Omnia SanaPlant Comparison
Wormwood vs Coriander
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Wormwood and Coriander: they share 10 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, bloating, indigestion, …); 5 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Wormwood | Coriander | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Bloating | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Indigestion | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Infection (general) | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Inflammation (general) | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Menstrual cramps | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Metabolic support | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Muscle spasm | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Skin irritation | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Wounds | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
Intensely bitter sesquiterpene lactones responsible for the classic digestive-bitter action.
Volatile oil containing thujone (alpha- and beta-isomers), the neurotoxic ketone that limits safe internal use, along with other monoterpenes.
Antioxidant constituents contributing to the plant's antioxidant activity.
Seed essential oil dominated by linalool, giving the characteristic aroma and much of the antimicrobial and carminative activity.
Antioxidant flavonoids and phenolics, notably quercetin derivatives, identified across leaf and seed extracts.
Pharmacological Actions
Artemisia absinthium (wormwood) total flavonoids and its constituent alpha/beta-thujone induce ROS- and caspase-mediated apoptosis in cervical and choriocarcinoma cancer cells (preclinical).
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antidiabetic action
Artemisia absinthium (wormwood) total flavonoids (cynaroside, astragalin) inhibit HeLa cervical cancer cells via ROS-mediated apoptosis, and its terpenoid alpha,beta-thujone induces caspase-dependent apoptosis in choriocarcinoma cells and sensitizes them to paclitaxel (preclinical).
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from antidiabetic action
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from digestive action
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
CAUTION: Contains thujone, which is neurotoxic in significant amounts. Internal use should be limited in duration and dose — short-term use only (under 4 weeks). Contraindicated in pregnancy (powerful uterine stimulant). Avoid in epilepsy, renal disease, and in children. The small amounts present in properly prepared bitter tinctures and vermouth are generally considered safe. The thujone content of absinthe was historically exaggerated.
Duke (2002) rates wormwood as + (use with caution) and provides clinical evidence (score 2) for use as an aperitif and bitter digestive tonic, consistent with Commission E approval for dyspeptic complaints and loss of appetite. The plant contains absinthin and artabsin (bitter sesquiterpene lactones) responsible for digestive stimulation, and also thujone — a neurotoxic ketone that is the active agent responsible for 'absinthism' (historical neurological syndrome linked to absinthe consumption). Duke strongly cautions that thujone content limits safe long-term use, and wormwood should not be taken internally for more than 4 weeks at a time. Strictly contraindicated in pregnancy (abortifacient, neurotoxic) and epilepsy (Duke, 2002).
• Food use is generally safe for most people (leaf in salads, seed as spice) (Burdock & Carabin, 2009). • Allergy is the main “big warning.” Coriander can trigger reactions ranging from mild oral itching to more serious allergy in sensitive people, especially those with pollen allergies (e.g., birch/mugwort) or other Apiaceae spice allergies (Thermo Fisher/Phadia, n.d.; Berghea et al., 2025). • If you use supplements (capsules/powder) and you take diabetes medication, be cautious: coriander seed powder has shown blood-sugar improvements in a small human trial, so it may add to the effect of glucose-lowering meds (Zamany et al., 2025). • Essential oil is not the same as the spice. Coriander essential oil is highly concentrated and should not be taken internally in “DIY doses.” It can be irritating, and safety data are discussed mainly for food-flavouring levels—not self-prescribed medicinal dosing (Burdock & Carabin, 2009). • Pregnancy / breastfeeding: normal culinary amounts are generally considered fine; “medicinal-dose” supplements or essential oil are best avoided unless guided by a qualified professional because safety data at higher doses is limited (Burdock & Carabin, 2009).
Duke (2002) provides clinical evidence (score 2) for coriander's role as an aperitif (appetite stimulant) and digestive tonic, consistent with Commission E approval. It demonstrates antispasmodic, carminative, and antifungal activities at the experimental level. Dose: 1–3 g crushed fruits (seeds) three times daily, or equivalent preparations. Duke notes mild hypoglycemic activity and a potential antiimplantation effect in high doses — use with caution in women attempting pregnancy (Duke, 2002).
