Wormwood tea is well known in natural medicine and is widely used for its benefits for digestion, to fight worms and to detoxify the liver.
The scientific name of wormwood is Artemisia absinthium L. , but it is popularly called wormwood , gall-holly, and sintro.
It is native to Europe but gained notoriety, and became widespread throughout the world, after the creation of the absinthe liqueur (or “green fairy”, due to the drink’s emerald-green color), much appreciated in the Belle Époque by poets and artists such as Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec, Baudelaire, Picasso and others.
Know the advantages of consuming this herb for the health of the body. See how to prepare your tea and the necessary care. Follow it below!
Table of Contents
What are the benefits of wormwood?
Its main properties are digestive, carminative (prevents the formation of intestinal gas), liver tonic (stimulates liver functions), vermifuge, among others.
Improves digestion
One of the main actions of wormwood tea in the body is against bad digestion . As a powerful digestive , the herb stimulates salivation and the production of gastric juices, improving digestion and preventing the feeling of bloating and heavy belly.
Betaine, a compound present in the wormwood structure, acts as a cytoprotector of the gastric mucosa. In this way, it preserves normal or healthy stomach cells from toxic or harmful effects.
Another function of it is as an orexigen, that is, it can stimulate the appetite, being highly recommended for cases of anorexia and anemia .
Protect the liver
Wormwood is hepatoprotective . Used correctly and without excesses, its infusion can increase biliary secretion, favoring liver function. This is reflected in the purification of the blood , removing it from the cells, and their liquids, waste and toxins .
The degradation of hemoglobin, a protein present in red blood cells, leads to the accumulation of bilirubin. This compound in high concentration is the main cause of jaundice, which leaves the skin yellow and an indication that the liver is not healthy. Wormwood tea makes this control possible.
The consumption of this drink also has lipotropic action, reducing fat deposits in the liver.
Fighting worms
Artemisia absinthium L tea . it is effective against many parasites. This dewormer manages to eliminate Ascaris lumbricoides Ascaridiasis from the body , or as it is popularly known, “ roundworm ”.
The drink also exterminates pinworms, hookworms, the geographic bug and filariasis. The bitter principles of wormwood, artemisinin and santonin, are responsible for this effect.
In addition, the myrcene present in wormwood, fights bacteria such as E. coli, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus . It is also an important antibacterial.
Chá de losna
According to the Osvaldo Filho Foundation (Fiocruz), wormwood juice or juice should never be used, as it is highly toxic in its natural state. The infusion eliminates part of this effect. To make tea, the used parts of the plant are leaves and flowers .
Ingredients
- 20 grams of losna
- 1 liter of water.
Preparation mode
Boil the water, turn off the heat and add the wormwood. Let stand for 15 minutes with the container covered. Drink 2 cups a day, before or after meals.
As an appetite stimulant, use 5 to 15 grams of wormwood for each liter of water and always consume 30 minutes before meals. Regardless of the treatment, you should not drink more than two cups of this drink a day.
To use as an insect repellent , soak wormwood, rue and garlic in hot water for 30 minutes, let cool and strain. Spray the plants.
Contraindications and side effects
Thujone is a toxic component present in wormwood. Too much in the body can cause excitement, tremors and convulsions. Its prolonged use can cause irreversible neurological damage.
The internal use of wormwood is especially discouraged in pregnant women , nursing mothers and patients with gastrointestinal irritation. The essence of the herb increases the stimulation of the female sexual organs, becoming oxytocic, that is, it speeds up labor by stimulating the uterus. In that case, it can be abortive .
In prolonged internal use, its side effects range from headache, stomach pain, loss of consciousness, seizures and death. It is also hallucinogenic , the santonin present in the plant would be responsible for this reaction.
Characteristics of losna
Wormwood is a herbaceous plant that can reach up to 1.20 meters in height. It produces leaves covered with fine hairs that give it a grayish hue. Its flowers are pale yellow, tiny and gathered in small bunches. All parts of the plant have a very bitter taste and strong aroma.
Oils from this plant are used to flavor many alcoholic beverages, different liqueurs, appetizers, wines and vermouths. In addition, it is the main component in the manufacture of bitter brandy, absinthe.
Curiosity
Distilled wormwood provides an essence that is the basis for the absinthe liqueur. Because it acts intensely on the nervous system, this alcoholic beverage is now banned in several countries.
How to plant
The plant is easily propagated by splitting or cutting the roots in autumn or by seeding in the spring, in both cases it should be planted in a shady and clayey place.
My name is Ellie Lauderdale, MD and I am USA based professional Nutritionist .
I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and board certified specialist in sports dietetics who is trained in integrative medicine. I have worked with hundreds of clients, from those suffering with chronic disease to professional and olympian athletes. My goal is to help optimize you from the inside so that you can feel, perform, and look your best on the outside.