What is the name of wormwood? Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.)

It was also used by our ancestors. Strong amulets were made from it against enemies and misfortunes, and with the help of a drug based on wormwood they caused damage. However, despite this, the plant was also used for economic purposes. From this article you will learn a complete description, as well as everything about low-growing and tall plant species.

Wormwood: general description of the genus

Wormwood is a member of the Astrov family. The name of the plant is associated with the name of the goddess Artemis, although many call it “evshan”. But if you have never encountered it and don’t even know where wormwood grows, then we will tell you about it now. The plant can be found in the wild in the temperate zone of Eurasia, North America and North and South Africa. For example, coastal wormwood is found in dry and barren steppes, and drooping wormwood is found in the wormwood steppe in Central Asia.

The plant is often considered either biennial or annual. It is classified as both subshrubs and.

However, for each variety there is one characteristic difference - the arrangement of the leaves. Wormwood inflorescences form into baskets. The flowers are pink, yellow and white.

Depending on the species, the openwork leaves of wormwood differ in silver-white, silver-blue, steel and grayish-green color.

Another difference in the types of decorative wormwood is the height of the plant. Low-growing plants grow up to 20 cm in height, and tall plants - up to 1 m.

And can withstand long periods without water.

Now that you know what wormwood looks like, let's move on to the description of each type of plant.

Tall species of wormwood

If you want it beautifully, then you will need tall wormwood, the types of which we will describe in the following sections.

It is difficult to count how many species of wormwood there are in the world. However, we will talk in detail about the most popular of them, such as, for example, Gmelin’s wormwood (another name for this species is “Sacrificial”). This plant belongs to. Reaches up to 1 m in height. Upright stems become woody closer to the root.

It grows in the Far East in forest meadows, forest edges, clearings, river and pebble banks.
The tops of the shoots are collected for medicinal purposes. Collection is carried out during flowering.

The composition of medicinal wormwood includes (a-pinene, p-pinene, p-cymene, limonene, borneol, camphor and camphene), tannins, vitamin C, organic acids, as well as alkaloids, coumarins, rubber and bioflavonoids.
Gmelin's wormwood has antipyretic, analgesic, expectorant, anti-edema, and anti-inflammatory properties. Used to prepare the medicine "Chamazulene".

A plant such as wormwood is considered perennial and herbaceous.

This species has a strong aroma and wormwood bitterness. This is the most bitter plant that is used in the preparation of medicine.

Did you know? Wormwood is the main ingredient of the fairly popular drink absinthe.

Europe is considered the homeland of this type of wormwood, although it has been growing in North Africa and Western Asia for quite a long time. Used in Southern Europe and the USA, where wormwood-based oil is produced.
You can find the plant along roads, in weedy gardens, meadows, near houses and forest edges.

Wormwood grows up to 2 m in height. The shoots are erect, with silver-tomentose pubescence. The flowers are yellow, spherical baskets growing up to 3.5 mm in diameter.

The leaves of wormwood (before flowering) contain sesquiterpene lactones, bitter glycosides, salonins, phytoncides, ascorbic acid, essential oil, carotene and organic acids.

The essential oil contains thuyl alcohol, thujone, cadinene, curcumene, chamazulenogen and linene. The aerial part of wormwood contains absinthine, oabsin, ketolactones A and B, artemisetin and oxylactone.
In medicine, wormwood leaves collected at the beginning of flowering are used. They are used in the preparation of essential oil and some medicines. The plant has a very bitter taste and irritates the taste nerves in the mouth. This enhances the function of the gastrointestinal tract.

Wormwood is also used in cooking as a spice for fried meat dishes.

Important! Wormwood should not be consumed during pregnancy.

The plant is often used in the fight against caterpillars. The above-ground part is used to dye fabric in any shade of green.

Louisiana wormwood grows up to 90 cm in height. It has whitish leaves and yellow flowers.

This is a perennial plant that blooms in August. Most often, there are varieties of it that are planted as decoration.

This species is native to North America.
Plants are often used as a protector against, which often lives in our things. Only the above-ground part of wormwood is used in medicine. Decoctions, tinctures and extracts are made from it. Wormwood powder and juice are used internally.

Important! P wormwood should not be consumed for a long time, as it causes hallucinogenic states, convulsions and seizures.


The varieties of wormwood include milkweed, which has the following description:

  1. Grows up to two meters in height.
  2. It is a perennial plant.
  3. It has openwork and large leaves, the color is dark green.
  4. The flowers are small, cream-colored, with a fragrant aroma.
Such large wormwood is used as a plant, especially in mixed plantings, for decoration and.
The wormwood milky flower looks beautiful between the bushes.

Artemisia annua is truly an annual herbaceous plant. It can be found in East and Central Asia, as well as in Southern and South-Eastern Europe. It grows in soot, near railways and in sandy areas. Considered a weed.

