Absinthi herba

Extract from the dried parts of the shoots or leaves of the plant collected at flowering time.

Quality is defined in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.).

Quality of wormwood tincture (Absinthii tinctura) is specified in the German Drug Codex (DAC).

HMPC monograph: traditional-use: transient loss of appetite, mild dyspeptic and gastrointestinal complaints
ESCOP monograph: loss of appetite, dyspeptic complaints.
Commission E monograph: loss of appetite, dyspeptic complaints; dyskinesias of the biliary tract.

Empirical medicine: mildly crampy gastrointestinal complaints, achyly, atony of stomach and gallbladder.

At least 0.2% - 1.0% essential oil with alpha- and beta-thujone (has a neurotoxic effect in higher dosages), the sesquiterpene (guainolide derivatives) - bitter substances absinthin, anabsinthin, artabsinthin and others, as well as tannins and flavones. The drug must have a bitter substance value of at least 15,000.

Stimulating and tonic, tonic to gastric and biliary tracts; choleretic, further antiphlogistic, antioxdative and antibacterial. Experimentally effective against Leishmania major.

loss of appetite, dyspeptic complaints, dyskinesia of the bile ducts, mild, cramping gastrointestinal complaints including flatulence

Hypersensitivity to one of the active ingredients. The permissible amount of Thuijon is 6mg/day.

Adolescents, adults and the elderly before or after meals, depending on the indication. The use in children under 12 years is not recommended

Loss of appetite 30 minutes before meals:

Single dose of herbal tea 1-1.5 g of crushed herbal substance in 150 ml of boiling water as an infusion.

single dose: 1-1,5 g , daily dose: 2-3 g

Squeezed juice: single dose: 5 ml, daily dose: 10 ml

Tincture: single dose: 1 g daily dose: 3 g

Dyspeptic complaints after meals:

Herbal tea 1-1.5 g of crushed herbal substance in 150 ml of boiling water as infusion

Single dose: 1-1.5 g Daily dose: 2-3 g

Powdered herbal substance Single dose: 0.76 g, Daily dose: 2.28 g

Squeezed juice: single dose: 5 ml ; daily dose: 10 ml

Tincture: single dose: 1 g, daily dose: 3 g

Hypersensitivity to the active substance(s) and other plants of the composite family (Compositae). Biliary tract obstruction, cholangitis, or liver disease. Gastrointestinal ulcers

Caution in patients with gallstones and other biliary tract diseases.

Use during pregnancy and lactation is not recommended due to lack of data. No fertility data available.

The fixed combination of angelica root+ gentian root+ wormwood herb consists of:

• Angelicae radix (angelica root)
• Gentianae radix (gentian root)
• Absinthii herba (wormwood herb)

It stimulates the appetite, promotes the secretion of gastric juices and is used for loss of appetite and dyspeptic complaints such as bloating and flatulence.

Wormwood was already used in ancient times against various diseases and disorders.

Caution: wormwood essential oil contains thujone, up to 40% - this is spasmodic, leads to sensory and motor disorders with degenerative diseases of the CNS - absinthism.

1. Azizi K et al.(2016) In vitro efficacy of ethanolic extract of Artemisia absinthium (Asteraceae) against Leishmania major L. using cell sensitivity and flow cytometry assays. J Parasit Dis 40:735-740.
2. Ng SC et al,(2013) Systematic review: the efficacy of herbal therapy in inflammatory bowel disease. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 38:854-863.
3. Triantafyllidi A et al.(2015) Herbal and plant therapy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Ann Gastroenterol 28:210-220.
4. Turak A et al.(2014) Dimeric guaianolides from Artemisia absinthium. Phytochemistry 105:109-114.
5. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-artemisia-absinthium-l-herba-revision-1_en.pdf
6. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/wormwood.php.
7. Wenigmann M. (2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs, phytopharmaceuticals, application. Urban & Fischer, pp. 215-216