Artemisia absinthium
Artemisia absinthium herb of the Perennial herbaceous plants, which follow the Asteraceae family. They are a semi-shrub growing to a height of 60 to 120 cm. They carry a solid, woody rose, and the trunk of the many branches and leaves. The plant originates in Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia, North and South America, and contains Thujone which stimulates the central nervous system, which also causes many side effects, and some people use them in many therapeutic purposes, especially in some digestive disorders, in addition to their external uses on the skin to heal wounds and insects, and found some research some of the health benefits of this herb, this article aims to talk about the most important of these benefits.
Benefits of herb
Some scientific studies have found some of the roles and health benefits of Artemisia absinthium herb, but the scientific evidence on them is not enough, and they need more research. These roles include all of the following:
- Crohns’s disease. Some preliminary studies suggest that taking a specific herb every day for 10 weeks improves the quality of life and mood and reduces the amount of steroid drugs needed by people with the disease.
- Anorexia.
- Indigestion.
- Gallbladder disorders.
- Wounds.
- Insect stings.
- Cases of worms infection.
- Low libido.
- Contractions.
- Increase sweating.
Toxicity and side effects
It is considered that eating the herb of Artemisia absinthium quantities of the usual in the food and some drinks safe if these products are free of Thogon, but if the herb contains this compound, it can cause seizures, and the disintegration of structural muscles or the so-called dislocation of ribids : Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, difficulty sleeping, restlessness, vision of nightmares, vomiting, stomach cramps, dizziness, tremors, urinary retention, thirst, numbness of arms and legs, paralysis and death. Every long-term can lead to Absinthinism), which can cause hallucinations, nervousness, mental confusion.
The consumption of the herb is prohibited during pregnancy, because the presence of thogon can affect the uterus and endanger the pregnancy, and should avoid the use of external in this period because of the lack of sufficient information, as well as in the period of lactation, which should avoid this herb due to lack of sufficient information on the safety of its use.
In addition, some people suffer from other herbs allergies belonging to the same herb species, so it can cause allergies when taken by these people, and should avoid them, and may adversely affect and worsen the situation of some people who suffer from a rare genetic disease in the blood called Porphyria, where the thujon found in the oil of the Artemisia absinthiumv can cause the production of some chemicals called porphyrins.
You should also avoid eating this herb or consult a doctor in people with any kidney problems, as its oil can cause kidney failure, and Thogon can increase the chance of seizures in people exposed to it, such as people with epilepsy, or other of the disorders that cause these seizures.
Drug interactions
The herb is interacted with anticonvulsants, which can reduce the effectiveness of these drugs. These drugs include the following drugs: Phenobarbital, Primidone, Valproic acid, Gabapentin, Carbamazepine, Phenytoin ) And others.
Note : This article is not a medical reference, it does not dispense with consulting a doctor.