Plant Comparison

Wormwood vs Selfheal

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.

First plant
Second plant
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Plant AWormwoodArtemisia absinthiumAsteraceaeFull monograph →
Plant BSelfhealPrunella vulgarisLamiaceaeFull monograph →

At a glance

Wormwood and Selfheal: they share 7 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, blood sugar / diabetes support, cancer (anticancer research), …); 5 pharmacological actions in common.

WormwoodSelfheal
Constituents32
Pharmacological actions710
Indicated uses1212
Safety notes22
Cited sources1737
Indicated uses
Only Wormwood
BloatingIndigestionMenstrual crampsMetabolic supportMuscle spasm
Shared (7)
Arthritis / joint painBlood sugar / diabetes supportCancer (anticancer research)Infection (general)Inflammation (general)Skin irritationWounds
Only Selfheal
BruisingCold & fluImmune supportCardiovascular / heart healthCognitive function
Pharmacological actions
Only Wormwood
AntispasmodicDigestive aid
Shared (5)
Anti-inflammatoryAnticancer (preclinical)Antidiabetic (blood-sugar lowering)AntimicrobialAntioxidant
Only Selfheal
AntiviralImmunomodulator / immune supportVulnerary (wound healing)Neuroprotective / cognition supportHepatoprotective (liver support)

Evidence face-off — shared uses

ConditionWormwoodSelfhealVerdict
Arthritis / joint pain1/102/10Comparable evidence
Blood sugar / diabetes support1/102/10Comparable evidence
Cancer (anticancer research)2/107/10Stronger for Selfheal
Infection (general)1/102/10Comparable evidence
Inflammation (general)1/102/10Comparable evidence
Skin irritation1/102/10Comparable evidence
Wounds1/102/10Comparable 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

Sesquiterpene lactones (absinthin, artabsin)[1, 4]

Intensely bitter sesquiterpene lactones responsible for the classic digestive-bitter action.

Sesquiterpene lactonesSesquiterpenes
Essential oil (thujone, other monoterpenes)[1]

Volatile oil containing thujone (alpha- and beta-isomers), the neurotoxic ketone that limits safe internal use, along with other monoterpenes.

Essential (volatile) oilTerpenes / terpenoids
Flavonoids and phenolic acids[3]

Antioxidant constituents contributing to the plant's antioxidant activity.

FlavonoidsPhenolic acids
Triterpenoids and phenolic acids[1, 3]

Pentacyclic triterpenoids (ursolic, oleanolic and betulinic acids), the phenolic acid rosmarinic acid, coumarins (umbelliferone, scopoletin, esculetin) and the flavonoid luteolin are the main bioactives behind self-heal's antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity.

Rosmarinic acidPhenolic acidsCoumarinsFlavonoidsLuteolin
Sulphated and polyphenol-conjugated polysaccharides[4, 29, 30, 31]

Water-extracted polysaccharides — including a partially sulphated arabinogalactomannan (PSP-2B) and polyphenolic-protein-polysaccharide conjugates (PVG/PVE30) — are the principal antiviral and immunomodulatory constituents, blocking herpes simplex virus attachment and modulating innate immune signalling.

PolysaccharidesPhenolic compounds

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory[10, 13, 14]
Anticancer (preclinical)[1, 15, 16]

Artemisia absinthium (wormwood) total flavonoids and its constituent alpha/beta-thujone induce ROS- and caspase-mediated apoptosis in cervical and choriocarcinoma cancer cells (preclinical).

Antidiabetic (blood-sugar lowering)[5, 6, 7, 13, 14]
Antimicrobial[1, 9, 13, 14]
Antioxidant[1, 3, 5, 6, 10, 13, 14]
Antispasmodic[13, 14]

Antispasmodic (cramp easing)

Digestive aid[4, 8, 13, 14]
Anti-inflammatory[1, 2, 3, 4, 12, 15, 18, 20, 26, 27, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35]
Antimicrobial[1, 3, 32, 33, 34]
Antioxidant[1, 2, 5, 9, 12, 17, 32, 33, 34]
Antiviral[2, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36]
Immunomodulator / immune support[4, 5, 9, 10, 15, 23, 26, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36]
Vulnerary (wound healing)[1, 27, 32, 33, 34]
Anticancer (preclinical)[6, 7, 10, 13, 14, 16, 21, 22, 28]
Neuroprotective / cognition support[11, 25]
Hepatoprotective (liver support)[12, 16, 17]
Antidiabetic (blood-sugar lowering)[19, 20, 24]

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain[13, 14]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1
Label: Arthritis / joint pain
Bloating[13, 14]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from digestive action

Evidence: 1
Label: Bloating
Blood sugar / diabetes support[13, 14]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antidiabetic action

Evidence: 1
Label: Blood sugar / diabetes support
Cancer (anticancer research)[1, 15, 16]Traditional · 2/10

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).

Evidence: 2
Label: Cancer (anticancer research)
Indigestion[13, 14]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from digestive action

Evidence: 1
Label: Indigestion
Infection (general)[13, 14]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 1
Label: Infection (general)
Inflammation (general)[13, 14]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1
Label: Inflammation (general)
Menstrual cramps[13, 14]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antispasmodic action

Evidence: 1
Label: Menstrual cramps
Metabolic support[13, 14]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antidiabetic action

Evidence: 1
Label: Metabolic support
Muscle spasm[13, 14]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antispasmodic action

Evidence: 1
Label: Muscle spasm
Skin irritation[13, 14]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1
Label: Skin irritation
Wounds[13, 14]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 1
Label: Wounds
Arthritis / joint pain[1, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 2
Label: Arthritis / joint pain
Bruising[1, 32, 33, 34]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from vulnerary action

Evidence: 2
Label: Bruising
Cold & flu[29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from antiviral action

Evidence: 2
Label: Cold & flu
Immune support[10, 15, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36]Traditional · 2/10
Evidence: 2
Label: Immune support
Infection (general)[1, 32, 33, 34]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 2
Label: Infection (general)
Inflammation (general)[1, 12, 15, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 2
Label: Inflammation (general)
Skin irritation[1, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 2
Label: Skin irritation
Wounds[1, 27, 32, 33, 34]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 2
Label: Wounds
Cancer (anticancer research)[6, 7, 10, 13, 14, 16, 21, 22, 28]Good · 7/10

inferred from anticancer action

Evidence: 7
Label: Cancer (anticancer research)
Blood sugar / diabetes support[19, 20, 24]Traditional · 2/10
Evidence: 2
Label: Blood sugar / diabetes support
Cardiovascular / heart health[18, 19]Traditional · 2/10
Evidence: 2
Label: Cardiovascular / heart health
Cognitive function[25]Traditional · 2/10
Evidence: 2
Label: Cognitive function

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note[13, 14]Caution

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.

Safety note[13, 14, 17]Caution

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).

Safety note[32, 33, 34]Caution

Generally very safe and well tolerated. No significant known toxicity or drug interactions. Safe for topical and internal use in normal medicinal doses. Suitable for most adults including children in appropriate doses.

Safety note[32, 33, 34, 37]Info

Duke (2002) rates self-heal as +++ and notes antioxidant (score 2), anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and COX-2 inhibitory activities. The plant contains luteolin, rosmarinic acid, and hyperoside — all with well-documented bioactivities. Hepatoprotective activity has been experimentally demonstrated. Duke notes that self-heal has a broad antimicrobial spectrum and an impressive antioxidant profile, supporting its traditional reputation as a versatile wound-healing herb. No significant safety concerns at normal herbal doses (Duke, 2002).

External Ids

Gbif: 3121319
Wikidata: Q25686
Gbif: 5341297
Wikidata: Q158469

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]

Height: 60-120 cm
Habit: Erect, silvery-grey, aromatic perennial herb
Leaves: Finely divided (2-3-pinnatisect), silky-hairy, silvery-grey
Flowers: Small, pale yellow, drooping, globe-shaped flower heads in loose branched panicles
Stem: Erect, ridged, silvery-hairy, woody at the base
Root: Woody rootstock
Fruit: Small achene without pappus
Flowering Period: July-September

Low, creeping to semi-erect perennial herb (Lamiaceae), 5-30 cm tall, with square, often purplish stems. Leaves are opposite, ovate with slightly toothed margins. Small, two-lipped, violet-purple flowers are densely packed into a compact, club-shaped terminal spike subtended by purplish bracts.[1]

Height: 5-30 cm
Habit: Low, creeping to semi-erect perennial herb
Leaves: Opposite, ovate, slightly toothed
Flowers: Small, two-lipped, violet-purple, in a compact club-shaped terminal spike
Stem: Square, often purplish
Root: Fibrous, spreading perennial rootstock
Fruit: Four small nutlets (typical Lamiaceae schizocarp)
Flowering Period: June-September

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]

Native throughout Europe, Asia and North America (circumboreal), extremely common in lawns, meadows, woodland clearings, roadsides and waste ground, tolerating mowing and a wide range of soils.[1]

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]

Parts: Flower, Leaf, Stem
Season: Mid- to late summer, at the start of flowering

Whole flowering aerial parts (flower, leaf and stem) are cut during flowering (summer) and dried.[1]

Parts: Flower, Leaf, Stem
Season: Summer, during flowering

Traditional Uses

Wormwood is one of the classic bitter digestive herbs of European tradition, used to stimulate appetite and bile flow for dyspeptic complaints, and historically as a vermifuge (its common name reflects traditional use against intestinal worms) and in the production of absinthe and vermouth.[1, 4]

Selfheal has an extremely broad folk-medicine reputation across European, North American and Traditional Chinese Medicine traditions - as its name suggests, used as an all-purpose wound herb, gargle for sore throat, and internal remedy for fevers and inflammation. Modern research on its triterpenoid, phenolic and polysaccharide constituents supports wide-ranging antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiviral activity.[1]

Preparations

Infusion[1]

Dried flowering herb infused briefly in hot water as a very bitter digestive tea, taken before meals to stimulate appetite.

Infusion (tea)[1]

Dried aerial parts steeped in hot water, taken internally or used as a gargle or wash.

Dosage

Short-term use only[13]

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.

Infusion (tea)[1]

Traditional guidance suggests roughly 2-4 g dried herb per cup as an infusion, up to three times daily, or an equivalent tincture; used topically as a wash or gargle at similar strength. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

References

REF-0728, REF-0729, REF-0730, REF-1770, REF-1771, REF-1772, REF-1773, REF-1774, REF-1775, REF-1776, REF-1777, REF-1778
REF-0659, REF-2422, REF-2423, REF-2424, REF-2425, REF-2878, REF-2879, REF-2880, REF-2881, REF-2882, REF-2883, REF-2884, REF-2885, REF-2886, REF-2887, REF-2888, REF-2911, REF-2912, REF-2913, REF-2914, REF-2915, REF-2916, REF-2917, REF-2918, REF-2919, REF-2920, REF-2921, REF-2922

Lookalikes Review

Outcome: none-known
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07
Outcome: none-known
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07

References & Sources

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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.