according to age and condition; of the powder, 3–4 grains twice a day.
EXTERNALLY: The oil of wormwood is an effective ingredient in liniment for sprains, bruises, lumbago,
etc. Fomentation from the hot tea is excellent for rheumatism, swellings, sprains, and local inflammations.
HOMEOPATHIC CLINICAL: Tincture of fresh root for catalepsy, chorea, convulsions, epilepsy,
hydrocephalus, hysteria, somnambulism, worms.
RUSSIAN EXPERIENCE: Wormwood, known in Russia as polin, is considered the most bitter plant in the
world; 10,000 parts water to 1 part wormwood will still have a bitter taste. It used to be thought that the
bitter taste of wormwood was due to the plant’s absorption of bitter human sufferings and the dissolution
of mankind, therefore its properties would drive sickness from the body and restore peace and calmness
to the soul (similia similibus curantur). In the eighteenth century a toast to joy, happiness, and pleasure
was accompanied by a drop of wormwood in a cup.
It is written by the most ancient that wormwood has many healing properties. Today science confirms
that it contains absentine and anabsentin, vitamin C, and volatile oil. Lonicerius wrote: “The herb, leaves
and flowers added to food and beverage is useful for the stomach, promotes bile, warms the body and
expels poison.” Folk medicine: Uses the medicine straight or in compound with sage, mint, sunflower
leaves, etc., depending on conditions being treated. Nastoika (with vodka), tea, decoctions for
indigestion, appetizer, gastritis, stomach ulcers, dysentery, tuberculosis of the lungs, liver and spleen
conditions, kidney and bladder, headache, purifying poisoned blood, fever, bleeding, etc. Decoction of 1
teaspoonful to 1 cupful of water, steeped and cooled, used as an enema, will kill intestinal worms.
Externally: Many centuries ago Pliny wrote: “If pedestrians keep some Wormwood on his body,
especially the feet, he will not be tired.” Russians in the seventeenth century used the juice for wounds
and foul ulcers. (Vishaya Schkolla, Moscow, 1963). Can be used as compresses and poultices for bruises,
injuries, or insect bites. Green bruised leaves for corns. Flowers and leaves scattered on the floor and
furniture will discourage unwanted house insects (Bello-Russ. Academy of Science, Minsk, 1965).
Clinically: Extract for spasm, bronchial asthma, rheumatism, eczema, burns (X ray or other) (Atlas,
Moscow, 1963).
INDIAN AND PAKISTANI EXPERIENCE: Called afsantin or vilayati afsantin, the plant is used much as in the
United States and Russia. They use the whole herb but prefer the leaves, and consider the fresh plant more
effective than the dried. As tonic, aromatic, anthelmintic. Uses: It is praised highly for round- and
tapeworms. Powder, 10–60 grains. Small doses are used for dispersing the yellow bile of jaundice from
the skin, and for liver and spleen conditions. A tonic for the stomach, digestive system, anemia, female
complaints, amenorrhea, general debility, wasting diseases. A decoction as an enema for intestinal
worms, which will kill them instantly. The oil is anthelmintic; they mix one part of it with eight parts olive
oil and give it in 50–100-gram doses.