Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

What is a herb–drug interaction?

A herb–drug interaction happens when a plant or supplement changes how a medication works in your body — making it stronger, weaker, or more likely to cause harm. Herbs contain active compounds that can speed up or slow down the enzymes and transporters your body uses to process drugs.

Why it matters

St. John's Wort can make birth control, antidepressants, and blood thinners less effective.

Garlic can increase bleeding risk with warfarin and other blood thinners (also ginkgo, ginger, and turmeric).

Kava can amplify sedation when taken with anxiety or sleep medications (also valerian).

The risk is highest for older adults, anyone taking several medications, and people with chronic conditions.

Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about every herb and supplement you take — and check below before combining.

Known Drug Interactions (1)

1 Severe

Drug	Severity	Description
Anticonvulsants (Phenobarbital)	Severe	Wormwood contains thujone which may lower the seizure threshold and counteract anticonvulsant medications.

This list reflects a curated subset of documented interactions and is not exhaustive. The absence of a drug here is not proof that it is safe to combine. Always confirm with a pharmacist or healthcare provider.

Frequently asked questions

How does wormwood work as a digestive bitter?

Wormwood contains bitter compounds called absinthin and artabsin that stimulate bitter taste receptors on the tongue, triggering a reflex that increases gastric acid secretion, bile flow, and digestive enzyme production. This mechanism, known as the 'bitter reflex,' enhances overall digestion and nutrient absorption. The herb also contains chamazulene, which provides anti-inflammatory effects on the digestive tract lining (Evidence Level: B for digestive uses).

Is wormwood safe to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

No, wormwood is unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The herb has been traditionally used as an emmenagogue and abortifacient, meaning it can stimulate uterine contractions and induce menstruation, potentially causing miscarriage. The thujone content poses additional developmental risks. Breastfeeding women should also avoid wormwood as thujone and other compounds may pass into breast milk. Women attempting to conceive should discontinue wormwood use.

What is the recommended dosage for wormwood tea or supplements?

For adults, the standard dosage is 1-1.5 grams of dried wormwood herb prepared as a tea, taken three times daily for up to 4 weeks maximum. Alternatively, 200-300mg of standardized extract can be taken daily. Long-term use beyond 4 weeks is not recommended due to thujone accumulation and potential neurotoxicity. Dosage for children has not been established (Evidence Level: B).

Does wormwood interact with any medications?

Wormwood has several potential drug interactions. Due to its thujone content, it may interact with anticonvulsant medications by lowering the seizure threshold. It should not be combined with hepatotoxic drugs, as wormwood may stress liver function. Wormwood may also potentiate CNS depressants and interact with anticoagulants. Patients taking prescription medications should consult a healthcare provider before using wormwood supplements.

Can wormwood cause seizures or neurological side effects?

Yes, wormwood can cause seizures and neurological effects due to its thujone content, a known neurotoxin that affects GABA receptors in the brain. At high doses or with prolonged use, thujone can trigger seizures, hallucinations, restlessness, and dizziness. People with seizure disorders should strictly avoid wormwood. Excessive consumption can lead to 'absinthism,' historically characterized by addiction and neurological damage. Adhere to recommended dosages and duration limits.

PubMed-compiled information sheet

This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.

Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is a perennial shrubby plant used traditionally for various ailments, containing bioactive compounds such as thujone [PMID:32585887, PMID:16891209].

Background

Artemisia absinthium is a perennial shrubby plant of pharmaceutical and botanical importance [PMID:32585887]. It is a primary component of the alcoholic beverage absinthe [PMID:16891209].

Traditional uses

Traditionally used to manage disorders including hepatocyte enlargement, hepatitis, gastritis, jaundice, wound healing, splenomegaly, dyspepsia, indigestion, flatulence, gastric pain, anemia, and anorexia [PMID:32585887]. It has been known for medicinal properties since Antiquity, recommended by Egyptians (1600 BC), Hippocrates, and Galien [PMID:24919378].

Active compounds

Contains the monoterpene thujone [PMID:16891209, PMID:15896935]. Other bioactive components include flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactones, terpenoids, coumarins, and phenolic acids, specifically chlorogenic acid [PMID:42199532, PMID:36234965, PMID:31450704].

Mechanism of action

Thujone interacts with GABA-receptors [PMID:17912872], and may cause dose-dependent tonic-clonic seizures via GABA type A receptor modulation [PMID:20542104]. In the vascular system, wormwood increases tonus in vascular resistance vessels via a sympathetic reflex [PMID:26074998]. Extract may target the JAK2/STAT3 pathway to ameliorate atherosclerosis [PMID:40647133].

Clinical evidence

Evidence ACoccidiosis (Broiler Chickens)

Plant extracts (essential oil and methanolic) administered in food or water were effective in reducing oocyst shedding, bloody diarrhoea, and mortality rate, while improving weight gain [PMID:38616734].

Evidence DNeurotoxicity (In vitro)

Extract prevented loss of cell viability and reduced ROS generation, lipid peroxidation, and apoptosis in quinolinic acid-induced neurotoxicity in OLN-93 cells [PMID:36998142].

Evidence DCancer (In vitro)

Alcoholic extracts showed cytotoxic effects against A375 (melanoma) and MCF7 (breast adenocarcinoma) cells [PMID:31450704].

Evidence DInflammation (Animal model)

Extracts ameliorated the pro-inflammatory effect of TPA in mice ears [PMID:31450704].

Safety & adverse effects

Thujone is a toxic monoterpene [PMID:16891209]. High concentrations of wormwood oil can cause seizures [PMID:16722551]. Chronic abuse of absinthe was historically linked to 'absinthism,' characterized by hallucinations, sleeplessness, and convulsions, though it is debated if this was due to thujone or chronic alcohol intoxication [PMID:15896935, PMID:16891209]. One case report noted acute suicidality emerging during absinthe consumption [PMID:30282294]. Essential oil may disrupt lipid metabolism in human hepatic stellate cells [PMID:38000518].

Evidence summary

Evidence consists primarily of historical reviews, in vitro studies, and animal models. There is one systematic review/meta-analysis regarding veterinary use (broilers). Human clinical data is limited to case reports and historical accounts of toxicity.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 16891209 (2006) — Absinthe--a review. · Critical reviews in food science and nutrition
2.PMID: 17912872 (2007) — [Thujone]. · Medizinische Monatsschrift fur Pharmazeuten
3.PMID: 15896935 (2006) — Thujone--cause of absinthism? · Forensic science international
4.PMID: 24919378 (2013) — [Absinthe rehabilitated]. · Bulletin de l'Academie nationale de medecine
5.PMID: 27222528 (2016) — Sunflower seed allergy. · International journal of immunopathology and pharmacology
6.PMID: 30282294

Wormwood

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Wormwood

⚠️ Not Recommended During Pregnancy or Nursing

1 Known Drug Interaction — Some May Be Serious

Contraindications

Possible Side Effects