05/23/2026
Wormwood kills and expels intestinal worms
Artemisia absinthium, commonly known as wormwood, is a species of Artemisia in the family Asteraceae; a perennial, shrubby, green-silver bush native to temperate regions of Asia, Europe, and Northern Africa, and also found in the United States and Canada. A highly bitter herb, known as a medicinal and aromatic plant that has been prized for centuries and utilized worldwide in traditional community medicine, was particularly valued in the late 1700's, when it was used as the primary ingredient in the spirit Absinthe.
All parts of the wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) plant offer several health benefits, some of which have already been proven, and others are still under study. These are due to phytochemicals such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins.
Studies such as Bhat et al. (2019) and Mittu et al. (2025) have shown that wormwood possesses digestive, tonic, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antimicrobial, diuretic, neuroprotective, hypoglycemic, anticancer, immunomodulatory, and antipyretic activities. Also, antiparasitic properties, which are typically used as a natural anthelmintic (dewormer) to kill and expel human intestinal worms, particularly pinworms, roundworms, and tapeworms; its active compounds, primarily thujone and sesquiterpene lactones (such as santonin), are credited with paralyzing and killing these parasites.
A traditional, temporary deworming regimen involves steeping 2 teaspoons of dried wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) in 1 cup of boiling water for 10-15 minutes and consuming up to 3 cups of wormwood tea per day, but never for more than 4 consecutive weeks. Hence, due to the serious safety risks associated with the compound thujone, consuming too much of this herb can cause central nervous system disorders, intestinal cramps, vomiting, dizziness, and headaches. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you consult a doctor or a qualified herbalist before incorporating wormwood tea into your routine.
Sources:
Bhat, R.R. et al. (2019). Chemical Composition and Biological Uses of Artemisia absinthium (Wormwood). In: Ozturk, M., Hakeem, K. (eds) Plant and Human Health, Volume 3. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-04408-4_3
Mittu, B., Alam, M. S., Kaur, M., Begum, Z., & Kour, J. (2025). Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium). In Medicinal Plants of Himalayas (pp. 9-33). CRC Press.
