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Wormwood
Not only is wormwood a strong herbal antibiotic it is also a beautiful plant to have in the yard, sporting deep green foliage in the fall and frosty green in the spring. A relative to sagebrush, wormwood has become one of my favorite herbs for mystery illnesses and any type of infection.
Artemisia absinthium (more species)
Family: Asteraceae- daisy
Parts used: leaves mainly but root can also be used as a powerful medicine
Antibacterial
Antifungal
Anti-Inflammatory
Antibiotic
Antiseptic
Anthelmintic
Bitter
Carminative
Choleretic
Diaphoretic
Febrifuge
Immunomodulator
Narcotic
Smooth Muscle Relaxant
Stomachic
Energetics/Body Systems Affected
Cooling
Drying
Bitter
Liver
Stomach
Uses
Any type of infection, internal or external.
Potent medicine for malaria
Antibiotic resistant bacteria, staph, candida, salmonella, etc.
Parasite and intestinal worms.
Can kill off the harmful bacteria in the gut that causes sugar cravings and food addictions.
Fungal infections such as athletes’ foot, ringworm and thrush.
Strengthens the stomach and spleen.
Stimulates appetite, gas, vomiting, bloating.
Scabies
Detoxes the liver, jaundice.
Promotes urination, edema, urinary problems, etc.
Liver and digestive issues.
Clears toxins
Radiation protection
Colds, flu, fevers
Bites and stings
Tea (administer 1 tsp at a time up to ½ cup day-this is bitter!)
Extracts (typical dosage would be 10-30 drops 6 times a day)
Powder, capsules (1-5 capsules up to 4 times a day)
Fresh leaf can be chewed up (very bitter so be prepared).
Poultice (bites and stings, external infections, boils, sores, etc.)
Foot soak, bath (great for treating athletes’ foot and getting the properties of the herb into the body if other methods are just too bitter)
Herbal steam
Herbal oil
Salve, ointment, balm
Liniment
Enema (intestinal worms and parasites)
Mugwort is a weaker species that grows in the wild. You can purchase a plant from the nursery or get a start from a mother plant if you know of someone that has it.
Likes wild places and seems to be happy in any soil conditions, it likes full sun and well-drained soil.
Leaves can be harvested any time but are the most potent if cut before blooming. They can then be dried and stored for future use or made into a fresh plant tincture or tea.
Safety
Not for use while pregnant or nursing. Strong herb that needs to be used with prudence and as a potent medicine for acute conditions.
A Handbook of Native American Herbs
Essential Herbal Wisdom
Herbal Antibiotics by Stephen Buhner
The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook
