absinthium

ab·sin·thi·um

(ab-sin'thē-ŭm),

The dried leaves and tops of Artemisia absinthium (family Compositae). Now seldom used, the infusion formerly was used as a tonic; in large or frequently repeated doses it produces headache, trembling, and epileptiform convulsions.

Synonym(s): wormwood

[L., fr. G. apsinthion]

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

A perennial shrub that contains absinthum—a bitter principle—carotene, tannins, vitamin C, and volatile oils,—e.g., thujone and chamazulene; wormwood was once used as an anthelmintic, emmenagogue, an appetite stimulant, and to increased gastric and bile secretion
Toxicity Convulsions, impotence, muscular weakness, nausea, vomiting, and possibly death; per the FDA, wormwood is ‘unsafe’

Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.