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Wormwood is a perennial herbaceous plant, growing 60–100 cm tall with a short rhizome. It has a taproot system. The stems are erect, woody at the base, and branched in the upper part. The leaves are alternate and pinnately divided; basal leaves have petioles, lower stem leaves have short petioles, and the upper leaves are sessile. The middle leaves are twice pinnately divided, while the upper leaves are either three-lobed or entire. Both the leaves and stems are grayish-silver in color and densely hairy. The flowers are small and grouped into spherical heads located on short branches, which form panicle-like inflorescences. Each flower head contains about 80 yellow tubular flowers. The fruits are brown achenes about 1 mm long. It flowers from June to August, with fruits ripening from August to September.
The plant has a characteristic strong spicy aroma and a very bitter taste.
Harvesting Raw Material
The herb of wormwood (Artemisiae absinthii herba) is used as medicinal raw material.
Basal leaves and leafy shoots are collected before the plant flowers. Flowering tops (herb) are cut into 20–25 cm lengths during the flowering period of wormwood. If drying is delayed, the herb darkens as it dries. The harvested raw material is spread in a thin layer and dried quickly in an attic, under a shelter, or in dryers at a temperature not exceeding 45°C.
Chemical Composition
The medicinal properties of wormwood are due to the active substances contained in the plant.
Wormwood herb contains essential oil (0.12–2%), flavonoids, tannins, carotene, lignans, organic acids, ascorbic acid, bitter lactones such as absinthin and anabsinthin, coumarin compounds (esculin, umbelliferone, coumarin), as well as macro- and microelements.
Pharmacological Properties
An infusion of wormwood herb stimulates the secretion of gastric juice, increases appetite, improves digestion, and has choleretic properties.
Infusions, extracts, and tinctures of wormwood are used as bitters to stimulate appetite and enhance the functioning of the digestive organs. By irritating the endings of taste receptors in the oral cavity, the active substances in the plant reflexively increase the secretory function of the gastrointestinal tract. The main active compound is absinthin, which stimulates the function of digestive tract glands and increases the secretion of bile, pancreatic juice, and gastric juice. The activity of bitters becomes apparent about 30 minutes after intake.
When using wormwood preparations, pain and dyspeptic symptoms decrease or disappear completely, appetite improves, bowel function normalizes, gastric acid secretion increases, heartburn subsides, and gas formation is reduced.
The medicinal effects of wormwood in treating gastrointestinal diseases are enhanced when used together with other medicinal plants possessing choleretic properties.
The bitter lactones absinthin and anabsinthin are responsible for the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of wormwood herb. The plant's triterpenoid compounds also provide a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect and stimulate the reticuloendothelial system and phagocytic activity.
Wormwood preparations increase the body’s resistance to adverse factors and may be used after illnesses such as flu, as well as in post-infection and postoperative periods.
There is evidence of bactericidal and fungicidal properties of unsaturated hydrocarbons isolated from wormwood. Additionally, the plant exhibits antiseptic and phytoncidal activity.
Wormwood also reduces inflammation and promotes wound healing.
In large doses, wormwood preparations can cause excitation of the central nervous system followed by depression.
Use in Traditional Medicine
The beneficial properties of wormwood herb are widely used in traditional medicine.
Folk medicine employs the plant as a choleretic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, anthelmintic, anticonvulsant, analgesic, antimalarial agent, and mild sedative.
Decoctions and infusions of wormwood are used to treat chronic diseases of the pancreas and bile ducts, dyspepsia, liver and gallbladder disorders, as well as loss of appetite and sleep disturbances.
A tincture of wormwood made with 70% alcohol is also popular in folk medicine; it has a longer shelf life and is convenient to use. The tincture is taken 15–20 minutes before meals to stimulate appetite and enhance gastrointestinal function.
Externally, a water infusion of the plant is used as a mouth rinse to eliminate bad breath.
Wormwood is included in herbal mixtures used to treat prostate adenoma, male infertility, increased sexual desire, and frequent nocturnal emissions.
Additionally, the plant is combined with other aromatic herbs such as mint, thyme, and calamus for mouth rinses to combat unpleasant odors.
It is also applied as an anti-edema remedy for bruises, ulcers, and slow-healing wounds. In such cases, fresh juice or crushed herb is applied directly to the affected areas. Wormwood is considered especially effective for sprains and tendon strains.