Artemisia Herb

The Artemisia herb, Artemisia absinthum, is most commonly known as Wormwood, green ginger, and in some places as southernwood and old woman. Bitter and aromatic, it is an antiseptic, carminative, anthelmintic and anti-microbial, and is stimulating and invigorating.

It is the flowering tops and the leaves, with their high levels of the volatile oil, thujone, that are used in herbal remedies to treat all manner of digestive issues, including:

• Ulcers
• Indigestion
• Stomach ache
• Gastritis
• Bloating
• Loss of appetite
• Liver disorders
• Convulsive gallbladder disorders

Artemisia is also useful in dealing with parasitic infestations of roundworms and pinworms, and is an effective treatment of infections caused by these parasites, as well as conditions like constipation, hepatitis, diarrhea and jaundice.

Treatments

It is also effective against bladder infections and helps the liver and bile process waste. Treatments for the stomach, gall bladder and spleen work more effectively when they contain elements of the Artemisia plant.

For external treatment of wounds and insect bits, the herb is most commonly administered in decoctions and infusions.

For internal use, extracts and herbal tinctures, as well as capsules with powdered or solid herb can be taken. In fact, due to the bitter taste, it is often easiest to ingest the herb in capsule form.

Warning

Wormwood contains absinthe which can be very dangerous. An Artemisia treatment should never be made with hot or boiling water as that releases the absinthe. Only use cool or room temperature liquids to make any decoction.

Use caution when taking any herbal remedies, and seek the advice of a trained herbologist when considering the use of Artemisia.

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