External Ids
Botanical Description
Aromatic, silvery-grey perennial herb with finely divided, silky-hairy leaves and numerous small, pale yellow, drooping, globe-shaped flower heads borne in loose branched panicles. The whole plant has a characteristic intensely bitter taste and a pungent, sage-like aroma.[4]
Slender annual herb with delicate, broad, lobed lower leaves and finely divided, feathery upper leaves - a marked contrast within the same plant. Small white or pale pink flowers are borne in flat compound umbels, followed by round, ridged, aromatic seeds. The fresh leaf ('cilantro') has a distinctive citrusy aroma, often described as soapy by those with a genetic sensitivity to it.[4]
Habitat
Grows on dry, sunny, stony or waste ground, roadsides and field margins; native to Europe, North Africa and temperate Asia, and naturalised in North America.[4]
Believed native to the Mediterranean region and Western Asia; cultivated worldwide as a culinary herb and spice crop on well-drained, sunny sites.[4]
Harvesting
The flowering aerial parts (leaf, stem and flower) are cut as flowering begins, in mid- to late summer, and dried in a warm, shaded, airy place.[4]
Leaves are picked fresh through the growing season, before the plant bolts (flowers), when the flavour is best; the seed is harvested in late summer once the umbels have browned and dried, then threshed; the root can be dug at the same time as young leaves.
Traditional Uses
Coriander seed and leaf have a very long culinary and medicinal history across the Mediterranean, Middle East and Asia as a digestive carminative for indigestion, bloating and cramping, and, more recently, studied for calming/anxiolytic effects on the central nervous system alongside cardiovascular and metabolic benefits.[1, 4]
Preparations
Dosage
Because of its thujone content, traditional herbal references limit internal use to small bitter doses (around 0.5-1 g dried herb per cup) for no more than about 4 weeks at a time. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Not documented
References
Lookalikes Review
Dangerous Lookalikes
Not documented
References & Sources
- Batiha, G.E.S., Olatunde, A., El-Mleeh, A., Hetta, H.F., Al-Rejaie, S. et al (2020) 'Bioactive Compounds, Pharmacological Actions, and Pharmacokinetics of Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)', Antibiotics (Basel), 9(6), pp. 353. doi:10.3390/antibiotics9060353 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics9060353 - Wubuli, A., Abdulla, R., Zhao, J., Wu, T. and Aisa, H.A (2024) 'Exploring anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-related quality markers of Artemisia absinthium L. based on spectrum-effect relationship', Phytochemical Analysis, 35(5), pp. 1152-1173. doi:10.1002/pca.3350 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/pca.3350 - Rashidi, R., Akaberi, M., Gholoobi, A., Ghazavi, H. and Forouzanfar, F (2023) 'Artemisia absinthium Extract Attenuates the Quinolinic Acid-Induced Cell Injury in OLN-93 Cells', Current Drug Discovery Technologies, 20(4), pp. e300323215213. doi:10.2174/1570163820666230330105331 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2174/1570163820666230330105331 - Szopa, A., Pajor, J., Klin, P., Rzepiela, A., Elansary, H.O., Al-Mana, F.A., Mattar, M.A. and Ekiert, H (2020) 'Artemisia absinthium L. - Importance in the History of Medicine, the Latest Advances in Phytochemistry and Therapeutical, Cosmetological and Culinary Uses', Plants, 9(9), pp. 1063. doi:10.3390/plants9091063 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9091063 - Hbika, A., Daoudi, N.E., Bouyanzer, A., Bouhrim, M., Mohti, H., Loukili, E.H., Mechchate, H., Al-Salahi, R., Nasr, F.A., Bnouham, M. and Zaid, A (2022) 'Artemisia absinthium L. Aqueous and Ethyl Acetate Extracts: Antioxidant Effect and Potential Activity In Vitro and In Vivo against Pancreatic alpha-Amylase and Intestinal alpha-Glucosidase', Pharmaceutics, 14(3), pp. 481. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics14030481 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14030481 - Bagheri, F., Amri, J., Salehi, M., Karami, H., Alimoradian, A. and Latifi, S.A (2020) 'Effect of Artemisia absinthium ethanolic extract on oxidative stress markers and the TLR4, S100A4, Bax and Bcl-2 genes expression in the kidney of STZ-induced diabetic rats', Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation, 41(4), pp. 20200028. doi:10.1515/hmbci-2020-0028 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1515/hmbci-2020-0028 - Al-Malki, A.L (2018) 'Shikimic acid from Artemisia absinthium inhibits protein glycation in diabetic rats', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 122, pp. 1212-1216. