The wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is a medicinal herb also known as wormwood herb-of-gall alenjo, yerba santa-a-daisy, fennel and sintro of the worms. There are records that indicate that wormwood has been used for thousands of years, because of its medicinal properties . In Ancient Greece, it was used as a way to honor the goddess Artemis; today, it is used in the manufacture of the alcoholic drink absinthe and can be made a tea that offers several benefits of the plant .
Its main characteristic is its bitter taste. This characteristic is said to have been cited in a proverb by Solomon, who would have said: “Infidelity, while it may be exciting and sweet at its beginning, usually ends up as bitter as wormwood.”
Index
Properties and benefits of wormwood
- Helps in the treatment of anemia.
- Activates blood circulation.
- Alleviates heartburn and dyspepsia.
- Intestinal cramps relieves, also cleanses and normalizes the functioning of the stomach.
- Helps in the treatment of kidneys, bladder and lungs.
- It eases difficult and painful periods, it also regularizes the menstrual cycle.
- It is also good for: neuralgia, bad breath , constipation, vomiting, repels lice, liver failure, etc.
- It acts as an appetite and digestion stimulant, proving useful for anorexia treatments and similar conditions.
Recipe for this tea
Wormwood tea is easily prepared: add 20 grams of the plant’s leaves or flowers to 1 liter of hot water, infusing it (leaving it to rest for 10 minutes). Drink a cup of tea before every main meal to get its effects (2 cups a day).
Contraindications and side effects
As all teas have been studied in depth, wormwood tea has contraindications, these are: pregnant women or breastfeeding women should not take them, nor people with gastritis, therefore, it is important to have the doctor’s visits up to date.
As for its side effects due to high doses, we can mention: tremors, convulsions, dizziness and delirium. If used with alcohol, it can lead to dependence, hallucinations and even irreversible/permanent neurological damage. Avoid exceeding 2 cups a day, the high doses are dangerous and avoid drinking tea with alcohol.
If you are going to use the leaves, you should opt for those that were removed at the first signs of formation of the reproductive organs; on the other hand, if you are going to use the flowers, the flowers picked soon after they bloom should be used. The conservation of the wormwood is also important, it must be stored dry. To ensure this, place the flowers outstretched in a well-ventilated place, keeping them away from exposure to sunlight. Then place and store the flowers in wooden boxes.
