Plant Comparison
Wormwood vs Sea buckthorn
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 Sea buckthorn: they share 7 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, blood sugar / diabetes support, cancer (anticancer research), …); 4 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Wormwood | Sea buckthorn | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Blood sugar / diabetes support | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Cancer (anticancer research) | 2/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Inflammation (general) | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Metabolic support | 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.
Sea buckthorn berries are among the richest natural sources of vitamin C, along with beta-carotene and other carotenoids.
A distinctive fatty-acid profile, particularly rich in palmitoleic acid (omega-7), the basis of the oil's skin- and mucous-membrane-healing reputation.
Antioxidant flavonoids contributing to the plant's anti-inflammatory activity.
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 antidiabetic action
inferred from anticancer action
inferred from immunomodulator action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antidiabetic 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).
Berries and juice are safe as food. Seed oil is safe topically and orally in moderate amounts. May have mild anticoagulant effects. May lower blood pressure and blood sugar — use caution with medications. Allergic reactions are rare.
Duke (2002) rates sea buckthorn as +++ and notes antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antiulcer, and vulnerary activities at the experimental level (score 1). The berries are exceptionally rich in vitamins C (one of the highest natural sources) and E, carotenoids, flavonoids, and omega-7 fatty acids (palmitoleic acid). Duke recommends sea buckthorn as a 'food farmacy' — consumed as part of the regular diet for its nutritional-medicinal benefits. Its radioprotective properties have been studied, though without strong clinical validation. No significant safety concerns at food doses (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]
Thorny, deciduous shrub or small tree with narrow, silvery-grey, willow-like leaves. The plant is dioecious (separate male and female plants); female plants bear dense clusters of small, bright orange-yellow berries tightly packed along the branches, giving a striking display in autumn.[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]
Grows on coastal dunes, riverbanks and disturbed, nutrient-poor or sandy soils; native across temperate Europe and Asia, tolerant of harsh, exposed conditions and cold climates, notably widespread in the Himalayan and Tibetan plateau region.[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]
Berries are hand-picked (often by cutting whole fruiting branches, given the thorns and fragile fruit) in late summer to autumn once ripe; leaves are picked through the growing season, and seeds are separated from pressed fruit for seed oil.[4]
Traditional Uses
Sea buckthorn has a long Tibetan, Mongolian and traditional Chinese medicine history as a nutritive and healing tonic for respiratory, digestive and skin complaints, and the berries are exceptionally rich in vitamin C and carotenoids; the oil, from both fruit and seed, has a particular traditional and modern reputation for soothing and healing irritated or damaged skin and mucous membranes.[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
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
- Liu, L., Wen, T., Xiao, Y., Chen, H. et al (2024) 'Sea buckthorn extract mitigates chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by suppression of ferroptosis via scavenging ROS and blocking p53/MAPK pathways', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 336, pp. 118726. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2024.118726 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2024.118726 - Wen, P., Zhao, P., Qin, G., Tang, S. et al (2018) 'Genotoxicity and teratogenicity of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) berry oil', Drug and Chemical Toxicology, 43(4), pp. 391-397. doi:10.1080/01480545.2018.1497047 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/01480545.2018.1497047 - Gong, G., Guan, Y.Y., Zhang, Z.L., Rahman, K. et al (2020) 'Isorhamnetin: A review of pharmacological effects', Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 128, pp. 110301. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110301 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110301 - Suryakumar, G. and Gupta, A (2011) 'Medicinal and therapeutic potential of Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.)', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 138(2), pp. 268-278. