Overview

Wormwood is a plant called Artemisia absinthium. It is used as a flavoring. It is also the source of the alcoholic beverage known as absinthe. The leaves and flowers of the plant are used to make essential oils and dietary supplements. Wormwood is used for many reasons, but its benefits for any use are not well defined. Although it seems to be well tolerated, there is not enough research to know what side effects it may cause. There is some concern that high doses of wormwood can cause seizures. Before taking wormwood, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are taking.

Uses

What is wormwood used for?

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is used for many reasons. However, the benefits of wormwood are not well defined. Some common reasons for using wormwood include the following.

• Indigestion
• To increase appetite
• To improve gut and digestive health

Note: The FDA has not reviewed wormwood for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here. Learn more about essential oils and aromatherapy here.

How does wormwood work (mechanism of action)?

Wormwood is a bitter-tasting plant called Artemisia absinthium. It is used to flavor bitters, vermouth, and other spirits. Wormwood is also the plant that is used to make the alcoholic beverage known as absinthe. The leaves and flowers are used to make tea, essential oil, and dietary supplements.

Wormwood contains chemicals that can act as antioxidants and reduce swelling (inflammation) in the digestive tract. But it is not clear if taking wormwood can help improve appetite or any conditions in the gut.

Some of the chemicals in wormwood can help kill parasites, worms (helminths), and insects. This has led to interest in using wormwood for many reasons, such as intestinal worms. But these chemicals must be present in high concentrations, and taking wormwood by mouth is not expected to provide enough of these chemicals to kill any organisms. If you are concerned that you have or are at risk for an infection from a parasite or worm, speak with a health care provider right away.

Herbal products, such as wormwood, naturally contain many chemicals. Although wormwood supplements and essential oils are made from the same parts of the plant, they do not contain the same chemicals. Essential oils are made by heating up the leaves and flowers of wormwood until certain chemicals, called volatile aromatic compounds, are released. The amounts of each chemical in a specific wormwood product may vary. Some, none, or all of these chemicals may have effects on the body. These effects may change depending on how much of each chemical is found in the product you are using.

How should I store wormwood?

You should store wormwood according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of wormwood?

Wormwood seems to be well tolerated when taken in usual doses. But there is not enough research to know what the common side effects may be. Also, wormwood contains a chemical called thujone that may cause seizures at high doses. See the Warnings & Precautions for more information. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that bother you.

There may be side effects of wormwood that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of wormwood?

While less common, the most serious side effects of wormwood are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Wormwood may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using wormwood and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

• Breathing problems or wheezing
• Racing heart
• Fever or general ill feeling
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
• Itching or skin rash
• Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
• Stomach cramps
• Joint pain

Seizures. A chemical in wormwood, called thujone, can cause seizures. This is more likely to happen with higher doses of thujone (see Warnings & Precautions to learn more). There are many types of seizures, and some of them are not easy to recognize. Stop taking wormwood and call your health care provider if you have any of the following signs that a seizure is happening or could happen.

• Muscle twitching, jerking, spasms, tremors, or other uncontrolled movements
• Stiffening of your arms and legs
• Feeling anxious, nervous, confused, or a sense of dread
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• Falling or losing consciousness

Precautions

Who should not use wormwood?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use wormwood.

• Artemisia absinthium
• Artemisinin
• Common wormwood
• Thujone
• Wormwood
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific wormwood products they stock.

What should I know about wormwood before using it?

Wormwood is used as a flavoring agent. It is also available as a dietary supplement and an essential oil. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are using, or use it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep wormwood out of the reach of children.

Wormwood contains thujone, a chemical that can cause seizures when taken in large amounts. In the U.S., drinks made from wormwood are required to be thujone-free. But wormwood essential oils and supplements may still contain thujone. It is not clear how much thujone is safe to take each day, and most products do not state the amount of thujone on their labels. Follow the instructions on the label of the product you are using, and avoid using multiple wormwood products. It may also be best to avoid taking other essential oils that contain thujone, such as sage oil and thuja oil.

Herbal products, such as wormwood, naturally contain many chemicals. The amount of each chemical in a specific wormwood product can change for many reasons, including the area where the plant was grown, the weather during growth, the time of year when it was harvested, and the way that the plant was processed after it was harvested. If you switch to a new bottle or a different brand, you may not have the same effects or side effects because of this variability. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.

Wormwood is available in many forms, including tea, flavoring, essential oil, dried and ground powder, capsule, and more. Each of these forms may contain different amounts of the chemicals that are naturally found in the plant.

If you are taking wormwood liquid or powder, use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose, such as the device included with the product. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Read the label carefully, and measure the amount stated on the label.

Other artemisia plants may also be called wormwood. For example, Artemisia annua, which is found in many supplements, is known as sweet wormwood. But some dietary supplements may refer to all artemisia plants as “wormwood.” These plants are not the same and contain different chemicals that have different effects in the body. Read the product label carefully to confirm which plant it contains.

The FDA has not tested wormwood products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using wormwood?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if wormwood is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Allergies to Certain Plants.Wormwood is part of the Asteraceae (daisy) family of plants. People who have an allergy to other plants in this family may be more likely to have an allergic reaction to wormwood. Some examples of other common plants in the Asteraceae family include arnica, echinacea, marigold, chamomile, yarrow, ragweed, asters, and chrysanthemums. If you have an allergy to one of these plants, talk to your health care provider before taking wormwood.

Other Current and Past Health Conditions.Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

• Kidney or liver problems
• Seizures

Pregnancy. Wormwood may cause harm to a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if wormwood passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does wormwood interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between wormwood and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect wormwood.

Does wormwood interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

The interactions between wormwood and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with wormwood is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking wormwood with any medicines.

Dosing

What should I do if I accidentally use too much wormwood?

If you or someone else has used too much wormwood, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Wormwood is available in many forms and doses. Some wormwood products contain thujone, which may cause seizures when taken in large amounts. Read the product label closely, and speak with a health care provider about how to take wormwood safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.