Artemisia tridentata, more commonly referred to as sagebrush, has been documented for centuries regarding its potential medicinal uses. This plant is believed to stop internal bleeding and has a history of being used following traumatic injury or childbirth. The Artemisia tridentata plant is also believed to possess natural disinfectant properties and may be used to treat sores or other open wounds. Additional uses of this herb may include the treatment of pneumonia, rheumatism, or dandruff. Many health care professionals consider Artemisia tridentata to be toxic to humans, so a doctor should be consulted before beginning treatment with this supplement.
While Artemisia tridentata has a long history of medicinal uses, this herb is not used very often as a modern treatment method, due in part to the severity of the side effects associated with its use. Mild to moderate skin irritation is the most commonly reported side effect of this herb, although more serious complications may occasionally arise. There have been reports of liver damage and blood-clotting deficiencies after using sagebrush for medical purposes. For this reason, many health care practitioners discourage the use of this plant. As is the case with any new medication or herbal supplement, a doctor should be consulted before beginning any new treatment program.
Early Native American tribes used the Artemisia tridentata plant for a variety of medical purposes. This herb is reported to have a mild sedative effect and was often used for both internal and external purposes. Respiratory illnesses such as a cold or pneumonia were often treated with a tea made from this plant. The leaves could be used to ease the discomfort of sore eyes. Artemisia tridentata was also used to reduce a fever and to clean or disinfect cuts and sores.
The sagebrush plant was often used to treat digestive disorders and was believed to help expel worms and other parasites from the digestive tract. This herb was also believed to stop internal bleeding and was frequently given to a person who had suffered battle wounds or to a woman who had recently given birth. Artemisia tridentata was commonly used to make skin ointments or antiseptic washes in order to prevent infection. The disinfectant properties of this plant were thought to be so strong that it was also used as a floor wash or burned as an incense to kill germs in the house after there had been an illness in order to prevent others from getting sick.