What are the medicinal uses of Artemisia?
Artemisia herba-alba contains chemicals that fight certain parasites and bacteria. It might also affect blood sugar levels. People use artemisia herba-alba for stomach pain, anxiety, common cold, diabetes, parasitic infections, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Reported side effects from artemisia annua include stomach pain, a slowed heart rate (bradycardia), diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, and flu-like symptoms.
Is Artemisia poisonous to humans?
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is an herb used in the alcoholic drinks vermouth and absinthe. Its oil contains the chemical thujone, which may be poisonous. The thujone in wormwood oil excites the central nervous system and can cause seizures and other adverse effects. Some of these active ingredients can improve brain function by regulating neurotransmitters, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. Wormwood has been widely studied for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as alzheimer’s disease and parkinson’s disease.