Wormwood Flowering Aerial Parts Extract
Also known as: Wormwood, Absinthe, Absinthium, Ajenjo, Wermut, Artemisia absinthium
Overview
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is a perennial herbaceous plant native to temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. As a supplement, it is derived from the flowering aerial parts (stems, leaves, flowers) of the plant. Traditionally, wormwood has been used for various gastrointestinal disorders, including dyspepsia and intestinal parasites, as well as for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. The plant contains bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and essential oils, notably thujone. Research suggests that wormwood exhibits antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. While in vitro and animal studies are relatively common, high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in humans are limited, indicating a moderate level of research maturity. The available evidence primarily consists of preclinical studies and small clinical trials, with a few systematic reviews focusing on Artemisia species and their gastrointestinal effects.
Benefits
Wormwood has demonstrated several potential health benefits. It is traditionally used for gastrointestinal issues like dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with some evidence suggesting it may relieve gastrointestinal symptoms. Ethanolic extracts of wormwood exhibit significant antifungal activity against Candida species and antibacterial effects, likely due to the disruption of microbial membrane integrity. A pilot clinical study in patients with IgA nephropathy showed that wormwood extract reduced proteinuria and blood pressure, indicating anti-inflammatory effects, possibly through TNF-alpha inhibition. Additionally, wormwood possesses antioxidant activity due to its polyphenolic content. In IgA nephropathy, proteinuria significantly decreased, and blood pressure also showed a notable reduction.
How it works
Wormwood's mechanism of action involves several biological pathways. Its antimicrobial action is attributed to the disruption of microbial membrane integrity and the inhibition of biofilm formation. The anti-inflammatory effects are possibly mediated by the reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha. Wormwood interacts with the gastrointestinal tract, immune system, and potentially the renal system. Known molecular targets include TNF-alpha, an inflammatory cytokine, and microbial cell membranes. While specific pharmacokinetic data are limited, it is believed that polyphenols and essential oils are absorbed orally, although their bioavailability may vary.
Side effects
Wormwood is generally well-tolerated in clinical studies, but some side effects are known. Common side effects are not well-documented in clinical trials, but traditional use suggests it may cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort. Uncommon side effects include potential allergic reactions. The thujone content in wormwood essential oil can be neurotoxic at high doses. Rare side effects include neurotoxicity linked to thujone if consumed in large amounts or improperly prepared extracts. Drug interactions are possible with antihypertensive drugs due to its blood pressure-lowering effects, and caution is advised with CNS-active drugs due to thujone. Contraindications include pregnancy (due to potential uterine stimulation), epilepsy or seizure disorders (due to thujone), and hypersensitivity to Artemisia species. Limited data necessitate caution in children, pregnant women, and patients with neurological disorders.
Dosage
The minimum effective dose of wormwood is not firmly established, but traditional infusions use 2-3 g of dried herb daily. A clinical study in IgA nephropathy used 1.8 g/day of a thujone-free wormwood preparation for 6 months. The maximum safe dose is not well defined, and caution is advised due to thujone toxicity at high doses. Wormwood is typically administered orally, and the timing relative to meals is not standardized. It is available as essential oil, capsules, tinctures, and aqueous extracts, with thujone-free preparations preferred for safety. Polyphenol bioavailability may be influenced by gut microbiota and formulation. No specific cofactors are required.
FAQs
Is wormwood safe for long-term use?
Limited data suggest safety in moderate doses for months, but long-term safety is unclear, especially with thujone-containing extracts. Caution is advised.
Can wormwood be used for digestive issues?
Traditional use supports this, and some evidence indicates antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects beneficial for gastrointestinal health. Consult a healthcare provider.
Does wormwood have antimicrobial properties?
Yes, extracts show significant antifungal and antibacterial activity in vitro. Clinical relevance needs further study to confirm these effects in humans.
What are the risks of thujone?
Thujone can cause neurotoxicity; thujone-free extracts are safer. Avoid high doses of thujone-containing products to minimize risk.
How quickly do benefits appear?
Clinical improvements in nephropathy were seen over 6 months; antimicrobial effects are immediate in vitro, but clinical relevance needs more study.
Research Sources
- https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/10/1/65 – This systematic review on Artemisia species indicates that they, including A. absinthium, have potential as dietary supplements with antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The review supports traditional uses but emphasizes the need for more clinical trials to validate these effects. The quality of evidence is moderate, relying on diverse study types with limited RCTs specifically on wormwood.
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1155/2021/9961089 – This in vitro and ethnopharmacological study found that wormwood ethanolic extract exhibited strong antifungal and antibacterial activity with low cytotoxicity. The study suggests that the mechanism involves membrane disruption and antibiofilm effects. While the in vitro methodology is high quality, the clinical efficacy of these findings has not been established.
- https://www.tmrjournals.com/public/articleHTML/TMR/TMR20200210160-1496/index.html – This noncontrolled pilot clinical study involving 10 patients with IgA nephropathy found that treatment with thujone-free wormwood extract significantly reduced proteinuria and blood pressure, with good tolerability. The study is limited by its small sample size and lack of a control group, but it provides promising preliminary clinical data. The study design limits the overall quality of the evidence.
- https://www.drugs.com/npp/wormwood.html – Drugs.com provides general information about wormwood, including its uses, potential side effects, and interactions. It serves as a reference for understanding the traditional applications and safety considerations associated with wormwood supplementation. The information is intended for educational purposes and should not be considered medical advice.
- https://www.science.gov/topicpages/w/wormwood+artemisia+absinthium – Science.gov provides access to U.S. Federal science research and development results, including information on wormwood (Artemisia absinthium). This resource can offer insights into various scientific studies and findings related to wormwood's properties and applications. It serves as a gateway to government-funded research on the topic.