Artemisia annua contains essential oils with a pleasant odor, ascorbic acid, tannins and alkaloids. In 1972, Artemisia annua was used to create a cure for malaria. Nowadays, the above-ground part of the plant is used as an aromatic seasoning. Essential oil is used to create perfumes and soaps.
The aerial part is used for malaria and dysentery. You can also make a red leather dye and use the roots to make a lemon yellow dye for leather, wool and silk. This type of wormwood is used in a summer cottage more as a decoration.

Artemisia rutolifolia grows up to 80 cm in height. This is a steppe wormwood that can be found in Western Siberia, Central Asia and Eastern Siberia.
Stems, leaves and inflorescences of wormwood are used in medicine. The plant contains essential oils, aromatic compounds, scopoletin, organic acids, flavonoids and p-hydroxyacetophenone.

Essential oil has an antibacterial effect and is used not only in treatment, but also in perfumery. Infusions of wormwood are used for dysuria, and fresh ground herb is used for toothache.
The decoction helps with sore throats, and the infusions help with heart and stomach diseases.

Low-growing species of wormwood

Low-growing species of wormwood are used as ornamentals, and in this section you will learn about their main characteristics with common names.

Now that you know what tall wormwood looks like, let's move on to describing the low-growing species of this grass.
Schmidt's wormwood is a perennial plant with a bitter-spicy aroma. The grass grows up to 20 cm in height. Its leaves are silvery and deeply dissected. The flowers of the plant are small. Most often, it is used to decorate borders and rocky hills, but it also looks original in flower beds.

Can be an excellent background for bright, low roses.

Did you know? In ancient times in England, wormwood was scattered in courtrooms. This was believed to prevent the spread of "jail fever."


Steller's wormwood attracts attention with its lacy leaves. They are silver and pleasant to the touch. This type of wormwood is used as a garden decoration. It decorates the slopes of terraces, retaining walls, and rocky hills. It also goes well with brightly colored plants.
True to its name and species group, Steller's wormwood can be found on rocky slopes, where the plant grows up to 30 cm in length. Grows in the Far East, Japan and Norway.

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Rice. 5.59. Wormwood – Artemisia absinthium L.

Wormwood herb- herba artemisiae absinthii
Wormwood leaves-folia artemisiae absinthii
- artemisia absinthium l.
Sem. Compositae- asteraceae (compositae)
Other names: vermouth, bitterness

perennial herbaceous plant with a multi-headed short rhizome and a tap root (Fig. 5.59).
Stems numerous, weakly ribbed, branched in the upper part, 50-100 (120) cm high. Rosette and lower stem leaves are long-petiolate, twice or thrice pinnately dissected, stem leaves are alternate, petiolate, apical - sessile, entire or tripartite. The whole plant is silvery-gray due to dense pubescence, with a strong, peculiar “wormwood” smell.
Flowers all tubular, yellow, in spherical drooping baskets with a diameter of 2.5-4 mm.
Baskets collected on short branches in one-sided racemes, forming a paniculate general inflorescence.
Fetus- achene.
Blooms in June - August, fruits ripen in September - October.

Spreading

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Spreading. It grows throughout the European part of the country, in the south of Western Siberia and the Krasnoyarsk Territory, in steppe, forest-steppe regions and the southern part of the forest zone, where it forms large thickets in places.

Habitat. As a weed in disturbed habitats - young fallow lands, pastures with loose soils, in populated areas, near roads, in vegetable gardens, field boundaries, orchards.

Medicinal raw materials

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External signs

Whole raw materials

Grass.
Whole or partially crushed leafy tips of flowering shoots no more than 25 cm long, not containing the rough lower parts of the stem. The stems are slightly ribbed, ending in a leafy spreading panicle, the branches of which bear small spherical baskets with a diameter of 2.5-4 mm. The baskets are drooping, emerging one or two from the axils of the lanceolate covering leaves. The outside of the basket is covered with a wrapper of imbricated linear, woolly outside leaves; the inside leaves are elliptical, obtuse, membranous. The general bed of the basket is convex, covered with white ribbon-like, scaly films.
Flowers small, all tubular, external - pistillate, internal - bisexual. The upper bracts are sessile, oblong, entire, the lower ones on the peduncle are tripartite, less often twice or thrice pinnate. Non-flowering leafy shoots may occur. Stems color greenish-gray, leaves - grayish-green above, silver-gray below, flowers - yellow. Smell Taste spicy-bitter.

Leaves.
Petiolate, triangular-rounded in outline, twice and thrice pinnately dissected; without petioles, trifoliate and pinnately divided. Leaf segments are linear-oblong, obtuse-pointed, entire-edged. Leaves pubescent on both sides. The length of the plate is up to 10 cm. Color leaves are grayish-green above, silver-gray below. Smell aromatic, distinctive, strong. Taste spicy-bitter.

