Artemisia absinthium
Artemisia absinthium, commonly known as wormwood, is a perennial herb celebrated for its intense bitterness and potent medicinal properties. Historically utilized to treat digestive ailments and intestinal parasites, this aromatic plant contains thujone. Today, it remains a significant botanical interest in both traditional herbalism and modern pharmacological research.
- Scientific name: Artemisia absinthium
- Family: Asteraceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae. It is specifically identified by the genus Artemisia, with the species name absinthium.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Artemisia | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant, known as Artemisia absinthium, exhibits a broad presence across several regions in Northern Europe. It can be found growing naturally within the landscapes of Denmark. The species is also distributed throughout the northern territories of Finland. Additionally, its range extends to the islands of Great Britain and Iceland. Finally, the plant is documented as part of the local flora in Ireland.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Iceland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
Chemicals
Artemisia absinthium has 52 reported phytochemicals identified across 74 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, artemisinin, polyphenols, camphor, chamazulene.
- Total chemicals
- 52
- Scientific sources
- 74
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| artemisinin | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| camphor | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| chamazulene | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| absinthin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chlorogenic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lignans | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rutin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Artemisia absinthium has 29 reported activities identified across 70 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Anthelmintic, Neuroprotective, Antifungal.
- Total activities
- 29
- Scientific sources
- 70
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| Antioxidant | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| Anthelmintic | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Artemisia absinthium has 74 reported medicinal uses identified across 85 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, antioxidant, diarrhea, dyspepsia.
- Total uses
- 74
- Scientific sources
- 85
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| malaria | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Plasmodium falciparum | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dyspepsia | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastritis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastrointestinal diseases | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| insomnia | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Acute Kidney Injury | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |