Other common name(s):
absinthium, absinth wormwood
Scientific/medical name(s): Artemisia
absinthium
Description
Wormwood is a shrubby perennial plant whose upper shoots, flowers, and
leaves are used in herbal remedies and as a bitter flavoring for
alcoholic drinks. It is native to Europe, northern Africa, and western
Asia and now also grows in North America.
Overview
Available scientific evidence does not support claims that wormwood is
effective in treating
cancer, the side effects of cancer treatment, or any other conditions.
The plant contains a volatile oil with a high level of thujone (see Thuja.)
There are reports that taking large doses of wormwood internally can
cause serious problems with the liver and kidneys. It can also cause
nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, headache, dizziness, seizures, numbness
of the legs and arms, delirium, and paralysis.
Wormwood should not be confused with sweet wormwood, or Artemisia annua.
While Artemisia
absinthium is related to sweet wormwood, they are used in
different ways. For example, extracts of A. annua are used
in treatment of malaria, and may merit study for cancer treatment in
people after preliminary research is completed.
How is it promoted for use?
Wormwood is promoted as a sedative and anti-inflammatory. There are
also claims that it can treat loss of appetite, stomach disorders,
liver, and gallbladder complaints. In folk medicine it is used for a
wide range of stomach disorders, fever, and irregular menstruation. It
is also used to fight intestinal worms. Externally, it is applied to
poorly healing wounds, ulcers, skin blotches, and insect bites. It is
used in Moxibustion treatments for cancer (see Moxibustion).
Available scientific evidence does not support these claims.
What does it involve?
Wormwood combinations are taken in small doses for a short period of
time, usually a maximum of 4 weeks. It is available in capsules and in
liquid form that can be added to water (tincture). The whole herb is
sometimes brewed as a tea. Wormwood oil, washes, or poultices can also
be used on the skin. Although pure wormwood is not available,
"thujone-free" wormwood extract has been approved by the FDA for use in
foods and as flavoring in alcoholic drinks such as vermouth.
What is the history behind it?
Artemisia absinthium
was used by Hippocrates, and the earliest references to wormwood in
Western civilization can be found in the Bible. Extract of wormwood was
also used in ancient Egypt. The herb is mentioned often in
first-century Greek and Roman writings, and reportedly was placed in
the sandals of Roman soldiers to help soothe their sore feet. It was
taken as a treatment for tapeworms as far back as the Middle Ages.
In 1797, Henri Pernod developed absinthe, an alcoholic drink containing
distilled spirits of wormwood, fennel, anise and sometimes other herbs.
Absinthe became very popular in Europe and the United States in the
19th century. It was eventually banned in several countries in the
early 20th century due to its purported ill effects and addictive
qualities. More recent analysis has suggested that, when properly
prepared and distilled, the thujone content in these drinks was very
low. It appears more likely that the addictiveness and other ill
effects of absinthe were due to its alcohol content, which is around
60% to 85%. Varying additives or impurities from different distillers
may have also produced some of these effects. Even though absinthe is
illegal in some countries, various types can be found in some European
countries. However, their thujone content is strictly limited. Wormwood
is also an ingredient in vermouth and other drinks.
What is the evidence?
Available scientific studies do not support the use of wormwood for the
treatment of cancer or the side effects of conventional cancer
treatment. There is not enough evidence available to support its use
for other conditions.
Some derivatives of Artemisia
annua (sweet wormwood, a relative of Artemisia absinthium)
have been shown to be effective in the treatment of malaria. In fact,
the World Health Organization approved artemisinin, which must be used
with another drug, for use against malaria in Africa in 2004. These
extracts also show promise in lab studies as cancer treatment drugs.
Further studies are required to find out if the results apply to
people. It is important to remember that extracted compounds are not
the same as the whole herb, and study results are not likely to show
the same effects.
Wormwood oil has been tested in the lab ("test tube") and appears to
inhibit the growth of some fungi. However, human tests have not been
completed.
Are there any possible problems or
complications?
