You’ve probably heard of absinthe. That neon-green, hallucination-inducing "Green Fairy" that supposedly drove 19th-century French poets into a creative frenzy or a straight-up breakdown. At the heart of that legend is a silvery-green plant called Artemisia absinthium. But if you’re wondering what is wormwood used for in the real world—away from the myth of Van Gogh’s ear—the answer is a lot more practical, and honestly, a bit more medicinal than the bars in Montmartre would lead you to believe.
It’s bitter. Really bitter.
In fact, the name itself basically screams its primary historical function. "Wormwood" comes from its ancient reputation for purging intestinal parasites. It’s a rugged perennial that smells like a mix of sage and something sharp and medicinal. People have been reaching for it for thousands of years, from the Ebers Papyrus in ancient Egypt to the modern-day labs investigating its role in treating complex autoimmune issues.
✨ Don't miss: How Much Protein Required For a Day: Why Your Current Number Is Probably Wrong
The GI Tract: Where Wormwood Does the Heavy Lifting
If you ask a traditional herbalist what is wormwood used for, they’ll almost always start with the gut. This isn't just folk wisdom; there’s a biological mechanism at play here. The plant contains compounds like absinthin and anabsinthin. These are among the bitterest substances known to man. When they hit your tongue, they trigger a "bitter reflex."
This reflex sends a signal to your brain to kick-start your entire digestive engine. Your gallbladder releases bile. Your stomach cranks up acid production. It’s why wormwood has been a staple in "digestive bitters" for centuries. It’s for that heavy, brick-in-the-stomach feeling after a meal that just won't move.
But let's talk about the worms.
It’s not just a clever name. Studies, including research published in Trends in Parasitology, have looked at how Artemisia species affect helminths (parasitic worms). Specifically, thujone—a compound found in the plant's essential oil—is thought to be the "active" part that makes life miserable for parasites. However, it's a double-edged sword. While it might clear out unwanted guests, thujone is also neurotoxic in high doses. This is why you don't just go chewing on wild wormwood stalks like they’re celery. Dosage matters more than almost anything else with this herb.
SIBO, Crohn’s, and the Inflammation Connection
While the parasite talk is a bit "old world," modern functional medicine is looking at what is wormwood used for in the context of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO).
A 2014 study led by researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that herbal therapies—including those containing Artemisia—were just as effective as the heavy-duty antibiotic Rifaximin for resolving SIBO. That’s huge. It suggests that this plant isn't just for "cleansing" in a vague, detox-tea sort of way; it has actual antimicrobial power.
Then there’s Crohn’s disease. This is where the science gets really interesting.
A small but significant study published in Phytomedicine followed patients with Crohn’s who were struggling to taper off steroids. One group took a wormwood blend, and the other took a placebo. By the end of ten weeks, 90% of the wormwood group showed significant improvement, and many went into total remission. This isn't to say it’s a "cure," but it hints at the plant’s ability to modulate the immune system and dampen the cytokine storms that drive inflammatory bowel diseases.
Why the "Green Fairy" Hallucinations Were Mostly a Lie
We have to address the elephant in the room: Absinthe. For a century, people thought wormwood caused madness. They thought it was a hallucinogen similar to THC.
It isn't.
Modern chemical analysis of vintage bottles of absinthe shows that while they contained thujone, they didn't contain that much of it. The "madness" was likely just high-proof alcoholism or toxic additives like copper sulfate used to give cheap versions that vibrant green color. When we look at what is wormwood used for in spirits today, it’s mostly for flavor and digestion, not for seeing things that aren't there.
Beyond the Gut: Topical Uses and Pain
Interestingly, the use cases for Artemisia absinthium aren't strictly internal. In various traditional medicine systems, it’s been used as a topical liniment. Because it has mild analgesic (pain-killing) properties, people have used it for:
- Osteoarthritis joint pain
- Sore muscles after intense labor
- Bruises that won't fade
A 2010 study published in the Journal of Helminthology (of all places) noted that wormwood extracts could inhibit certain inflammatory markers. This supports the old-school practice of using wormwood-soaked cloths for "aching bones." It’s basically the 18th-century version of an IcyHot patch, just much, much smellier.
The Thujone Risk: Don't Ignore the Labels
You can't talk about what is wormwood used for without a serious safety warning. Thujone is a GABA antagonist. In plain English? It can over-excite your brain cells. In very high doses, this leads to seizures.
This is why "Wormwood Tea" isn't something you drink by the gallon. Most herbalists recommend short-term use—usually no more than two to four weeks at a time. Pregnant women should stay far away from it, as it’s an emmenagogue (it can stimulate the uterus and cause a miscarriage).
It’s also worth noting that wormwood is part of the Asteraceae family. If you’re allergic to ragweed, daisies, or marigolds, you’re probably going to have a bad time with wormwood. Skin rashes or even respiratory distress aren't uncommon for people with these sensitivities.
Buying and Using Wormwood Today
If you’re looking to experiment with the herb, you’ll find it in a few different formats. Tinctures are the most common because the alcohol helps extract the bitter resins. Tea is another option, though you’ll need a lot of honey to mask the flavor—it is genuinely one of the most unpleasant tastes you’ll ever encounter.
- Tinctures: Usually taken in drop dosages (10-30 drops) before meals to stimulate digestion.
- Capsules: Often found in "parasite cleanse" kits combined with black walnut hull and clove.
- Topical Salves: Used for joint stiffness, though less common in commercial health food stores.
Practical Advice for Incorporating Wormwood
If you’re dealing with chronic bloating or suspected SIBO, don't just start dumping wormwood tincture into your water. The "kill phase" of any herbal protocol can be rough. When bacteria or parasites die, they release endotoxins. This is known as a Herxheimer reaction. You might feel like you have the flu for a few days.
Start slow.
One drop. Then two.
💡 You might also like: Is 135 77 a Good Blood Pressure? What Most People Get Wrong About These Numbers
And always, always cycle it. The standard "two weeks on, two weeks off" rule exists for a reason. It prevents thujone buildup in your system and gives your liver a break.
The Future of Artemisia
While Artemisia absinthium is the "common wormwood," its cousin Artemisia annua (Sweet Wormwood) is arguably more famous in the medical world today. It contains artemisinin, which is the gold standard treatment for malaria. While common wormwood is more for digestion and inflammation, the success of its cousin shows that this genus of plants is a powerhouse of pharmaceutical potential.
We are likely only scratching the surface of what is wormwood used for in terms of cancer research. Preliminary in vitro studies (meaning in a petri dish, not a human) have shown that wormwood extracts can be toxic to certain breast cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone. It’s far from a clinical treatment, but it’s a line of inquiry that scientists are taking very seriously.
Actionable Steps for Exploring Wormwood
- Check your allergies. If ragweed makes you sneeze, skip the wormwood.
- Verify the species. Ensure you are getting Artemisia absinthium for digestive issues or Artemisia annua if you are specifically looking for artemisinin.
- Consult a practitioner. Because of the thujone content, get a professional to help you dose it, especially if you have a history of seizures or kidney issues.
- Use for digestion. If you have a sluggish gallbladder or chronic low stomach acid, try a digestive bitter containing wormwood 15 minutes before your largest meal.
- Limit the duration. Never take wormwood supplements for more than 4 consecutive weeks without a significant break.
Wormwood is a potent tool, but it's not a "daily vitamin." It's a targeted intervention for specific gut and inflammatory issues. Respect the bitterness, watch the dosage, and it can be a remarkably effective ally for your digestive health.