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Evidence Based

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Wormwood Benefits & Uses According to Research

Written by Dr. Michael Ruscio, DC on September 10, 2025

Written by Dr. Michael Ruscio, DC on September 10, 2025 — Reviewed by Hannah Wright

• What Is Wormwood?|
• Benefits|
• How We Use It in the Clinic|
• Side Effects|
• FAQs|

Wormwood may be best known as the bitter herb in absinthe, a famously potent alcoholic drink. But for centuries wormwood has been prized especially for its medicinal properties. From easing indigestion to fighting infections, wormwood earned its place in traditional healing long before modern science began to understand why.

Today, research suggests this humble plant may support gut health, protect the brain, calm inflammation, and more. Here’s a closer look at wormwood benefits—and how we use it safely in the clinic.

What Is Wormwood?

If you’ve ever sipped absinthe or certain bitter aperitifs, you’ve already had a taste of wormwood (Artemisia absinthium). But this shrub is far more than a cocktail ingredient. For centuries, cultures across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East have turned to wormwood as a healing herb—and for good reason.

Traditionally, wormwood was used for 1:

• Digestive problems like indigestion, poor appetite, and gastritis
• Liver support
• Anemia, chronic fevers, and inflammatory conditions
• Skin conditions and joint stiffness
• Menstrual pain and childbirth support

What makes wormwood especially interesting to us in the clinic is its wide-ranging bioactive compounds—flavonoids like quercetin and rutin, and phenolic acids like gallic and chlorogenic acid. These are the same compounds behind wormwood’s bitterness and its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. In other words, it’s both bitter and beneficial 1.

Benefits of Wormwood

Although many of wormwood’s uses are rooted in tradition, early research highlights several promising benefits. The strongest evidence is for its benefits to human gut health—other evidence suggests its potential to benefit many other areas of the body.

1. Gut Support

Traditionally, people have taken wormwood for problems like indigestion, gas or bloating, and poor appetite. Some health practitioners use it for similar reasons today. Though we need more human research to prove it, wormwood may boost digestive juices, which could explain its historic use as an appetite stimulant and digestive support 1.

Even more impressive, a randomized clinical trial (gold-standard type of human study) with Crohn’s patients showed that wormwood not only reduced their digestive symptoms but also improved their mood and quality of life—all while helping them cut back on steroids 2. 

Another study with Crohn’s patients showed that wormwood may reduce inflammation and speed up their gut healing 3. That makes wormwood one of the rare herbs that shows promise for tough autoimmune gut conditions.

Why it matters: Beyond its use as a digestive aid for the masses, human studies suggest wormwood can calm digestive symptoms, lower inflammation, improve mood, and enhance quality of life for people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

2. Antimicrobial and Antifungal Properties

Wormwood has long been used as a natural parasite cleanse, and modern research confirms it has antimicrobial and antifungal properties 1. In plain terms, it has the potential to help the body keep harmful microbes, yeast, and parasites in check. That’s why we often use wormwood in combination with other herbs when we’re helping patients rebalance their gut microbiome.

Why it matters: Wormwood shows promise for fighting off harmful microbes, yeast, and parasites that can throw your gut out of balance.

3. Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Chronic inflammation is at the root of many health struggles, from joint stiffness to fatigue. In animal studies and lab tests on human cells, wormwood has reduced inflammatory signals 4. We need human trials to confirm this effect in people, but this suggests wormwood may help calm the kind of ongoing inflammation that keeps people from feeling their best.

Why it matters: Wormwood could reduce chronic inflammation, which is often behind fatigue, pain, and ongoing flare-ups.

4. Antioxidant Properties

Our bodies face constant stress from things like toxins, poor dietary choices, social challenges, and even normal daily activities. Wormwood is rich in flavonoids and phenolic acids—compounds that can act as antioxidants to mop up free radicals 4 5. Think of them as cellular “shielding” with the potential to protect your brain, heart, and gut tissue from wear and tear.

Why it matters: Wormwood’s antioxidants might protect the brain, heart, and gut cells from damage caused by stress and aging.

5. Potential Brain Health & Mood Support

Animal studies suggest wormwood may protect brain tissue, reduce depression-like symptoms, and improve cognitive function by reducing oxidative stress in the nervous system 6.

Why it matters: Wormwood shows promise for protecting the brain, supporting clearer thinking, and promoting a more stable mood.

6. Potential Cancer Support

Early lab studies show wormwood extracts can selectively kill certain human cancer cells (like breast and melanoma) while sparing healthy ones 4. This is intriguing, but more research is necessary before it’s used for cancer patients.