This product is sold as
a dietary supplement in the United States. Unlike drugs (which must be
tested before being allowed to be sold), the companies that make
supplements are not required to prove to the Food and Drug
Administration that their supplements are safe or effective, as long as
they don't claim the supplements can prevent, treat, or cure any
specific disease.
Some such products may not
contain the amount of the herb or substance that is written on the
label, and some may include other substances (contaminants). Actual
amounts per dose may vary between brands or even between different
batches of the same brand.
Most such
supplements have not been tested to find out if they interact with
medicines, foods, or other herbs and supplements. Even though some
reports of interactions and harmful effects may be published, full
studies of interactions and effects are not often available. Because of
these limitations, any information on ill effects and interactions
below should be considered incomplete.
Because of its thujone content, taking large doses of wormwood
internally can lead to vomiting, stomach and intestinal cramps,
headaches, dizziness, nervous system problems, and seizures. Wormwood
can also lead to liver failure. The New England Journal of Medicine
reported that a man who ordered essential oil of wormwood over the
Internet, thinking he had purchased absinthe, suffered liver failure
shortly after drinking the oil. Wormwood may also make seizures more
likely (lower the seizure threshold), and interfere with the
anti-convulsant effects from medicines such as phenobarbital.
Thujone, a component of wormwood, is known to cause spasms if
taken internally. In high doses it is known to damage the liver and the
kidneys.
This herb should be avoided, especially by women who are
pregnant or breast-feeding, by people who have had seizures, and by
those with ulcers or stomach irritation.
The plant is a relative of ragweed and daisies. Those with
allergies to these types of plants may also be allergic to wormwood.
Contact with wormwood may cause rashes.
Additional Resources
More Information From Your
American Cancer Society
The following information on complementary and alternative
therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be ordered
from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
Arnold WN. Vincent van Gogh and the thujone connection. JAMA.
1998;260:3042-3044.
Baggot, MJ. Absinthe: Frequently asked questions and some attempted
answers. The Vaults of Erowid Web site. Available at:
http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/absinthe/absinthe_faq.shtml. Accessed
May 8, 2007.
Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs:
Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Austin, Tx: American Botanical Council;
1998.
Bown D. Encyclopedia of
Herbs & Their Uses. New York, NY: DK Publishing
Inc; 1995.
Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Professional's
Handbook of Complimentary and Alternative Medicines.
Springhouse, PA: Springhouse Corp; 1999.
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Edition. Thomson PDR, Montvale NJ, 2004.
Kordali S, Cakir A, Mavi A, Kilic H, Yildirim A. Screening of chemical
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Lachenmeier DW, Emmert J, Kuballa T, Sartor G. Thujone--Cause of
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Miller LG. Selected clinical considerations focusing on known or
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Mutabingwa TK, Anthony D, Heller A, et al. Amodiaquine alone,
amodiaquine+sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, amodiaquine+artesunate, and
artemether-lumefantrine for outpatient treatment of malaria in
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National Toxicology Program. Alpha-Thujone (546-80-5). Available at:
http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/index.cfm?objectid=03DB8C36-E7A1-9889-3BDF8436F2A8C51F.
Accessed May 8, 2007.
PDRhealth. Wormwood. Available at:
http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/herbaldrugs/102980.shtml.
Accessed May 8, 2007.
Rediscovering wormwood: qinghaosu for malaria. Lancet 1992;339:649-651.
Singh NP, Lai HC. Artemisinin induces apoptosis in human cancer cells. Anticancer Res.
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Spencer JW, Jacobs JJ. Complementary/Alternative
Medicine: An Evidence-Based Approach. St. Louis, MO:
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Van Agtmael MA, Eggelte TA, van Boxtel CJ. Artemisinin drugs n the
treatment of malaria: from medicinal herb to registered medication. Trends Pharmacol Sci.
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Weisbord SD, Soule JB, Kimmel PL. Poison on line: acute renal failure
caused by oil of wormwood purchased through the internet. N Engl J Med.
1997;337:825-827.
Note: This information may not cover all
possible claims, uses,
actions, precautions, side effects or interactions. It is not intended
as medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for
consultation with your doctor, who is familiar with your medical
situation.
Revised: 06/19/2007
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