Wormwood

Clinical Notes. Traditional herbal medicinal product Use low thujone chemotypes (&lt 6 mg daily intake) Not for children and adolescents under 18 years Do not use longer than 3-4 weeks without medical advice Complies with Ph. Eur. monograph 1380 /HMPC EU Long-term high-dose essential oil use may cause neurotoxicity (absinthism

Therapy. External. Absinthium, steeped in vinegar and water, makes an admirable hot fomentation for sprains, bruises and local inflammations. It should not be applied to abraded surfaces. Internal. Small doses of absinthium stimulate the appetite and give tone to the gastric membranes, thus favoring digestion. For this purpose it is sometimes useful in atonic dyspepsia; especially in that form due to alcoholic excesses. Large doses irritate the stomach and give rise to increased action of the heart. Though less agreeable than santonin, it may also be used for the expulsion of the intestinal parasites-Ascaris vermicularis and Ascaris lumbricoides. The oil may be given in doses of 1 to 5 drops.

Properties and Uses. The leaves and flowers were used by the ancients. They are stimulating and relaxing tonics, bitter and strong to the highest degree, and acting upon the stomach and gall-ducts. It improves appetite and digestion, and slightly influences the bowels; for which effects it has been a favorite addition to tonic preparations for low and bilious conditions, intermittents, jaundice, hypochondria, and similar maladies.

Action. Both oil of wormwood and extract of absinth act as nerve depressants upon man. Small doses at first stimulate, larger ones produce headache, and still larger doses induce cerebral disturbances and clonic hysteroidal convulsions.