Why it matters: Early research shows wormwood extracts can target certain cancer cells in a petri dish, highlighting its strong anti-cancer potential.

How We Use Wormwood in the Clinic

At the Ruscio Institute, we use wormwood as part of our Biota-Clear supplement protocol for microbial imbalances in the gut. Wormwood is included in:

• Biota-Clear 1b—15 mg of wormwood per capsule
• Biota-Clear 2a—150 mg of wormwood per capsule

Typical protocol:

• Correcting gut imbalances:
  • Biota-Clear 1b: Take 2 caps twice a day (60 mg of wormwood per day) with Biota-Clear 1a—for one month.
  • Biota-Clear 2a: Take 2 caps twice a day (600 mg of wormwood per day) with Biota-Clear 2b—for the second month.
• Gut maintenance: Take 2 caps per day (30–300 mg of wormwood per day depending on the formula).

The Biota-Clear supplements can be taken with or without food. The doses we use have much less wormwood than used in Crohn’s disease trials (500–750 mg three times daily) 2 3, which adds a layer of safety while still delivering meaningful benefits. 

Potential Side Effects and Risks

Wormwood can be powerful, but it’s not without risks—especially in high doses or with long-term use. As with all nutritional supplements, you should definitely speak with a healthcare provider before taking wormwood.

Possible side effects of using too much wormwood or using it for too long include 1:

• Neurotoxicity (memory loss, difficulty concentrating, headaches, numbness, weakness, vision problems, and behavioral changes like anxiety or irritability)
• Seizures
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach cramps
• Dizziness, shakiness, or insomnia
• Allergic reaction
• Difficulty going pee
• Hallucinations 

These risks are mostly linked to thujone, a compound found in wormwood essential oil. The whole-plant powders used in supplements like Biota-Clear contain much lower levels.

Who should avoid wormwood 1:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• People with ulcers or excess stomach acid
• Those with known wormwood allergies

Frequently Asked Questions About Wormwood

What is wormwood used for?
Traditionally, wormwood was used for indigestion, appetite loss, and parasites. Today, holistic practitioners may use it for similar reasons, based on research showing it may benefit gut health and has the potential to reduce inflammation and free radical damage throughout the body.

Is wormwood safe to take daily?
Yes, in small doses of whole-plant wormwood (like in Biota-Clear). However, high doses and wormwood essential oil can be toxic. Always stick to products and doses recommended by a knowledgeable healthcare provider.

Is wormwood safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
No. Wormwood is not considered safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding, as its compounds may affect the uterus and nervous system. Women who are pregnant or nursing should avoid it.

Can wormwood help with Candida or SIBO?
Probably. Wormwood’s antimicrobial and antifungal properties and our positive clinical experience with it make it an important part of our gut-healing protocols for Candida overgrowth and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).

Does wormwood kill parasites?
Yes, though we don’t have research yet in humans. Wormwood has natural antiparasitic properties and has long been used as a deworming herb for livestock. In the clinic, we believe it’s most effective when combined with other herbs for balanced support.

What are the side effects of wormwood?
At high doses, wormwood can cause nausea, stomach cramps, dizziness, seizures, and hallucinations due to compounds like thujone. Whole-plant supplements (like Biota-Clear) contain much lower, safer amounts.

Who should NOT take wormwood?
Avoid wormwood if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or you have ulcers or high stomach acid, epilepsy, or an allergy to wormwood or related plants.

How long can I take wormwood?
In clinical (human) research, wormwood was safely used for up to 10 weeks. For ongoing support, we recommend rotating wormwood with other antimicrobial herbs, as in our Biota-Clear protocol.

The Upshot: Using Wormwood Wisely

Wormwood is a powerful herb with research-backed benefits for gut health and the potential to reduce inflammation, balance the gut microbiome, and more. Its traditional use spans centuries, but modern evidence is beginning to validate its role in supporting digestion and overall wellness.

At the Ruscio Institute, we’ve refined how we use wormwood by incorporating it into our Biota-Clear 1b and 2a antimicrobial formulas, which are designed to rebalance the gut without unnecessary restriction or risk.

If you’re ready to take a safe, stepwise approach to gut health, our Biota-Clear Protocol—built from our clinical experience and research—is an option for you and your healthcare provider to explore.

If you’re unsure where to start, our clinic team can help personalize a plan for you. Book a consultation today and get guidance tailored to your gut health needs.

The Ruscio Institute has developed a range of high-quality formulations to help our clients and audience. If you’re interested in learning more about these products, please click here. Note that there are many other options available, and we encourage you to research which products may be right for you. The information on DrRuscio.com is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.