Crushed raw materials

Grass.
Flower baskets, pieces of stems and leaves of various shapes, passing through a sieve with holes with a diameter of 7 mm. Color greyish green. Smell aromatic, distinctive, strong. Taste spicy-bitter.

Leaves.
Pieces of leaves of various shapes, passing through a sieve with holes with a diameter of 7 mm. Color greyish green or silver grey. Smell aromatic, distinctive, strong. Taste spicy-bitter.

Precautions

When collecting raw materials, instead of wormwood, collectors sometimes mistakenly collect grass from other types of wormwood. Most often this is the grass of Artemisia Sievers, Artemisia vulgaris and Artemisia Austrian.

Austrian wormwood(Artemisia austriaca Jacq.) - a plant 20-60 cm tall with almost white, small (up to 3 cm in length) twice and thrice divided or dissected leaves, the segments of which are not wider than 1 mm. Flower baskets are not drooping, about 3 mm in diameter, with yellow or reddish-yellow flowers. Distributed in steppe and forest-steppe regions of the European part of the country, the Caucasus, Siberia, and Kazakhstan. Grows on steppe pastures and roadsides.

Common wormwood(Artemisia vulgaris L.), or Chernobyl plant, is a plant 100-150 cm tall. Stems are ribbed, usually reddish. The lower and middle stem leaves are pinnately divided with broadly lanceolate or linear-lanceolate coarsely toothed segments, with the edges slightly curled onto the underside; leaves in inflorescence are three- or five-dissected, less often whole. The main diagnostic feature that distinguishes common wormwood from wormwood is the nature of the pubescence of the leaves. The upper side of the leaf is dark green, bare, the lower side is whitish-felt (not silver!). The flowers are reddish, collected in obovate, oblong or elliptical baskets with a diameter of 2-3 mm (Fig. 5.60). It grows everywhere as a weed and ruderal plant. The herb wormwood is included in the collection for preparing the mixture according to M.N. Zdrenko No. 2.

Wormwood Sievers(Artemisia sieversiana Willd.) – plant 30-120 cm tall. The stems are heavily ribbed. The leaves are broadly triangular in outline, silvery-gray, pitted-glandular, the lower and middle stems are long-petiolate, up to 12 cm long, twice and thrice pinnately dissected into oblong or linear-oblong segments, with 1-2 pairs of segments at the base of the petiole (the so-called “ ears"). The baskets are hemispherical, drooping, up to 6 mm in diameter. An Asian species, found in the same habitats as wormwood.

Microscopy

Rice. 5.61. Microscopy of a wormwood leaf

When examining the leaf from the surface, epidermal cells with sinuous walls are visible. Stomata on both sides of the leaf are surrounded by 3-5 epidermal cells (anomocytic type). Characteristic are numerous T-shaped hairs, consisting of a short 2-4 cell stalk bearing a short thin-walled cell with pointed ends, attached to the stalk in the middle and lying horizontally. The places where the hairs are attached look like round ridges. On both sides of the leaf there are large oval essential oil glands with a transverse septum (top view). Along the edges of the leaf and in the cross-section of the glands, it is clear that they consist of 8 (less often 6) excretory cells arranged in 2 rows and 4 tiers on a short single-cell stalk (Fig. 5.61).

Rice. 5.61. Microscopy of a wormwood leaf:
A – leaf epidermis from the surface:
1 – epidermal cell;
2 – stomata;
3 – piece of iron;
4 – T-shaped hair;
B – fragment of a cross section of a sheet:
1 – epidermis of the upper side;
2 – T-shaped hair;
3 – palisade fabric.

Procurement and storage of raw materials

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Preparation. Two types of raw materials are harvested: grass and leaves. Leaves They collect fully developed ones, before flowering or at the very beginning of flowering, in May - June, from shortened shoots, as well as rosette and lower stem ones. Leaves are plucked by hand.

Grass harvested at the beginning of flowering in June - August, the tops of shoots 20-25 cm long without the rough bases of the stems are cut off with sickles or knives. Harvesting lasts 10-15 days. When dried, raw materials collected at a later date acquire a dark gray color, and the baskets turn brown and crumble. Foreign plants and coarse stems larger than 3 mm in diameter are then removed from the freshly harvested grass.

Both types of raw materials are collected separately.

Security measures. It is forbidden to pull out plants by their roots.

Drying. Dry the grass and leaves in attics, under sheds or outdoors in the shade, spreading the raw material in a thin layer (up to 3-5 cm) on paper or fabric and stirring occasionally. Thermal drying with heating up to 40 ºС is allowed. In good weather, the grass dries out in 5-7 days, the leaves in 3-5 days. The end of drying is determined by the fragility of the stems and leaf petioles.

Standardization. GF XI, issue. 2, Art. 44.

Storage. According to the rules for storing essential oil raw materials, packed in bales or bags. Shelf life up to 2 years.

Composition of wormwood

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Chemical composition of wormwood

The herb and leaves of wormwood contain

  • 0.5-2% essential oil, which contains
    • bicyclic monoterpenoids – thujol (10-25%), thujone (about 10%),
    • pinen and others;
  • as well as azulenogenic sesquiterpene lactones, which give the wormwood herb a peculiar bitter taste - artabsin, absinthine (artabsin dimer).

Green-blue oil color wormwood due to azulenes.

In addition, it contains

  • flavonoids,
  • organic acids,
  • tannins,
  • carotenoids and
  • other connections.

Numerical indicators

Whole raw materials

Grass. Extractive substances extracted with 70% alcohol are at least 20%; humidity no more than 13%; total ash no more than 13%; ash, insoluble in a 10% solution of hydrochloric acid, no more than 3%; darkened parts of grass no more than 3%; stems with a diameter over 3 mm no more than 3%; organic impurity no more than 2%; mineral impurity no more than 1.5%.

Leaves. Extractive substances extracted with 70% alcohol, no less than 25%; humidity no more than 13%; total ash no more than 13%; ash, insoluble in a 10% solution of hydrochloric acid, no more than 4%; darkened leaves no more than 3%; organic impurity no more than 1%; mineral impurity no more than 1%.

Crushed raw materials

Grass. Extractive substances extracted with 70% alcohol are at least 20%; humidity no more than 13%; total ash no more than 13%; ash, insoluble in a 10% solution of hydrochloric acid, no more than 3%; darkened pieces of grass no more than 3%; pieces of stems with a diameter of over 3 mm no more than 3%; particles that do not pass through a sieve with holes with a diameter of 7 mm, no more than 10%; particles passing through a sieve with holes with a diameter of 0.31 mm, no more than 10%; organic impurity no more than 2%; mineral impurity no more than 1.5%.

Leaves. Extractive substances extracted with 70% alcohol, no less than 25%; humidity no more than 13%; total ash no more than 13%; ash, insoluble in a 10% solution of hydrochloric acid, no more than 4%; darkened pieces of leaves no more than 3%; particles that do not pass through a sieve with holes with a diameter of 7 mm, no more than 10%; particles passing through a sieve with holes with a diameter of 0.5 mm, no more than 10%; organic impurity no more than 1%; mineral impurity no more than 1%.

Properties and uses of wormwood

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Pharmacotherapeutic group. Appetite stimulant (appetite stimulant).

Pharmacological properties of wormwood

By irritating the endings of the taste nerves in the mouth, bitter substances of wormwood reflexively enhance the secretory function of the gastrointestinal tract. The main significance here belongs to absintinin, which increases secretion

  • bile,
  • pancreatic and
  • gastric juices.

Wormwood essential oil

  • stimulates the central nervous system,
  • has a cardiotonic effect, similar to camphor.

Large doses of drugs wormwood causes convulsions in animals.

Azulene isolated from grass, has

  • antiallergic,
  • antispasmodic,
  • anti-inflammatory and
  • analgesic properties.

Sum of lactones and polysaccharides isolated from wormwood, provide

  • anti-inflammatory effect,
  • activate proliferative phenomena in the area of ​​damage to the mucous membranes,
  • stimulate factors of nonspecific immunity.

There is information about bactericidal and fungicidal properties unsaturated hydrocarbons isolated from the plant.

Use of wormwood

Wormwood preparations are used for diseases accompanied by secretory insufficiency of the gastrointestinal tract without acute inflammation.

Under the influence of bitterness,

  • along with a general tonic effect on the nervous system,
  • digestion improves,
  • salivation increases,
  • the secretion of digestive enzymes is activated,
  • the secretion of bile into the intestines increases.

Wormwood preparations are taken before meals.

Long-term use of wormwood preparations can cause mild poisoning; in severe cases, it can be accompanied by general toxic phenomena with hallucinations and convulsions (“wormwood” epilepsy). Wormwood preparations are contraindicated in case of increased secretion, stomach ulcers and pregnancy.

Wormwood is used in the alcoholic beverage industry and in the food industry as a spice.

Medicines

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  1. Wormwood herb, crushed raw materials. A remedy that improves appetite and digestion.
  2. Wormwood leaves, crushed raw materials. A remedy that improves appetite and digestion.
  3. As part of the collection for stimulating appetite and anti-alcohol collection “Stopal”.
  4. Bitters component (herb).
  5. Wormwood tincture (tincture (1:5) in 70% ethyl alcohol from the herb wormwood). A remedy that improves appetite and digestion.
  6. Thick wormwood extract (extracted from the herb wormwood). A drug that stimulates appetite and enhances the functioning of the digestive system.
  7. The tincture and extract are included in complex medicines (gastric drops, gastric tablets, Vitaon, Maraslavin).
  8. The hydroalcoholic extract is included in the composition of general strengthening balms and elixirs (“Bittner’s Original Large Balm”, “Maurer’s Original Balm”, “Altai” elixir, etc.).

The medicinal properties and contraindications of wormwood are known in many parts of the world. This is one of the oldest and most bitter medicinal plants in the world. The healing power of wormwood is hidden precisely in its bitterness. Decoctions and infusions from it are the first choice drugs for digestive disorders and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). However, with an overdose and uncontrolled use, side effects are often observed - from nausea to loss of consciousness. Wormwood is a toxic plant. It is recommended to use it only after consulting a doctor.

Features of a medicinal plant

People often confuse wormwood with common wormwood, but there is no danger in this. Both of these types are similar in their chemical composition and healing effects. But still, wormwood is used more often and is harvested for the pharmaceutical industry.

Wormwood citvar. Common wormwood, or Chernobyl herb. Lemon wormwood (high), or abrotan.

Types of wormwood

The genus Artemisia includes about 400 species. There are over 150 species in Russia. Many of them are medicinal plants. What types are best known and most often used in folk medicine?

  • Artemisia citvarens. It is also called the tsitvar, Turkestan seed. This is a low perennial shrub. Loves dry climates, common in Central Asia. Here the plant is collected from the wild and grown as a pharmaceutical raw material. Refers to medicinal, but highly poisonous plants. A valuable bactericidal essential oil is obtained from it. It is also an effective remedy for worms (the seeds of the plant are especially helpful). It is used externally as an anti-inflammatory agent for skin diseases, rheumatism, neuralgia, gout, and heals wounds and burns well.
  • Common wormwood, or Chernobyl herb. It can reach a height of 150 cm. It is classified as a weed. It can often be seen in vacant lots, near roadsides, and in gardens. Only the apical part of the shoots with flowers is collected. In scientific medicine, the herb is not as popular as wormwood. However, among the people this species is valued no less, and, in general, does not differ much. Chernobyl has a milder taste and effect; it is taken orally as a choleretic, astringent, to normalize appetite and digestion, for nervous disorders and epilepsy. It is also used as a seasoning, more often for fatty meat dishes from goose or duck. A spicy mixture is prepared from this type of herb, which includes basil, rosemary and thyme.
  • Lemon wormwood (high), or abrotan. People often call it medicinal wormwood, or God's tree, as well as dill tree. The plant has been known since ancient times. They drank the grass for fever and snake bites. Ancient medical treatises describe the healing properties of the tree of God. In addition, the herb was used in cooking as a spice, since it has the least bitterness. This type of plant contains a lot of essential oil, which is used in perfumery and cosmetology, the alcoholic beverage and confectionery industries.

In ancient times, the tree of God was considered a sacred plant. This type of wormwood was used in magic. According to legend, the herb drives out evil spirits. Often wormwood branches were cut and hung at the entrance to the house. Among the Slavic peoples, wormwood is a strong amulet that protects against the evil eye. Ancient magical rituals are a thing of the past, and today the tree of God is a beautiful ornamental bush that decorates household plots. You can experiment and shape the crown of the bush; it makes a good green hedge.

Habitat of wormwood

Bitter (white) wormwood is found everywhere - it likes to grow along roads, in landfills, wastelands, weedy meadows, and forest edges. It is also a frequent “guest” near homes, in the garden and vegetable garden, it forms thickets and is considered a tenacious and persistent weed. This species is distributed throughout Europe, growing in Western Asia and North Africa. In Russia, it can be found in Siberia and the northern regions. The grass is grown industrially in Russia, the USA, southern European countries, and North Africa. Essential oil is made from dry raw materials.

Botanical description

Wormwood. Botanical illustration from the book “Köhler’s Medizinal-Pflanzen”, 1887.

What does wormwood look like? It has two distinctive features - the silvery color of the leaves and a characteristic aroma. By these signs, wormwood is easy to distinguish in nature.

  • Root. Rod-shaped, branched.
  • Stems. Straight, branched at the top, erect shoots form at the base of the bush.
  • Leaves . Pinnately dissected, alternate, petiolate. Both leaves and stems have silvery-white pubescence.
  • Flowers . Tubular, yellow, collected in panicles, on which small baskets and leaves are located.

It can grow up to 2 m, looks like a subshrub. Tolerates drought and frost well.

