Southernwood

The Southernwood, also known as Stabwurz, Gartenraute or Artemisia abrotanum, belongs to the daisy family (Asteraceae) and originally comes from the Mediterranean region. As early as antiquity, it was prized for its characteristic aroma and its reputed medicinal compounds. The bushy plant with its finely divided, silver-gray leaves gives off an intense, camphor-like scent and was traditionally cultivated in monastery gardens – both as a medicinal and as a culinary herb. Today, Southernwood is used in folk medicine, aromatherapy, and as a component of herbal preparations.

What benefits does Southernwood offer?

Southernwood has numerous traditional uses, which are attributed to its bitter-aromatic constituents:

  • Antibacterial and antifungal effects: Various studies suggest that an extract of the plant can be used effectively against various bacterial pathogens and even against fungi (1,2,3,4)
  • Antioxidant effect: The results of various investigations suggest that Southernwood extract has antioxidant effects (1,5,6).
  • Antitumor effects: Studies have shown that extracts of the plant could also be used in combating tumor diseases (1,7,8)
  • Anti-inflammatory: In studies, Southernwood possessed anti-inflammatory properties that could potentially be used externally and internally (9).
  • Digestive support: According to naturopathy, the plant's bitter compounds stimulate the production of gastric and bile juices, which is said to be helpful for feelings of fullness, flatulence, and loss of appetite.
  • Worm-expelling (anthelmintic): In traditional healing, Southernwood was used to combat intestinal parasites.
  • Menstruation-promoting: In folk medicine, Southernwood was used to stimulate menstruation and relieve menstrual pain.

How does Southernwood work?

The medicinal effects of Artemisia abrotanum can be traced back to a wide variety of active compounds. These include, among others, essential oils (e.g., cineole, thujone), bitter compounds, flavonoids, and tannins (1).

Side effects and risks

Despite its reputed effects and its frequent use in traditional medicine, caution is advised when handling Southernwood:

  • Neurotoxicity: Its thujone content can lead to problems in the event of overdose.
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Due to a possible abortifacient effect and because use in pregnant or breastfeeding women has not been sufficiently researched, Southernwood should not be used during these phases.
  • Allergic reactions: As with other members of the daisy family, cross-reactions are possible.

Safer forms of use are ready-made preparations or low-dose tea preparations – But even these should be consumed only after consultation with medical professionals.

Conclusion

Artemisia abrotanum, the Southernwood, is an ancient medicinal plant with a strong aromatic character and a wide range of traditional applications. It was traditionally valued especially for digestive complaints and for generally strengthening the organism. Due to its potentially toxic constituents, however, it should be used with care and only in properly processed forms. Moreover, far more research is necessary before definitive conclusions about the plant's effects can be drawn

Sources:

  1. Ekiert, H., Knut, E., Świątkowska, J., Klin, P., Rzepiela, A., Tomczyk, M., & Szopa, A. (2021). Artemisia abrotanum L. (Southern Wormwood)-History, Current Knowledge on the Chemistry, Biological Activity, Traditional Use and Possible New Pharmaceutical and Cosmetological Applications. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 26(9), 2503. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26092503
  2. Suresh J., Vasavi Reddy A., Rajan D., Ihsanullah M., Nayeemmullah Khan M. Antimicrobial activity of Artemisia abrotanum and Artemisia pallens. Int. J. Pharmacogn. Phytochem. Res. 2011;3:18–21.
  3. Obistioiu D., Cristina R.T., Schmerold I., Chizzola R., Stolze K., Nichita I., Chiurciu V. Chemical characterization by GC-MS and in vitro activity against Candida albicans of volatile fractions prepared from Artemisia dracunculus, Artemisia abrotanum, Artemisia absinthium and Artemisia vulgaris. Chem. Cent. J. 2014;8:6. doi: 10.1186/1752-153X-8-6.
  4. Elansary H.O., Szopa A., Kubica P., Ekiert H., El-Ansary D.O., Al-Mana F.A., Mahmoud E.A. Polyphenol content and biological activities of Ruta graveolens L. and Artemisia abrotanum L. in Northern Saudi Arabia. Processes. 2020;8:531. doi: 10.3390/pr8050531.
  5. Saunoriūtė, S., Ragažinskienė, O., Ivanauskas, L., Marksa, M., Laužikė, K., & Raudonė, L. (2023). Phenolic Diversity and Antioxidant Activity of Artemisia abrotanum L. and Artemisia absinthium L. during Vegetation Stages. Separations, 10(10), 545. https://doi.org/10.3390/separations10100545
  6. Elansary H.O., Szopa A., Kubica P., Ekiert H., El-Ansary D.O., Al-Mana F.A., Mahmoud E.A. Polyphenol content and biological activities of Ruta graveolens L. and Artemisia abrotanum L. in Northern Saudi Arabia. Processes. 2020;8:531. doi: 10.3390/pr8050531.
  7. Almahdawy S.S., Said A.M., Abbas I.S., Dawood A.H. The evaluation of antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity of the essential oil extracted from the aerial parts of southernwood herb (Artemisia abrotanum L.) that recently grown in Iraq. Asian J. Pharm. Clin. Res. 2017;10:384–387. doi: 10.22159/ajpcr.2017.v10i10.21725.
  8. Elansary H.O., Szopa A., Kubica P., Ekiert H., El-Ansary D.O., Al-Mana F.A., Mahmoud E.A. Polyphenol content and biological activities of Ruta graveolens L. and Artemisia abrotanum L. in Northern Saudi Arabia. Processes. 2020;8:531. doi: 10.3390/pr8050531.
  9. Țicolea, M., Pop, R. M., Pârvu, M., Usatiuc, L.-O., Uifălean, A., Ranga, F., & Pârvu, A. E. (2024). Phytochemical Composition Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Artemisia dracunculus and Artemisia abrotanum. Antioxidants, 13(8), 1016. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13081016