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2011.09.024 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2011.09.024 - Pundir, S., Garg, P., Dviwedi, A., Ali, A., Kapoor, V.K., Kapoor, D., Kulshrestha, S., Lal, U.R. and Negi, P (2021) 'Ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry and dermatological effects of Hippophae rhamnoides L.: a review', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 266, pp. 113434. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2020.113434 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.113434 - Chen, Y., He, W., Cao, H., Wang, Z., Liu, J., Wang, B. and Wang, C (2024) 'Research progress of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) in prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease', Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 11, pp. 1477636. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2024.1477636 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2024.1477636 - Ganju, L., Padwad, Y., Singh, R., Karan, D., Chanda, S., Chopra, M.K., Bhatnagar, P., Kashyap, R. and Sawhney, R.C (2005) 'Anti-inflammatory activity of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) leaves', International Immunopharmacology, 5(12), pp. 1675-1684. doi:10.1016/j.intimp.2005.03.017 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2005.03.017 - Yasukawa, K., Kitanaka, S., Kawata, K. and Goto, K (2009) 'Anti-tumor promoters phenolics and triterpenoid from Hippophae rhamnoides', Fitoterapia, 80(3), pp. 164-167. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2009.01.006 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2009.01.006 - Zhu, Y., Wu, M., Li, X., Wang, Y., Li, M. and Zhou, H (2023) 'Flash extraction, characterization, and immunoenhancement activity of polysaccharide from Hippophae rhamnoides Linn', Chemistry & Biodiversity, 20(3), pp. e202200776. doi:10.1002/cbdv.202200776 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202200776 - Zuchowski, J (2023) 'Phytochemistry and pharmacology of sea buckthorn (Elaeagnus rhamnoides; syn. Hippophae rhamnoides): progress from 2010 to 2021', Phytochemistry Reviews, 22(1), pp. 3-33. doi:10.1007/s11101-022-09832-1 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-022-09832-1 - Ciesarova, Z., Murkovic, M., Cejpek, K., Kreps, F., Tobolkova, B., Koplik, R., Belajova, E., Kukurova, K., Dasko, L., Panovska, Z., Revenco, D. and Burcova, Z (2020) 'Why is sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) so exceptional? A review', Food Research International, 133, pp. 109170. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2020.109170 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2020.109170 - Ma, X., Yang, W., Kallio, H. and Yang, B (2022) 'Health promoting properties and sensory characteristics of phytochemicals in berries and leaves of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides)', Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 62(14), pp. 3798-3816. doi:10.1080/10408398.2020.1869921 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2020.1869921 - Dvorska, D., Sebova, D., Kajo, K., Kapinova, A., Svajdlenka, E., Goga, M., Frenak, R., Treml, J., Mersakova, S., Strnadel, J., Mazurakova, A., Baranova, I., Halasova, E., Brozmanova, M., Biringer, K., Kassayova, M., Dankova, Z., Smejkal, K., Hornak, S., Mojzis, J., Sadlonova, V., Brany, D., Kello, M. and Kubatka, P (2025) 'Chemopreventive and therapeutic effects of Hippophae rhamnoides L. fruit peels evaluated in preclinical models of breast carcinoma', Frontiers in Pharmacology, 16, pp. 1561436. doi:10.3389/fphar.2025.1561436 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2025.1561436 - Ling, N., Tian, H., Wang, Q., Gao, M., Xu, G., Sun, Y., Song, D., Li, W. and Ji, C (2024) 'Advance in Hippophae rhamnoides polysaccharides: extraction, structural characteristics, pharmacological activity, structure-activity relationship and application', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 270, pp. 132420. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132420 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132420 - Chodak, A (2014) 'Sea buckthorn — values and medicinal properties', 21(1), pp. 72--75. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Sea%20buckthorn%20%E2%80%94%20values%20and%20medicinal%20properties - Rousi, A (1971) 'The genus Hippophae L.: a taxonomic study', 8(3), pp. 177--227. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=The%20genus%20Hippophae%20L.%3A%20a%20taxonomic%20study - Zuñiga-López, M.C. et al (2021) 'Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) polysaccharides', 26(19). Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Sea%20buckthorn%20%28Hippophae%20rhamnoides%20L.%29%20polysaccharides - 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
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.