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Last Revised August 1, 2008

Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.

In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.

This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.

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