Ingestion of the drug can lead to a reflex stimulation of salivary, gastric and biliary secretions, which overall promotes digestion, stimulates appetite and promotes flatulence. Wormwood herb is further considered an aromatic bitters and antimicrobial agent.
Bitter substances cause effect of wormwood
The effect is based on the bitter substances and the essential oil. The bitter substances belong to the so-called sesquiterpene lactones, and the main component is absinthin. Other components found in the bitter substances are.
- Absintholide
- Isoabsintheand speciesolide and artanolide
- Pharsin B and C
Since the content of bitter substances increases enormously with full flowering, the time of harvest is of great importance.
Thujone and other active ingredients
The main component of essential oil is terpenes (chemical compounds that occur naturally in organisms), for example thujone and over 50 others. Thujone acts as an anticonvulsant in higher doses or with chronic use.
Other components of the drug include caffeic acid and coumarins (plant substances used in medications to inhibit blood clotting).
Wormwood: what are the side effects?
In case of overdose, side effects may occur when taking wormwood herb. Thujone, as the active component of the essential oil, acts as a convulsant in toxic doses by reversibly blocking certain receptors. Vomiting, stomach and intestinal cramps, and urinary retention may occur. In severe cases, drowsiness, central nervous disturbances, and kidney damage are possible.
Wormwood should not be taken with medications that may cause a lowering of the seizure threshold.
