Horsetail is a plant with many benefits, but troublesome if not used properly + how to use it correctly

Wormwood, Grand Wormwood, Absinthe, Absinthium, Absinthe Wormwood, Mugwort, Wermout, Wermud, Wwormit, Wormod) is a herbaceous plant, stable, 80-120 cm high. It is a medicinal plant and has been used in traditional medicine to eliminate intestinal worms. This plant has psychoactive properties due to the presence of thujone. In the continuation of this article, the health section of Cheshk news magazine, in the collection of properties of medicinal plants, you will get to know the properties of wormwood or absinthe.

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Wormwood or absinthe

Wormwood, wormwood, or wormwood is a plant prized for its distinctive aroma, unique taste, and numerous health benefits, and it can be obtained from apothecaries.

While this plant is originally native to Europe, it grows easily in a variety of climates, including parts of Asia, Africa, South and North America. Kharagosh has velvety white or silver-green stems, yellow-green leaves, and light yellow or pale yellow bulbous flowers. All parts of this plant have been used in traditional medicine for hundreds of years.

In the past, this plant was distilled with anise and fennel to make a green drink called absinthe was prepared This drink, which had a high percentage of alcohol, became popular among the French, especially Parisian artists and writers, at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. Some famous people such as Vincent Van Gogh and Oscar Wilde were die-hard absinthe fans. Later, due to its hallucinogenic effect and health risks, absinthe consumption was banned in America. This ban continued for nearly a century, from 1912 to 2007.

But what are the benefits of this plant for human health and what are the precautions for its use? The following points are based on articles published by US National Center for Biotechnology Information have been collected:

Chemical compounds and properties

Wormwood is usually consumed as an extract or tea. Its oil is prepared from the stems and leaves of the plant, and the whole plant may be used for extract or tincture.

The mentioned formulations do not contain calories, vitamins or minerals, but they contain several herbal compounds, the most well-known of which is thujone.

This compound exists in two forms, alpha and beta, which are different at the molecular level. Although these differences are minor, they are significant. Because alpha thujone is more toxic and is the main active ingredient in wormwood.

It is thought that thujone works by blocking gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA); A neurotransmitter that has calming effects on the central nervous system, stimulates the brain. Although this combination may have various benefits, Too much thujone is toxic and has been linked to seizures and even death.

Properties of Kharagosh

Absinthe has many uses in non-western therapeutic methods, including traditional Chinese medicine.

pain relief

Kharagosh has long been noted for its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. For example, this plant has been found to help relieve arthritis, a painful disease caused by inflammation of the joints.

In a 4-week study of 90 adults with knee osteoarthritis, the application of 3% Efstanin skin ointment 3 times a day helped to improve pain levels and physical function. However, it should be said that this combination could not reduce muscle dryness.

It should also be noted that the plant itself should never be applied directly to the skin, as its compounds are too concentrated and can lead to painful burns.

Currently, there is not enough research to determine whether wormwood tea or extract also reduces pain.

Fight against parasitic infections

In ancient Egypt, wormwood was used to treat intestinal worms. This anti-parasite property is attributed to thujone.

However, the available evidence for this particular use is largely anecdotal. On the other hand, a series of animal and test tube studies show that this plant can fight tapeworms and other parasites. But it seems necessary to conduct more comprehensive studies.

Antioxidant properties

In addition to thujone, another notable ingredient in wormwood is camazolin. This substance acts as an antioxidant and is mostly concentrated in the essential oils obtained from the pre-flowering stage of the plant.

Antioxidants such as Camazolan can fight oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress itself is linked to cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's and a host of other chronic diseases.

Fight inflammation

Artemisinin is another plant compound found in horseradish that may help fight inflammation in the body. Long-term inflammation is associated with a variety of chronic diseases.

Artemisinin is thought to inhibit cytokines. These are proteins that are secreted by the immune system and cause inflammation.

Studies also show that wormwood can help relieve Crohn's disease. This disease is characterized by inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract. Symptoms may include diarrhea, fatigue, abdominal cramps, and other digestive problems.

In a study of 40 adults with this disorder, those who took a 500 mg wormwood supplement 3 times a day had fewer symptoms and less need for steroids after 8 weeks compared to a placebo group.

Dosing and safety

Due to the lack of thorough research, there are no specific dosage guidelines for absinthe.

However, various government agencies have placed restrictions on products containing horseradish, as its compounds can cause toxic effects.

For example, the European Union (EU) limits foods prepared with wormwood to 0.5 mg of thujone per kilogram. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also limits any commercial product containing thujone to 10 parts per million (ppm) or less. This amount is considered negligible and is therefore safe for most populations.

Of course, we must remember that wormwood tea and its extract are monitored by the FDA are not. Since these products contain significantly more thujone, they should with caution be consumed

Method of consumption

It is consumed as an infusion with hot water (up to 3 grams of dry plant per day) before or after meals. For edible purposes, you can use solid products prepared from sorghum, its extract or tincture.

Contraindications and side effects

Vulnerable populations and people with certain conditions should avoid consuming kharagosh. These items include:

– Pregnancy: You should not take wormwood if you are pregnant, as it may cause a miscarriage.

– Breastfeeding and early childhood: Breastfeeding women and children should avoid using this plant due to the lack of safety information.

– History of epilepsy: Thujone stimulates the brain and is known to cause seizures. Wormwood may also reduce the effectiveness of common anticonvulsant medications such as gabapentin and primidone.

– Having heart diseases: Taking this plant with medicines for heart patients such as warfarin may cause intestinal bleeding.

Kidney problems: Wormwood is toxic to the kidneys and may increase the risk of kidney failure.

History of sensitivity: Allergies to members of the Asteraceae family, such as marigolds, will also result in a reaction to wormwood. Because it is in the same botanical family.

High doses of wormwood may cause gastrointestinal upset, kidney failure, nausea, vomiting, and seizures. However, if you consume it in small doses, such as using it as a tea, the possibility of such side effects is greatly reduced.

Very large amounts of this plant and other products containing thujone can be fatal, although the lethal dose in humans has not been determined.

In addition, direct use on the skin can cause burns. If you use it topically, make sure it's only in ointment or lotion form.

Finally, no form of wormwood should be taken regularly for more than 4 weeks. This time frame is considered long-term, and the long-term safety and side effects of the plant are unknown.

Before taking any herbal or chemical prescription, consult a specialist doctor.