> Just wondering-and why exactly isn't it to be used in pregnancy?
Wormwood is toxic herb.
Most women prefer to take less toxic herbs, while pregnant or breast feeding.
But, considering it's positiv efects, taking 1/5 of standard dosage is what I would call safe.
The plant is poisonous if used in large quantities. Even small quantities have been known to cause nervous disorders, convulsions, insomnia for very sensitive people.
The plant contains thujone. In small quantities this acts as a brain stimulant but is toxic in excess.
Most
parasite cleanse formula contain "toxic" herbs, and should not be use as much while pregnant or while breast-feeding as usually.
"Toxic" is of course relative to amount consumed and to individual sensitivity.
You can take 1/5 of standard dosage of Hulda Clak's
parasite killing herbs to be on the safe side.
And, if you feel any side efect, discontinue.
Read more about
Wormwood :
http://drclarkia.com/wormwood.asp
Medicinal Uses:
Anthelmintic =Vermifuge = expelling or destroying parasitic worms especially of the intestine
Antiseptic = preventing or arresting the growth of microorganisms
Antispasmodic = capable of preventing or relieving spasms or convulsions
Carminative = expelling gas from the alimentary canal so as to relieve colic or griping
Cholagogue = Promoting the discharge of bile from the liver and gallbladder
Emmenagogue = induces or hastens menstrual flow
Febrifuge = agent that reduces fever; an antipyretic
Hypnotic= Inducing or tending to induce sleep
Stimulant= An agent, especially a chemical agent, that temporarily arouses or accelerates physiological or organic activity.
Stomachic= Beneficial to or stimulating digestion in the stomach.
Tonic= An invigorating, refreshing, or restorative agent
Vermifuge = Anthelmintic
Wormwood is a very bitter plant with a long history of use as a medicinal herb. It is valued especially for its tonic effect on the liver, gallbladder and digestive system, and for its vermicidal activity[4, 238, 254]. It is an extremely useful medicine for those with weak and underactive digestion. It increases stomach acid and bile production, improving digestion and the absorption of nutrients[254]. It also eases wind and bloating and, if taken regularly, helps the body return to full vitality after a prolonged illness[254].
The leaves and flowering shoots are anthelmintic, antiinflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitumor, carminative, cholagogue, emmenagogue, febrifuge, hypnotic, stimulant, stomachic, tonic and vermifuge[4, 9, 21, 46, 165, 222, 254]. The plant is harvested as it is coming into flower and then dried for later use[4]. Use with caution[21], the plant should be taken internally in small doses for short-term treatment only, preferably under the supervision of a qualified practitioner[238]. It should not be prescribed for children or pregnant women[238]. See also the notes above on toxicity.
The extremely bitter leaves are chewed to stimulate the appetite[222]. The bitter taste on the tongue sets off a reflex action, stimulating stomach and other digestive secretions[254]. The leaves have been used with some success in the treatment of anorexia nervosa[244].
The plant is applied externally to bruises and bites[238]. A warm compress has been used to ease sprains and strained muscles[257].
A homeopathic remedy is made from the leaves[9]. It is used to stimulate bile and gastric juice production and to treat disorders of the liver and gall bladder[9].
As its name implies,
Wormwood has been used to expel worms from people and animals. However, Caius and Mhasker (1920) did not find oil of
Wormwood to be an effective antihelmintic when tested against the hookworm. Whatever antiparasitic properties wormwood has may be partially due to its -santonin content (Perez-Souto et al 1992), which is recognized as a medicine for parasitic diseases. Of course, wormwood's measurable toxicity prevents modern herbalists from recommending it.
Wormwood contains unidentified antimalarial substance(s). Alcoholic extracts of the dried leaves have 'considerable antimalarial potential' when administered orally, subcutaneously, or intraperitoneally to mice (Zafar, Hamdard, & Hameed 1990).
Wormwood leaves are used traditionally in Pakistan as an antipyretic (anti-fever) and an active antipyretic compound has been isolated from the dried leaves. This compound alleviates yeast-induced pyrexia in rabbits (Ikramet al 1987).
Dilute (1:1000) oil of wormwood has some antimicrobial activity. Kaul, Nigam and Dhar (1976) found that the dilute oil inhibited the growth of 4 (out of 7) different types of bacteria.
Wormwood is also hepatoprotective (liver protecting). Gilani and Janbaz (1995) found that an aqueous-methanolic extract of Artemisia absinthium protected against acetaminophen and CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. This protection seems to be at least partially due to inhibition of microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes (MDME), since the plant extract prolonged the sleep-inducing effects of pentobarbital in mice. Gilani and Janbaz speculate that this putative MDME inhibition may be due to sesartemin, which has the methylene-dioxybenzene group common to MDME inhibitors. The presence of antioxidants and calcium-channel blockers in wormwood (Gilani 1994) also probably contribute to its hepatoprotective effects.
Known Hazards: The plant is poisonous if used in large quantities. Even small quantities have been known to cause nervous disorders, convulsions, insomnia etc.