Procurement of raw materials

  • What to collect? The tops of flowering plants are collected, stems up to 25 cm long are cut, usually the rough parts of the plant are separated and not used. Although the entire above-ground part of the plant is considered useful. Wormwood root (its soft shoots) is also used. It is dug up in the fall and dried in the same way as the above-ground part.
  • When to collect? Flowering panicles of wormwood are collected at the very beginning of flowering. Depending on the region - in June or July. The leaves are collected in May, while they are tender and not so bitter.
  • How to dry? Raw materials can be laid out in a thin layer under canopies or plant shoots tied in bunches can be hung. The room should be well ventilated.

Raw materials are packaged in linen bags or wooden containers. The apical part of the plant and roots can be stored for 3 years, leaves - 2 years.

Healing effect

What are the healing properties of wormwood? What pharmacological action does it have?

  • Secretory.
  • Carminative.
  • Anti-inflammatory.
  • Antitumor.
  • Antihelminthic.
  • Diuretic.
  • Appetizing.
  • Antiseptic.
  • Painkiller.
  • Calming.
  • Blood purifying.
  • Anticonvulsant.

What are the most valuable substances in the chemical composition?

  • Essential wormwood oil, which contains thujone, phellandrene, ketone, pinene and other substances.
  • Bitterness (absinthine, artabsin).
  • Tannins.

The grass also contains: resins, vitamins K, C, A, B6, starch, organic acids, flavonoids, phytoncides, proteins.

Indications

For what diseases will treatment with wormwood be effective?

The herb also helps against motion sickness and general exhaustion of the body; it is drunk for alcohol poisoning, eye inflammation, and hypertension. Relieves bad breath.

Contraindications for wormwood: hypersensitivity, gastritis with increased secretion (acidity), stomach ulcers, inflammation of the gallbladder, damage to the lower esophagus and all acute forms of gastrointestinal diseases, internal bleeding, anemia. It is strictly forbidden to take the herb in any form during pregnancy and lactation. Before use in children, consult a doctor.

Features of the use of wormwood

What are the uses of wormwood at home? What herbal preparations can be purchased at the pharmacy?

Tincture

Alcohol tincture of the herb is used for all of the above indications. This medicine is especially useful for digestive and nervous system disorders. Externally used for rubbing for pain in muscles and joints, bruises and sprains.

Preparing the tincture

  1. Take 1 part of dry herb.
  2. Pour in 10 parts alcohol (70%).
  3. Leave for 14 days.
  4. Strain.

Take in a strict dosage - 20 drops 3 times a day. The dose may be doubled depending on the condition and side effects. Read more about this in our other article.

The world-famous vodka made from wormwood - absinthe - is not a medicinal product! This is a strong alcoholic drink. In addition to wormwood, it includes: mint, lemon balm, anise, fennel, angelica, parsley, hyssop, calamus and other herbs. Absinthe is dangerous due to its high thujone content. The drink harms the body, leads to rapid intoxication, and is similar in effect to a narcotic substance. It was banned in some countries. After taking it in large doses, hallucinations, dangerous altered states of consciousness, and uncontrolled aggression are possible.

Decoction

Decoctions are used internally and externally to treat the skin in the form of lotions and baths. They are added to medicinal baths for neuralgia, rheumatism, and gout.

Preparation

  1. Take 1 tsp. dry grass.
  2. Pour a glass of boiling water.
  3. Boil for 1 minute.
  4. Leave for 30 minutes.
  5. Strain.

Decoctions are taken in a strict dosage of ¼ cup half an hour before meals.

There are many positive reviews about rice water with wormwood, which helps with digestive disorders.

Preparation

  1. Take 1 cup of prepared rice water.
  2. Add 1 tbsp. a spoonful of dry herbs.
  3. Boil for 1 minute.
  4. Leave for 1 hour.

Take it in the same way as regular wormwood decoction.

Application of seeds and root

Wormwood seeds have the same healing properties as the above-ground part of the plant. The essential oil contained in the seeds is of particular value.

Preparation of oil extract from seeds

  1. Take 1 part crushed grass seeds.
  2. Pour in 4 parts olive oil.
  3. Leave for 10 hours.

Oil take 2 drops 3 times a day. Due to its strong bitterness, it can be diluted in honey or washed down with water.

Wormwood root is effective against helminthiasis, as well as against malignant tumors. It is used to prepare decoctions for medicinal baths for diseases of muscles and joints. For female diseases, it is taken orally and used externally for douching.

Preparation of a decoction from the root

  1. Take 2 tbsp. l. chopped root.
  2. Pour a glass of boiling water.
  3. Boil in a sealed container for 5 minutes.
  4. Leave for 1 hour.

Take strained, 2 tbsp. l. 3 times a day before meals.

