Have you ever heard of absinthe? This is a herbaceous plant of the Artemis family, which has great properties and health benefits. It was used in antiquity and the Middle Ages. Wormwood is well known for its bitter taste that serves as a parasite repellent. It is found in dry and sunny soils, next to open fields or roads. This plant has erect and whitish stems and leaves with silky hairs, soft to the touch, it also has yellow flowers.
What is wormwood used for – most common uses
In ancient times, wormwood was used as a medicinal remedy to alleviate the symptoms of certain health problems, and excellent medicinal properties are still attributed to it today. Wormwood has various uses, of which you can take advantage of since they are beneficial for your body. Among the uses of wormwood , the following stand out:
- It repels parasites , thanks to its bitterness and relieves the discomfort of an insect bite. It also helps to expel parasitic worms such as earthworms.
- It helps improve digestive problems due to its absintine composition, which serves to improve the functions of the digestive system.
- It can also be used to prepare a wormwood tea that will help improve intestinal transit.
- It is used to treat malaria.
- Relieves fever .
- Stimulates sweating.
- Treats jaundice (yellow pigmentation of the skin and mucous membranes of the body due to a liver problem)
- Stimulates sexual desire.
- Helps lose weight . Because it stimulates your metabolism.
- Fights halitosis (bad breath).
- It is diuretic so it helps to improve excess fluids in the body.
- To improve the symptoms of colds , flu and flu.
As you can see, wormwood has various beneficial uses for your health.
Medicinal properties of wormwood and its benefits
The medicinal properties of wormwood and its benefits for our body are diverse Properties of wormwood as a medicinal plant.
Among the active principles of wormwood we find thujone, thujol and cineol in its essential oil, present in almost all the plant, bitter principles such as absintine, as well as other components such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannins and some mineral salts.
- carminative
- Expectorant
- choleretic
- anti-inflammatory
- Anthelmintic
- Diuretic
- emmenagogue
- vulnerability
- healing
Benefits of wormwood
- Due to its bitterness, it is very beneficial for digestive system problems such as flatulence and poor digestion, since it stimulates the production of the hormone gastrin, which helps direct food as well as possible. Fights the lack of appetite, since the bitter principles increase stomach movements. Thanks to this, this plant can be administered to people with anorexia, malnutrition or weakened. Learn more about what are digestive infusions here .
- Wormwood is very beneficial when it comes to treating liver diseases. Thanks to its cholagogue and choleretic properties, it is very useful for this type of problem.
- It has anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties, which is why it is used in the treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Being a diuretic, this plant is also used as a supplement to lose weight. If you are interested in this property because you want to lose weight and cleanse the body, in this other article you will find which are the most diuretic infusions .
- Thanks to its expectorant properties, it helps to improve respiratory problems that cause mucus, such as colds, colds and flu.
- There are preparations of this plant that, when applied to a painful joint, relieve pain and reduce inflammation of, for example, a sprain, a dislocation, a tear, fractures, tendinitis…
- Wormwood has bactericidal, fungicidal and vulnerary properties, making it ideal for treating skin problems such as sores or wounds.
- The emmenagogues contained in this plant promote blood discharge during menstruation, so it can be used to treat certain menstrual abnormalities.
- It serves as a tonic for your body, revitalizing and providing energy.
How to take absinthe
The most common is to make an infusion of wormwood by adding 3 tablespoons of wormwood to a liter of boiling water and drink two or three cups a day before or after any meal. If you can't stand its strong taste, you can add honey, sugar or lemon to the infusion. Absinthe can be taken in 3 different formats:
- Infusion: prepare a liter of boiling water and add 7 grams of the flowering end of the plant and drink two glasses a day as an aperitif.
- Powder: take a maximum of 3 grams per day as an appetizer.
- Tincture: it is obtained by adding 15 drops of this plant to an infusion of anise or mint. Take 3 times a day but outside of meals.
Here we explain how to take wormwood in certain situations:
- Wormwood to lose weight: wormwood can help you lose weight as long as you lead a healthy life, exercising and eating a healthy low-fat diet. You can take two infusions a day of this plant. Here we talk more about what are the best infusions to lose weight .
- Wormwood for menstruation: take an infusion of a teaspoon of dried plant per liter of boiling water and drink two cups a day 7 days before it comes.
- Wormwood for the liver: if you have biliary problems, you can drink a small cup of an infusion of half a teaspoon of dried plant per cup of water. Do not add honey and eat it before breakfast. If, on the other hand, you have jaundice, ingest an infusion of one and a half tablespoons of dried leaves per liter of water and take it on an empty stomach.
- Wormwood for digestive problems: against any digestive problem you can ingest an infusion of half a tablespoon of leaves and flowers per cup of water.
- Wormwood for rheumatism problems: take an infusion of half a tablespoon of dried plant per cup of water for 10 or 15 minutes and drink three cups a day sweetened with honey.
It is important not to overuse wormwood, as its abuse could have harmful effects on your health. Take it in small doses no more than 3 times a day and for a maximum of 3 weeks in a row. The best thing is to always take it under the prescription of a doctor, who will indicate the doses according to the case.
Contraindications of wormwood
Keep in mind that, although this plant is very beneficial for health, there are also certain contraindications of wormwood as a medicinal plant:
- It is not recommended for pregnant or lactating women.
- Although it is not very frequent, it may be the case that you are allergic to this plant or to any of its components, so in this case you should not come into contact with it under any circumstances.
- Children under 8 years old.
