Limited evidence has shown that for some people who suffer from Crohn's Disease, using herbal medicines such as grand wormwood may help control your symptoms. More research is needed in this area. Grand wormwood is a traditional remedy used for stimulating the production of gastric juices, promoting digestion and killing internal parasites and worms. Grand wormwood may cause adverse reactions and drug interactions in some people, so consult with your doctor before purchasing grand wormwood products.
History
Grand Wormwood is also known as Common Wormwood, Old Woman, Wormot, Crown for a King and Absinthe. According to 17th century herbalist Dr Culpeper, author of the book "Culpeper's Complete Herbal," infusions of wormwood were used to treat poor appetite, digestive problems, abdominal swelling, diseases of the throat and for internal cleansing. Wormwood was also used as a magical herb to protect against witchcraft, burned with sandalwood to summon spirits and infused with other plants to make love potions. A folk remedy using wormwood was used to counteract the poison from hemlock.
Chemistry
According to Henry Potter, herbalist and author of "Potter's Encyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs & Preparations," wormwood has a large chemical profile, providing a range of active compounds that are responsible for its medicinal benefits. Grand wormwood extract contains up to 35 percent essential oils, which give the plant its unique flavor, aroma and bitterness. Major essential oils found in wormwood include chamazulene, nuciferol butanoate, nuciferol propionate, caryophyllene oxide, artabsin, anabsinthin, artemetin, arabsin, artabsinolides and thujone. Wormwood also contains antioxidant flavonoids, such as quercetin, spinacetin, rhamnoglucoside and phenolic acids.
Clinical Research
In a clinical trial published in "Phytomedicine" in 2007, researchers from the Yale University School of Medicine studied the effects of wormwood in patients suffering from Crohn's disease. Wormwood had a significant effect on the symptoms of Crohn's disease, with up to 65 percent of patients taking the plant extract experiencing an almost complete remission of symptoms. In the control group of patients taking anti-inflammatory steroids and no wormwood, no one experienced remission of symptoms. In addition, wormwood had a unique beneficial effect on the mood and quality of life of patients taking it. Researchers concluded that wormwood was an effective complementary medicine for patients with Crohn's disease, and it may help to reduce the use of standard medications needed to control symptoms. Consult your health-care provider before using wormwood or altering any of your medications.
Safety and Toxicity
According to Drug Information Online, there are a number of safety concerns associated with using grand wormwood. Wormwood contains small amounts of thujone -- an essential oil which crosses the blood-brain barrier, and can cause excitement, vertigo, delirium, paralysis, thirst and digestive problems when taken in large doses. In animals thujone is fatal when ingested at doses as low as 50 milligrams per kilogram per day. Use wormwood only under the direct supervision of a registered medical herbalist and a doctor, and seek medical advice before combining wormwood with prescribed medications.
References
- "Culpeper's Complete Herbal"; Dr Culpeper; 1998 reprint
- "Potter's Encyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations"; Henry Potter; 1998 reprint
- "Phytomedicine"; Steroid-Sparing Effect of Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) in Crohn's Disease: a Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study; B. Omer, et al.; 2007
- "Drug Information Online": Wormwood