Application of juice and fresh herbs

Wormwood juice helps get rid of calluses. It is used externally to treat wounds, abrasions, burns, abscesses, promotes their rapid healing, and quickly stops bleeding in injuries. It is recommended to take wormwood juice internally, but due to its strong bitterness, it is diluted with honey. However, you need to remember that juice contains more toxic substances; you should not overdose it. Fresh, mashed grass is applied to bruises and tumors. It is recommended to chew young shoots and leaves of the grass to disinfect the oral cavity, normalize appetite and sleep, and eliminate bad breath.




Pharmacy drugs

  • Wormwood essential oil. Most often it is prescribed for neuroses, to improve memory and sleep quality. Relieves nausea during motion sickness, cleanses the body of toxins, eliminates pain during migraines, spasms of the gastrointestinal tract, relieves colds, ARVI, and flu. It is also used externally in cosmetology, to treat wounds, bruises, and sprains. It is important to remember that wormwood essential oil is a toxic drug and should not be consumed uncontrollably.
  • Dry vegetable raw materials. The instructions for use indicate that this medicinal plant belongs to the group of choleretic drugs. It is prescribed to increase appetite, in the complex treatment of chronic gastritis with low acidity and cholecystitis, biliary dyskinesia.
  • Alcohol tincture. In pharmacology, it refers to drugs that increase appetite due to the bitter content. The main indications for use are gastrointestinal diseases. The tincture is taken 15–20 drops 3 times a day.

About the antihelminthic properties of wormwood

Side effects and safety precautions

Overdose and long-term treatment can lead to side effects:

  • allergy to wormwood in the form of urticaria and itching;
  • indigestion: nausea, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, vomiting;
  • convulsions;
  • dizziness;
  • headache;
  • tremor;
  • loss of consciousness;
  • hallucinations.

What should you remember during treatment?

  • The course of treatment and dosage is prescribed by the doctor.
  • Therapy lasts no more than 2 weeks.
  • A repeated course is prescribed taking into account the effectiveness of treatment and side effects.
  • Wormwood is prohibited for children under 12 years of age.
  • Before using wormwood as an anthelmintic in children, you should consult a doctor.
  • If any side effects occur, you should stop taking the herb and consult a doctor.

Wormwood herb is the best remedy for normalizing digestion and stimulating appetite. The herb also helps with nervous disorders, metabolic disorders, malignant tumors, skin lesions, joint and muscle pain. This is one of the most effective herbal antihelminthics.

- (Artemisia), a genus of herbs, subshrubs and subshrubs of the family. Asteraceae. Baskets in paniculate, racemose or almost capitate inflorescence. OK. 400 (according to other sources, 250) species, in Eurasia, Africa, North. America; in the USSR approx. 180 species, almost... ... Biological encyclopedic dictionary

SAGEBRUSH- WORMWORM, wormwood, many. no, female Herb or subshrub from the family. Compositae, a weed with a strong odor. Bitter as wormwood. “How strongly the wormwood smells on the borders.” A. Turgenev. “On the ridges of the nikle there is a joyless burnt-out wormwood.” Sholokhov. Intelligent... ... Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary

sagebrush- in pureed or ground form it is stored all year round; in August and September it is sold fresh. An herb with a bitter taste, high in essential oils and bitterness. Wormwood activates digestion and stimulates the absorption of fatty foods... Culinary dictionary

sagebrush- ambrosia, tarragon Dictionary of Russian synonyms. wormwood noun, number of synonyms: 20 ambrosia (8) ... Synonym dictionary

SAGEBRUSH- WORMWORM, Artemisia, generic name of plants from the family. Asteraceae (Compositae). Among the numerous species of this genus of races, Figure 1. Artemisia citvarens. Figure 2. Wormwood. tsitvarnaya P. and bitter P. (Fig. 1 and 2). Gorkaya P., real P., or... Great Medical Encyclopedia

SAGEBRUSH Modern encyclopedia

SAGEBRUSH- a genus of herbs and shrubs of the Asteraceae family. OK. 400 species, mainly in the Northern Hemisphere; grow almost everywhere, abundant in the steppes, semi-deserts and deserts of the North. Kazakhstan, Wed. Asia, as well as in Transcaucasia. Contains essential oils... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

sagebrush- wormwood, f., gen. wormwood and obsolete wormwood, m., gen. wormwood... Dictionary of difficulties of pronunciation and stress in modern Russian language

Sagebrush- WORMWORM, a genus of herbs and subshrubs (family Asteraceae). About 400 species, mainly in the Northern Hemisphere. They grow in wastelands, weedy places, steppes, and semi-deserts. Contains essential oils, the alkaloid santonin, used in medicine... ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

sagebrush- black. wormwood (Artemisia), a genus of perennial, less often annual, herbaceous plants or low shrubs of the Asteraceae family, a fodder and medicinal plant. About 400 (according to other sources, 250) species, in Eurasia, North and South Africa,... ... Agriculture. Large encyclopedic dictionary