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.09.072 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.09.072 - Boeing, T., de Souza, J., Vilhena da Silva, R.C., Mariano, L.N.B., Mota da Silva, L., Gerhardt, G.M., Cretton, S., Klein-Junior, L.C. and de Souza, P (2023) 'Gastroprotective effect of Artemisia absinthium L.: A medicinal plant used in the treatment of digestive disorders', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 312, pp. 116488. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2023.116488 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2023.116488 - Liu, Z., Li, X., Jin, Y., Nan, T., Zhao, Y., Huang, L. and Yuan, Y (2023) 'New Evidence for Artemisia absinthium as an Alternative to Classical Antibiotics: Chemical Analysis of Phenolic Compounds, Screening for Antimicrobial Activity', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(15), pp. 12044. doi:10.3390/ijms241512044 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241512044 - Moaca, E., Pavel, I.Z., Danciu, C., Crainiceanu, Z., Minda, D., Ardelean, F., Antal, D.S., Ghiulai, R., Cioca, A., Derban, M., Simu, S., Chioibas, R., Szuhanek, C. and Dehelean, C (2019) 'Romanian Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.): Physicochemical and Nutraceutical Screening', Molecules, 24(17), pp. 3087. doi:10.3390/molecules24173087 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24173087 - Turak, A., Shi, S., Jiang, Y. and Tu, P (2014) 'Dimeric guaianolides from Artemisia absinthium', Phytochemistry, 105, pp. 109-114. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2014.06.016 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2014.06.016 - Correa-Ferreira, M.L., Noleto, G.R. and Oliveira Petkowicz, C.L (2013) 'Artemisia absinthium and Artemisia vulgaris: a comparative study of infusion polysaccharides', Carbohydrate Polymers, 102, pp. 738-745. doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2013.10.096 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2013.10.096 - Grieve, M (1931) 'A Modern Herbal'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=A%20Modern%20Herbal - Hoffmann, D (2003) 'Medical Herbalism'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Medical%20Herbalism - Lee, J.-Y. and Park, H. and Lim, W. and Song, G (2020) 'alpha,beta-Thujone suppresses human placental choriocarcinoma cells via metabolic disruption', Reproduction, 159(6), pp. 745-756. doi:10.1530/REP-20-0018 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1530/REP-20-0018 - He, M. and Yasin, K. and Yu, S. and Li, J. and Xia, L (2023) 'Total Flavonoids in Artemisia absinthium L. and Evaluation of Its Anticancer Activity', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(22), pp. 16348. doi:10.3390/ijms242216348 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242216348 - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition
- Santibáñez, A., Jiménez-Ferrer, E., Angulo-Bejarano, P.I., Sharma, A. and Herrera-Ruiz, M (2023) 'Coriandrum sativum and Its Utility in Psychiatric Disorders', Molecules, 28(14), pp. 5314. doi:10.3390/molecules28145314 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28145314 - Wei, J.N., Liu, Z.H., Zhao, Y.P., Zhao, L.L. et al (2019) 'Phytochemical and bioactive profile of Coriandrum sativum L', Food Chemistry, 286, pp. 260-267. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.01.171 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.01.171 - Hosseini, M., Boskabady, M.H. and Khazdair, M.R (2021) 'Neuroprotective effects of Coriandrum sativum and its constituent, linalool: A review', Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine, 11(5), pp. 436-450. doi:10.22038/AJP.2021.55681.2786 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.22038/AJP.2021.55681.2786 - Mahleyuddin, N.N., Moshawih, S., Ming, L.C., Zulkifly, H.H., Kifli, N. and Loy, M.J (2021) 'Coriandrum sativum L.: A Review on Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, and Cardiovascular Benefits', Molecules, 27(1), pp. 209. doi:10.3390/molecules27010209 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27010209 - Prachayasittikul, V., Prachayasittikul, S., Ruchirawat, S. and Prachayasittikul, V (2017) 'Coriander (Coriandrum sativum): A promising functional food toward the well-being', Food Research International, 105, pp. 305-323. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2017.11.019 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2017.11.019 - Laribi, B., Kouki, K., M'Hamdi, M. and Bettaieb, T (2015) 'Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) and its bioactive constituents', Fitoterapia, 103, pp. 9-26. