Wormwood, Artemisia absinthium

 Wormwood

Artemisia absinthium

a species of Artemisia of family Asteraceae. 

It is native to temperate regions of Asia, Europe, and Northern Africa, also found in the United States and Canada and is grown as an ornamental plant and is used as an ingredient of spirit absinthe.

It is used as herbal medicine in Unani and Ayurveda

Wormwood contains numerous compounds responsible for its biological activities, including:

Essential oils

Bitter sesquiterpene lactones

Absinthin isomers

Bitter compounds, such as artemisinin

Phenolic acids

Flavonoids

Coumarins

Lactones

Terpenoids (e.g., α-thujone, β-thujone, γ-terpinene, myrcene, 1,4-terpeniol, bornyl acetate, camphene, cadinene, trans-sabinyl acetate, guaiazulene, camphor, linalool, pinene)

Organic acids

Resins

Phenols

Tannins

Actions: antioxidant, antifungal, Anticancer, antimicrobial, anthelmintic, anti-ulcer, anticarcinogenic, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, antidepressant, analgesic, immunomodulatory, and cytotoxic activity

A. absinthium contains many phytochemical compounds like, lactones, terpenoids (e.g., trans-thujone, γ-terpinene, 1,4-terpeniol, myrcene, bornyl acetate, cadinene camphene, trans-sabinyl acetate, guaiazulene, chamazulene, camphor, and linalool), essential oils, organic acids, resins, tannins, and phenols. It also contains flavonoids (e.g., quercitin), flavonoid glycosides such as isorhamnetin-3-O-rhamnose glucoside, isoquercitrin, quercitin-3-O-D-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-rhamnoglucoside, and isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside, and phenolic acids (coumaric, syringic, salicylic, chlorogenic, and vanillic acids) which contribute to free radical scavenging mechanism. In addition, it has been reported that methanolic A. absinthium extract contains isoflavone glycosides that are characterized as Artemisia isoflavonyl glucosyl diester and bis-isoflavonyl dirhamnoside. Studies document that A. absinthium essential oils are rich in myrcene, trans-thujone, cis-epoxyocimene, cis-chrysanthenyl acetate, and trans-sabinyl acetate are the most common compounds found. The medicinal efficacy of wormwood is often based on its bioactive ingredient in the dimeric guaianolides absinthins, as it is used more effectively than other Artemisia species as it contains approximately 0.2% of absinthins. In addition, fresh wormwood is considered the best source of azulene, yielding between 40 and 70 mg % of azulene.

 

Traditionally Wormwood is used for several disorders including hepatocyte enlargement, hepatitis, gastritis, jaundice, wound healing, splenomegaly, dyspepsia and indigestion, flatulence, gastric pain, anemia, anorexia, esophageal bowel syndrome with irritation, weak memory tremors, depression, epilepsy, chronic fever, skin diseases, gout, rheumatism, and a anthelmintic and insect repellent.

It also has been documented to alleviate pains during labor and for the management of sclerosis and leukemia. It is widely used in the food industry for the production of aperitifs, spirits, and bitters. Additionally, A. absinthium ointment has been used externally to reduce the stiffness of muscles and joints as well as help in healing bruises. Furthermore, wormwood is employed to relieve childbirth pain and it is also employed to relieve pains during the menstrual cycle, and for the cardiac disorder and hypertension.

A. absinthium leaves were of great importance in botany and pharmaceuticals and are used in folk medicine against various diseases.

*Caution: long-term use of A. absinthium leads to some neurotoxic effects due to the presence of thujone and its analogues. Administration of high dose of A. absinthium can cause central nervous system disorders, intestinal cramps, vomiting, dizziness, and headaches. A. absinthium essential oil is contraindicated in pregnant females, nursing mothers, and individuals with allergy, hyperacidity, and peptic ulcer patients.

*Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only, not intented to diagnose or treat any illness, see you physician for more information.

*This is not all the information on Wormwood Artemisia absinthium, please follow links below for more 

Compiled by TMBKelley

Pic; My Wormwood 

(Artemisia absinthium)

Sources:

https://www.bing.com/search?FORM=KCEXPL&q=artemisia+herba-alba&filters=sid:%2208a28442-f322-f624-9daa-7d22ad7a6166%22+lite:%22.S2NkUmVsYXRpb25eZDdhNjQ2NjQtMTNmMC1mNDJhLTFlZGEtYmU1YWY0Y2ViODA0Xl5eXiRFbnRpdHkyX2Vu%22

https://www.bing.com/search?q=compounds+in+wormwood&form=ANNTH1&refig=34783C0992E842A5ACEF3F300B07063E&pc=HCTS

https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/9/6/353