Wormwood & Hypertension

Wormwood, also known as artemisia absinthium, is an herb used for many medicinal purposes, including hypertension. Wormwood has been used for centuries in ancient cultures. In Egypt, wormwood use dates back as far as 1600 B.C., according to Golden Harvest Organics.

Identification

• Wormwood is used both as a tonic and a salve. Besides high blood pressure, wormwood is also used to stimulate the imagination, increase libido and fight digestive disorders.

Significance

• Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a serious condition that increases the chance of stroke or heart attack, according to the Mayo Clinic. Working with your doctor to lower your blood pressure is important, but the efficacy of wormwood on hypertension is not fully known.

Warning

• Large amounts of wormwood can have serious side effects. Wormwood contains a chemical called thujone, which can induce seizures, breakdown of muscle tissue and numerous other problems if taken in large doses.

Interactions

• People taking medicine to prevent seizures should not take wormwood, as it commonly interacts with those medicines.

Types

• Wormwood can be made into an oil. The oil is either ingested or rubbed into the skin, according to WebMD.