Wormwood

Why You Need It

• Boosts Digestion: Stimulates the production of stomach acid and bile.
• Appetite Stimulant: Helps combat low appetite naturally.
• Intestinal Parasite Expulsion: Historically used to kill parasitic worms (hence the name).
• Anti-inflammatory: Used topically to soothe skin irritation.

Deep Dive

Wormwood works primarily through its signature compounds: thujone and sesquiterpene lactones. These give wormwood its intensely bitter taste. When you taste bitterness, it triggers a reflex in your brain to increase saliva and stomach acid production. This 'bitters reflex' is crucial for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients. Historically, wormwood was the go-to remedy for expelling roundworms and hookworms, though modern medicine has largely replaced this use due to more effective pharmaceutical options. Current research suggests it also has strong antibacterial and antifungal properties, making it useful for fighting certain infections.

Natural Food Sources

Unlike vitamins found in oranges or spinach, Wormwood is not a dietary food but a medicinal herb. It is not typically found in standard meals unless used as a botanical ingredient (like in the spirit 'Absinthe' or herbal bitters). You consume it as a tea, tincture, or capsule.

Supplementation

• Standardized Extracts: Look for products specifying the thujone content (should be low).
• Dosage: There is no official Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) because it is not an essential nutrient. Common herbal doses range from 300mg to 1g of dried herb per day.
• Duration: It should be taken in cycles (e.g., 2–4 weeks on, 1 week off). Long-term, daily use is not recommended.