Wormwood (Artemisia): What it helps — and what can go wrong

Wormwood is a group of Artemisia plants people have used for centuries. You’ve probably heard of it in absinthe or as a traditional herbal remedy for digestive troubles and intestinal parasites. Some species, like Artemisia annua (sweet wormwood), even gave us artemisinin — a major anti-malarial drug. That makes wormwood interesting, but it also means you need to be cautious.

Practical uses and what the evidence says

People use wormwood in a few common ways: as tea, tincture, capsule supplements, or topicals. Historically it’s been used as a bitter to improve digestion and to expel intestinal worms. Modern research shows artemisinin from Artemisia annua is effective against malaria parasites — that’s a clear, science-backed success. For other uses (general digestion, mild bloating, or as a folk antiparasitic), evidence is weaker or mixed. Think of wormwood as a traditional tool with some strong modern applications and many traditional claims that still need better studies.

Safety, interactions, and smart use

Wormwood isn’t automatically safe just because it’s "natural." Artemisia absinthium contains thujone, a compound that can cause nervous system effects at high doses. That’s why concentrated essential oils or high-dose extracts can be risky. Avoid wormwood if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. If you have liver disease, epilepsy, or take medications that affect the liver or blood clotting, check with your doctor first — wormwood can interact with several drugs.

Want to try it? Start low and short-term. Use products from reputable brands that list the species and include batch testing or third-party verification. Avoid ingesting essential oils. If you take prescription meds, ask a pharmacist about possible interactions, especially with anticoagulants, anticonvulsants, or drugs metabolized by the liver. Stop use and seek medical help if you notice headaches, tremors, confusion, or dark urine.

Practical buying tips: choose supplements that state the Artemisia species (annua vs absinthium), prefer standardized extracts when available, and read reviews or lab reports. If you’re using it for suspected parasites, get a proper diagnosis first — many digestive issues aren’t caused by worms and need different treatment.

Wormwood can be helpful in specific cases, and it gave modern medicine a major drug. But it’s not a cure-all, and it carries real risks in some forms and doses. Use caution, verify the product, and talk to a healthcare pro when in doubt. If you want related reading, check our herbal supplement guides like Black Walnut or other natural antiparasitics for comparison and safety tips.