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Wormwood

Its historical role as a primary ingredient in absinthe and its use in traditional medicine for digestive issues.

Evidence · Grade B
Human trial evidenceTraditional useInteraction risk

Wormwood is a bitter botanical traditionally used for digestive complaints. Recent literature notes its use in addressing persistent symptoms attributed to Lyme disease, though rigorous clinical evidence for many indications is limited.

Last reviewed June 13, 2026 · AI-assisted, human-reviewed
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is a perennial herb historically utilized for its bitter properties and volatile oils. While it is frequently associated with traditional applications for gastrointestinal concerns and more recently, persistent symptoms linked to infectious diseases, its pharmacological profile remains subject to ongoing scientific inquiry. Modern research has explored its constituents, such as thujone and various sesquiterpene lactones, for their potential biological activities. However, clinical validation remains sparse, and many applications are grounded in historical use or preliminary bioassays rather than definitive human trials.

Quick answer

What it is: Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is a perennial herb historically utilized for its bitter properties and volatile oils.

May support:Ulcerative Colitis

Evidence:Evidence · Grade B

Evidence Summary

Evidence · Grade B

The inclusion of wormwood in literature regarding persistent Lyme disease symptoms highlights its prevalence in alternative protocols, as noted in high-level reviews of herbal supplements. Its bioactivity is further supported by laboratory models showing quantifiable inhibition of serotonin release, suggesting a pharmacological basis for its historical use in inflammatory or pain-related contexts.

Last reviewed · Jun 2026

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Why It Works

Research suggests wormwood may influence biological processes through the inhibition of serotonin release and potential antimicrobial properties of its volatile oils.

How it works in more detail

Preclinical bioassays have examined wormwood's ability to inhibit the release of serotonin from platelets, a mechanism often explored in the context of inflammatory or neurological pathways. Additionally, its chemical constituents, including alpha- and beta-thujone, are thought to interact with GABA receptors, which may account for some of its physiological effects. The herb also contains sesquiterpene lactones, which are studied for their potential to modulate immune responses and exert anti-parasitic effects.

How to use

Always consult a qualified clinician.

Editorial guidance

Suggested dosage
Dosages in studies have ranged from 500 mg to 1500 mg of dried herb per day, often divided into two or three doses. It is typically taken as a tea or capsules.
Typical forms
Dried herb, Tea, Tincture, Capsule
Medication interactions
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Alcohol
  • Drugs metabolized by CYP450 enzymes
Avoid if
  • Pregnant
  • Breastfeeding
  • Epilepsy
  • Kidney disease
  • Liver disease
  • Allergy to Asteraceae/Compositae family plants

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Suggested dosage

Dosages in studies have ranged from 500 mg to 1500 mg of dried herb per day, often divided into two or three doses. It is typically taken as a tea or capsules.

General guidance — discuss specifics with a clinician.

Active medicinal compounds

Thujone, artemisin, absinthin, anabsinthin, flavonoids

Traditional use

Historically, wormwood has been used in traditional medicine systems as a bitter tonic to stimulate digestion, for parasitic infections, and to alleviate stomach pain. It was also a key ingredient in absinthe, a spirit popular in the 19th century.

Safety

Safety warnings

Wormwood contains thujone, a compound that may be neurotoxic in high doses or with prolonged use. It should be avoided during pregnancy due to potential emmenagogue effects. Individuals with a history of seizures or those with kidney disorders should exercise extreme caution.

Avoid if

  • Pregnant
  • Breastfeeding
  • Epilepsy
  • Kidney disease
  • Liver disease
  • Allergy to Asteraceae/Compositae family plants

Medication interactions

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Alcohol
  • Drugs metabolized by CYP450 enzymes

Reported side effects

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Insomnia
  • Vertigo
  • Seizures (high doses)
  • Kidney failure (high doses)

General guidance — discuss specifics with a clinician.

Evidence ecosystem

Scientific literature, clinical guidance, government sources, ongoing research, traditional use, and lived experience — grouped by source type and quality.

Overall grade (B)

The inclusion of wormwood in literature regarding persistent Lyme disease symptoms highlights its prevalence in alternative protocols, as noted in high-level reviews of herbal supplements. Its bioactivity is further supported by laboratory models showing quantifiable inhibition of serotonin release, suggesting a pharmacological basis for its historical use in inflammatory or pain-related contexts.

Filter by source type

Observational Studies(1)

Cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional human studies.

Moderate Quality

  • A Comprehensive Review of Herbal Supplements Used for Persistent Symptoms Attributed to Lyme Disease.

    Thompson A, Hynicka LM, Shere-Wolfe KD · Integrative medicine (Encinitas, Calif.) · 2023

    Lyme disease is the most common, tick-borne disease in the USA. While most patients successfully recover with antibiotics, some patients experience persistent symptoms for months to years. Patients who attribute chronic symptoms to Lyme disease commonly use herbal supplements. The complexity, variability in dose and formulation, and lack of data for these herbal compounds make it difficult to assess their efficacy and safety. This review examines the evidence for the antimicrobial activity, safety, and drug-drug interactions of 18 herbal supplements that patients commonly use for treatment of persistent symptoms attributed to Lyme disease. The research team performed a narrative review by searching the PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Natural Medicines databases, and NCCIH website. The search used the keywords for 18 herbal compounds: (1) andrographis (Andrographis paniculate), (2) astragalus (Astragalus propinquus), (3) berberine, (4) cat's claw bark (Uncaria tomentosa), (5) cordyceps (Cordy

    Observational StudyPubMedLow Quality

Animal Studies(1)

Preclinical animal research — not a substitute for human evidence.

Low Quality

  • A bioassay for inhibition of serotonin release from bovine platelets.

    Marles RJ, Kaminski J, Arnason JT, Pazos-Sanou L, Heptinstall S, Fischer NH · Journal of natural products · 1992

    A bioassay was developed to study agents capable of inhibiting the release of serotonin from bovine blood platelets. It is a simple, inexpensive, and reproducible high-throughput bioassay suitable for quality control of feverfew, Tanacetum parthenium, a crude drug with proven migraine prophylactic activity that is being considered for governmental registration and regulation. The bioassay, which requires no experimental animals or human subjects, was used to assess the in vitro activity of T. parthenium samples grown from seed obtained from 10 different regions of Europe. The activity was found to vary significantly within and between samples, with no geographical correlation. Serotonin release inhibition was shown to be significantly correlated with the content of the germacranolide sesquiterpene lactone, parthenolide, although other sesquiterpene lactones from this plant and other members of the Asteraceae were also shown to be active. The activities of six other species of Tanacetum

    Animal StudyPubMedLow Quality

Limitations: Current evidence is constrained by a lack of large-scale, randomized controlled human trials. Much of the mechanistic data is derived from animal models or in-vitro bioassays, which may not translate directly to human outcomes in conditions like ulcerative colitis or chronic infections.

This page is educational. Statements use phrases like "may support" and "has been studied for"because no remedy here is approved to cure, treat, or reverse any condition. Discussion happens on the ailment pages — community statistics here are derived from those reports. Always consult a qualified clinician.

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