Wormwood And Cloves In The Diet

Wormwood, a perennial herb with silvery-green leaves, is commonly used as an ornamental plant in gardens. Its leaves and flowers are used in herbal medicine to treat a variety of conditions, in particular, those related to digestive ailments. Clove, the dried flower bud of an evergreen tree native to Indonesia, is a common culinary herb and provides a variety of potential health benefits when used in the diet. To prevent adverse effects, consult a qualified health-care practitioner for advice on proper use and dosage of these herbs.

Anti-Fungal

Tarragon, a member of the genus artemisia, the wormwood family, contains high levels of compounds with anti-fungal activity. Tarragon also shows antibacterial activity against a close relative of the organism that causes anthrax, according to naturopath Michael T. Murray, author of the book "The Condensed Encyclopedia of Healing Foods." Tarragon also demonstrates considerable anti-oxidant activity and may be equivalent to commercial food preservatives in fending off food spoilage. Traditional herbalists have used tarragon as a treatment for diabetes, and the herb has shown appetite-suppressing and weight-stabilizing qualities that can help reverse the harmful effects of the disease. However, tarragon exerts these benefits without effecting blood sugar or insulin levels.

Anti-Parasitic

The herb Artemisia annua, commonly referred to as wormwood, though not a dietary component, is used in traditional herbal medicine as a supplement for the treatment of intestinal parasites, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Other herbs that assist with intestinal parasites include garlic, barberry, goldenseal, oregon grape, anise and black walnut. A study published in the July 2011 issue of the "Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine" reported that various species of artemisia are commonly used to treat parasitic infections in poultry, thus keeping the food supply safe.

Toxicity

A component of wormwood called artesunate may be toxic and carcinogenic, say researchers of a study published in the July 2011 issue of the journal "Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis." Artesunate is used widely as a treatment for malaria. The tissue culture study of human white blood cells demonstrated that this compound caused genetic damage and direct cell destruction. Effects were greater at higher concentrations. Consult your doctor about safe dosage of wormwood for treating a medical condition.

Detoxifying

Eugenol, a compound in cloves, protects against harmful effects of environmental toxins and pollutants, according to "The Condensed Encyclopedia of Healing Foods." Eugenol also offers preventive benefits against cancers of the digestive tract and acts as an anti-inflammatory to reduce arthritis symptoms. Purchase whole cloves and grind them fresh to derive the most benefits from their volatile oils. Test your cloves for freshness by placing them in a glass of water. Fresh cloves will float vertically while stale cloves with low levels of active ingredients will float horizontally or sink.

Oral Health

Cloves benefit your oral health by virtue of their antibacterial and antifungal properties, according to a study published in the March 2011 issue of "Archives of Oral Biology." In the study, clove oil showed high antibacterial effects similar to pharmaceutical antibiotics gentamicin and ampicillin. Researchers concluded that clove oil may be useful against dental cavities and bacteria that cause periodontal disease.