Wormwood Benefits: Evidence, Safe Dosage, and How to Use This Digestive Bitter
What wormwood can do, how to use it safely, who should avoid it, and how to pick a quality product. Evidence-backed, practical, and Australia-ready.
Thujone Safety: A Practical Guide
If you’ve ever heard about absinthe or herbal teas with sage, you might have come across the term thujone. It’s a natural compound that can affect your nervous system when taken in high amounts. This guide breaks down what thujone is, how much is safe, and what to watch out for.
Where Thujone Shows Up
Thujone lives in several plants – most notably wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), sage, and some species of juniper. You’ll find it in alcoholic drinks labeled “absinthe,” certain essential oils, and even a few dietary supplements marketed for digestion or mood support.
The amount of thujone varies wildly. A commercial absinthe bottle may contain anywhere from 0 to 35 mg per liter, while sage oil can have up to several hundred milligrams per gram. Because the concentration is so inconsistent, reading product labels carefully is a must.
How Much Is Too Much?
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) set a tolerable daily intake of 0.5 mg per kilogram of body weight. For a 70‑kg adult, that’s roughly 35 mg per day. The U.S. FDA doesn’t allow thujone‑containing products to exceed 10 ppm in food and drink.
Most people who stick to the recommended limits experience no problems. Issues arise when someone drinks large volumes of high‑thujone absinthe or uses concentrated essential oils without dilution. In those cases, symptoms can include dizziness, headaches, nausea, and in extreme situations, seizures.
If you’re pregnant, nursing, or have a history of epilepsy, it’s safest to avoid thujone altogether. The compound can cross the placenta and may affect fetal development.
Side Effects You Should Watch For
Even at moderate doses, some users report mild tremors or a feeling of “buzzed.” These effects are usually short‑lived and disappear once thujone clears your system (about 24 hours for most people).
Serious side effects—like severe muscle spasms, confusion, or hallucinations—are rare but have been documented in cases of overdose. If you notice any of these signs after using a thujone product, stop immediately and seek medical help.
Tips for Safe Use
Start low, go slow. Begin with the smallest dose your product recommends and see how you feel before increasing.
Dilute essential oils. Never apply undiluted thujone‑rich oil to skin or ingest it directly. Mix a few drops in carrier oil or water as instructed.
Check labels. Look for products that list exact thujone content or comply with EU/US limits. If the information is missing, treat the product cautiously.
Know your health status. Talk to a doctor if you have neurological conditions, are on medication that affects the brain, or plan to use thujone while pregnant.
By staying informed and respecting dosage guidelines, you can enjoy the flavor or aromatherapy benefits of thujone without risking your health. Remember: moderation is key, and when in doubt, choose a thujone‑free alternative.