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2015.03.012 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2015.03.012 - Sahib, N.G., Anwar, F., Gilani, A.H., Hamid, A.A., Saari, N. and Alkharfy, K.M (2012) 'Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.): a potential source of high-value components for functional foods and nutraceuticals - a review', Phytotherapy Research, 27(10), pp. 1439-1456. doi:10.1002/ptr.4897 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.4897 - Scandar, S., Zadra, C. and Marcotullio, M.C (2023) 'Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) Polyphenols and Their Nutraceutical Value against Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome', Molecules, 28(10), pp. 4187. doi:10.3390/molecules28104187 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28104187 - Al-Khayri, J.M., Banadka, A., Nandhini, M., Nagella, P., Al-Mssallem, M.Q. and Alessa, F.M (2023) 'Coriandrum sativum Essential Oil: A review on Its Phytochemistry and Biological Activity', Molecules, 28(2), pp. 696. doi:10.3390/molecules28020696 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28020696 - Kukner, A., Soyler, G., Toros, P., Dede, G., Mericli, F. and Isik, S (2020) 'Protective effect of Coriandrum sativum extract against inflammation and apoptosis in liver ischaemia/reperfusion injury', Folia Morphologica, 80(2), pp. 363-371. doi:10.5603/FM.a2020.0060 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.5603/FM.a2020.0060 - Liu, Q.F., Jeong, H., Lee, J.H., Hong, Y.K., Oh, Y. and Kim, Y.M (2016) 'Coriandrum sativum Suppresses Abeta42-Induced ROS Increases, Glial Cell Proliferation, and ERK Activation', American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 44(7), pp. 1325-1347. doi:10.1142/S0192415X16500749 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1142/S0192415X16500749 - Koppula, S., Alluri, R. and Kopalli, S.R (2021) 'Coriandrum sativum attenuates microglia mediated neuroinflammation and MPTP-induced behavioral and oxidative changes in Parkinson's disease mouse model', EXCLI Journal, 20, pp. 835-850. doi:10.17179/excli2021-3668 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2021-3668 - Laribi, B., Kouki, K., M'Hamdi, M. and Bettaieb, T (2015) 'Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) and its bioactive constituents', pp. 9--26. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Coriander%20%28Coriandrum%20sativum%20L.%29%20and%20its%20bioactive%20constituents - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org - World Health Organization (1999) 'WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=WHO%20Monographs%20on%20Selected%20Medicinal%20Plants - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Dayan, A.D (2024) 'Death of Socrates: a likely case of poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) poisoning', Clinical Toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.), 62(1), pp. 56-60. doi:10.1080/15563650.2024.2309328 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2024.2309328 - King County Noxious Weeds (2024) 'Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) identification and control'. Available at: https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/environment-ecology-conservation/noxious-weeds/identification-control/poison-hemlock Traditional / reference
https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/environment-ecology-conservation/noxious-weeds/identification-control/poison-hemlock - Grow Forage Cook Ferment 'Poison Hemlock: How to Identify and Potential Look-alikes'. Available at: https://www.growforagecookferment.com/poison-hemlock/ Traditional / reference
https://www.growforagecookferment.com/poison-hemlock/ - Teuscher, E. and Greger, H. and Adrian, V (1990) 'Toxicity of Aethusa cynapium L. (fool's parsley)', Pharmazie, 45(7), pp. 537-8. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2236201/ Preclinical
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2236201/ - Minnesota Wildflowers (2024) 'Aethusa cynapium (Fool's Parsley)'. Available at: https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/fools-parsley Traditional / reference
https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/fools-parsley - Botanical Society of Scotland (2023) 'Plant of the Week: Fool's Parsley (Aethusa cynapium)'. Available at: https://botsoc.scot/2023/08/20/plant-of-the-week-21st-august-2023-fools-parsley-aethusa-cynapium/ Traditional / reference
https://botsoc.scot/2023/08/20/plant-of-the-week-21st-august-2023-fools-parsley-aethusa-cynapium/
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.