Books

  • Book of Power by Alena Wormwood, Witch Alena (Wormwood), So you have found it, your Book of Power. Not everyone has such happiness and not everyone will be able to understand what will be written next. This book is filled with Power, it has a soul and a heart. As long as I... Category: Magic and Witchcraft Publisher: Veligor, Buy for RUB 13,328
  • Oracle Alena Wormwood (36 cards + instructions), Witch Alena (Wormwood), The Oracle will become your confessor, teacher, mentor. The cards are also unique in that they are understandable to everyone, without exception, to people looking for answers in difficult situations, as well as to practitioners of all... Category: Fortune telling. Tarot cards Publisher:

Common names: wormwood, burnt, emshan, Chernobyl grass, bitter herb, forget-me-nots, helminth, widow's grass and others.

Latin name Artemisia absinthium L.

Aster families

Genus Artemisia - Wormwood

Ancient authors mention wormwood as a medicinal plant. According to some authors, its Latin name Artemisia indicates that the plant was dedicated to the goddess Artemis. The medieval expert on medicinal plants Lonicerius wrote that the grass, leaves and flowers help digestion, warm the body and expel poison and bile. Ancient Russian herbalists point to its use in the treatment of wounds and ulcers.

Description

Wormwood Artemisia absinthium L. Herbaceous perennial up to 130 cm tall, from the Aster family (Asteraceae).

The whole plant is grayish-silver with dense pubescence and by this feature it can be distinguished from other types of wormwood. It has a strong specific “wormwood” smell and is extremely bitter in taste.

Root core, branched. The rhizome is vertical.

Stems erect, branched at the top. A few short, sterile shoots and a few flowering shoots develop.

Leaves shoots on long petioles, alternate, middle stem leaves short-petioled, twice (thrice) pinnately dissected, upper ones almost sessile.

Flowers small, tubular, yellow, collected in spherical drooping baskets with a diameter of 2.5-3.5 mm on branches in one-sided brushes, which in turn form a paniculate complex inflorescence.

Fruit- achenes about 1 mm long. It blooms in June-August, the seeds ripen in August-September.

It blooms in July-August, the seeds ripen in September-October.

The plant has a strong specific odor.

Often used instead of wormwood P O Artemisia vulgaris L., which is easily recognized by the absence of silvery-white pubescence on the upper dark green side of the leaves. It is also used in folk medicine, but is not an equivalent substitute.

Spreading

Wormwood- a widespread species. It is found throughout the European part of the country (excluding tundra, northern taiga and semi-desert regions), in the Caucasus, in the southern part of Siberia, reaching east to the Yenisei.

A common plant in young fallow areas, where it sometimes forms almost pure thickets; As a weed, it often grows along roads, in gardens, orchards, in pastures, sometimes in meadows, along the edges of forests, on coastal slopes.

Growing on site

Grows in poor to average soils

Reproduction

Wormwood is propagated by seeds or green cuttings. Seeds remain viable for up to 2 years. Afterwards it begins to decline rapidly. For sowing, it is preferable to choose a sunny area with light and permeable soil. The plant does not tolerate stagnation of moisture in spring. Considering that wormwood seeds are very small, they can be sown thicker and almost superficially in a small area, and then the young plants can be planted in a permanent place.

Care

Care consists of weeding and loosening. After pruning, the plants grow back well. You should not cut them short before winter, as they will not survive the winter well.
In the first year of life, plants overwinter well, but with age their winter hardiness decreases. Therefore, once every 2-3 years it is necessary to renew the plantings.
Advice. The plant has a beautiful silver color and will look great with other plants in a mixborder, against the background of a house, or along a path.

P. bitter Artemisia absinthium L.

Medicinal raw materials

The flowering tops along with the flowers are collected as medicinal raw materials.

The grass is harvested during the flowering period of the plant (June-August), cutting off the leafy tops 20-25 cm long without rough parts of the stem with pruning shears or a knife. If the collection is late, the grass turns dark gray when dried, and the baskets turn brown and crumble. The collected raw materials are laid out for drying as quickly as possible.

Delays in harvesting lead to a decrease in the medicinal value of wormwood.

Dry wormwood in attics, under awnings or in the shade, laying it out in a 3-5 cm layer on paper or fabric and turning it over periodically.
Do not dry wormwood in a hot dryer or oven. At the same time, the essential oil evaporates greatly.

The shelf life of raw materials is 2 years.

To prevent the raw materials from darkening, the plants are loosely placed in baskets and quickly dried in the attic or under a canopy, laid out in a layer of 3-5 cm. Dry stems should break. In good weather, wormwood dries out in 5-7 days. Store raw materials in tight bags or wooden containers for 2 years.

Chemical composition

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