PDR for Herbal Medicines

830 /WORMWOOD PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Habitat: Wormwood grows in Europe, northern Africa, parts

of Asia, and North and South America.

Production: Wormwood consists of the fresh or dried upper

shoots and leaves, the fresh or dried basal leaves, or a

mixture of the aerial plant parts from Artemisia absinthium,

that is harvested during flowering season from cultivated or

wild plants.

Other Names: Green Ginger, Absinthe

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Volatile oil: with a high level (varies a great deal among

different strains) of (+)-thujone, cis-epoxy ocimene. trans-

sabinyl acetate or chrysanthenyl acetate

Sesquiterpene bitter principles: including absinthine, anab-

sinthine, artabsine and matricine

EFFECTS

The cholagogic, digestive, appetite-stimulating and wound-

healing effects ascribed to the drug are attributed to the

essential oils and amaroids. A significant increase of alpha-

amylase, liapse, bilirubin and cholesterol has been observed

during the 70 to 100 minutes during which patients with liver

disorders were given a suspension of 20 mg extract in 10 ml

water via a duodenal probe. In rabbits, fever induced through

yeast injection was reduced by using an esophageal probe to

administer diverse fractions of the drug. In vitro, a watery

extract of the whole drug is supposed to retard the growth of

Plasmodium falciparum. The essential oil of the drug may

possess an antimicrobial effect. The drug also stimulates the

bitter receptors in the taste buds of the tongue. When bitter

agents are introduced into the mouth, they trigger a reflexive

increase of stomach secretion with higher acid concentration.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Loss of appetite


• Dyspeptic complaints


• Liver and gallbladder complaints
  Unproven Uses: In folk medicine, wormwood preparations
  are used internally for gastric insufficiency, intestinal atonia,
  gastritis, stomachache, liver disorders, bloating, anemia,
  irregular menstruation, intermittent fever, loss of appetite
  and worm infestation. Externally, the drug is applied for
  poorly healing wounds, ulcers, skin blotches and insect bites.
  Efficacy in the above-mentioned popular uses is insufficient-
  ly documented.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
General: Due to the drug's thujone content, the internal
administration of large doses can lead to vomiting, stomach
and intestinal cramps, headache, dizziness and disturbances

of the central nervous system. Continuous use is not

advisable. The use of volatile oils and spirituous extracts

from the drug for the manufacture of alcoholic drinks is

forbidden in many countries because of possible injuries to

health.

Drug Interactions: The thujone componant may lower the

seizure threshold. Caution must be exercised when adminis-

tering this herb to patients that have a predisposition to

seizures. Drugs that are used to control seizures may have

decreased effectiveness. Wormwood preparations should not

be administered in conjunction with drugs that are known to

lower the seizure threshold.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Comminuted herb is used for

infusions and decoctions. Powdered herb, extracts and

tinctures in liquid or solid forms are used for oral administra-

tion. Combination with other bitters or aromatics is common.

Preparation: To prepare an infusion, pour 150 ml boiling

water over 1/2 teaspoonful of the drug, strain after 10

minutes. A decoction is prepared by adding 1 handful of

drug to 1 liter of boiling water for 5 minutes. To prepare a

tea, use 1 g drug in 1 cup water.

Daily Dose: The total daily dose is 3 to 5 g of the herb as an

aqueous extract. Internal dose of the infusion is 1 cup freshly

prepared tea taken 30 minutes before each meal. The tincture

dosage is 10 to 30 drops in sufficient water taken 3 times

daily. The liquid extract dosage is 1 to 2 ml taken 3 times

daily.

Externally, a decoction is used for healing of wounds and

insect bites.

Storage: Wormwood must be kept in sealed containers and

protected from light.

LITERATURE

Akhmedov IS et al., (1970) Khim Prir Soedin 6:691.

Akhmedov IS et al., (Artabin, a new lactone from Artemisia

absinthium). In: Khim Prid Soed 5:622. 1970.

Baumann IC et al., (1975) Z Allg Med 51 (17):784.

Beauhaire J et al, (1981) Tetrahedron Letters 22 (24):2269.

Beauhaire J, Fourrey JL, (1982) J Chem Soc Perk Trans: 861.

Del Castillo J et al., (1975) Nature 253:365.

Dermanovic S et al., (1976): 87.

Greger H, Hofer O, New unsymmetrically substituted

tetrahydrofuran lignans from Artemisia absinthium. In:

Tetrahedron 36(24):3551. 1980.

Greger H, (1978) Phytochemistry 17:806.

Hoffman B, Herrmann K, (1982) Z Lebensm Unters Forsch 174

(3):2II.