Botanical name: Artemisia absinthium
 
Wormwood is an aromatic herbaceous perennial that grows from 80 cm to 1.2 m. Rarely, the tall, branched stems reach 1.5 meters. Stems extend from evergreen roots and can be quite woody at the base. - silvery hue, due to the coverage of many small hairs. The leaves are up to 8 cm by 3 cm, divided into segments and arranged in a spiral around the fluted stem. The deeply serrated leaves are grayish green on top and white on the underside. The overall appearance is usually gray or silver plant toned. The flowers are small, globular and greenish-yellow in color. Pendant flowers are held on an upright leafy panicle and bloom. in the summer.
 
There are several species of wormwood with slightly different characteristics. While there is a strong history of using wormwood for many different purposes, many people grow it today for its ornamental attributes.
 
Wormwood is known to have a very bitter taste, second only to rue, which inspired the Ancients to use a saying "as bitter as wormwood". In traditional folklore, wormwood was seen as an ancient love charm when combined with calendula, thyme and marjoram. The Ancients also said that wormwood counteracted the effects of hemlock and mushroom poisoning, as well as the 'sea dragon's bite'. Wormwood is a highly prized herb for ritualistic practices and historically was seen as powerful in warding off demons. Both wormwood and mugwort had many similar uses, but only wormwood has a strong essential oil.
 
The name Artemisia comes from ancient Greek, used in Hellenistic cultures, where the goddess Artemis was the goddess of the hunt, protector of the forest and children. The term wormwood comes from the Middle English worm or wermode, which has been attributed to the anthelmintic attributes of the plants. The species name 'wormwood' is believed to be derived from 'wormwood', an approximation of the ancient Greek word for wormwood. There is also a common explanation that the word 'absinthe' means 'inedible', a reference to the bitter taste. However, this term may have been borrowed from Persia as a link to the name of another bitter herb called Syrian rue, which is unrelated to the common rue plant.
 
The native habitat of Artemisia absinthium is generally dry to temperate regions of the world with poor soil quality. It is found in much of Europe and Siberia, so extreme cold is not a deterrent. In Great Britain, Wormwood is considered truly indigenous. Wormwood has become naturalized in the United States and Canada, but it is so bitter that it is cultivated in many regions of the world for its many useful attributes.
 
growing conditions
Wormwood is often found in uncultivated or wasteland and near trails or roads. It prefers rocky slopes and arid terrain in nature, so dry gardens are ideal for wormwood. This plant does well in poor soil, but prefers nitrogen-rich soil whenever possible. Wormwood is good for dry areas, but summer water will be welcome. There's a good chance it will work well in shady spots and in sunny spots, as both are recommended by gardeners.
 
Medicinal Uses
The medicinal use of absinthe dates back to Ancient Egypt and absinthe-flavored wine dates back to Ancient Greece. Egyptian papyrus scrolls show that, as early as 1552, wormwood was used as a tonic and for various ailments such as rheumatism. It dates back to the 18th century when a specific recipe was patented and sold as a medicinal elixir. The chemical constituents of A. absinthium include thujone, azeulenes which are anti-inflammatory and sesquiterpene lactones.
 
As with many herbs, there were a wide variety of traditional medicinal applications for wormwood. However, it was well known for its treatment and prevention of intestinal worm infestations. Another popular use was the onset of late menstrual cycles, which indicates restrictions on use for pregnant and nursing women. Similar uses have been noted for mugwort and there is a similar contradiction is the use of these plants to ease the pain of women in labour.
 
culinary uses
Wormwood (A. absinthium) is widely cultivated and is known for its use in various alcoholic beverages, most notably vermouth and absinthe. In vermouth, wormwood flowers were one of several traditional ingredients mixed with strong alcohol. The name vermouth is taken from the German 'wermut' for wormwood.
 
The drink Absinthe has a controversial history due to the ban placed on the drink (the use of absinthe in beverages) in many countries in the early 20th century. The ban was due to the perceived hallucinatory effects of the chemical thujone, contained in the wormwood plant. This was later proven to be incorrect and could have been due to interactions of other ingredients. It should also be remembered that the alcohol content of absinthe was usually much higher than that of regular alcoholic beverages.
 
The drink was featured in the movie Moulin Rouge and has become popular again, but the production process and quality can be variable. While the ban on absinthe use has been relaxed in many regions, the traditional process is more time-consuming and expensive. countries in Europe still make absinthe the traditional way, but most brands rely on artificial essences and colors added to strong alcohol. The traditional green color of wormwood is from chlorophyll obtained using fresh wormwood plants.
 
Other uses
Wormwood is known to be a good insecticide and insect repellent due to the presence of thujone and sesquiterpene lactones. To use wormwood as a personal insect repellent, mash a small amount of the leaves until damp and mix with a small amount of apple cider vinegar. Place this mixture in a small cloth (or cloth bag) and tie the corners. Use the damp cloth to rub the mixture on your arms and legs as needed when you are outdoors.
 
Alternatively, to make a Mothproof Sachet of Wormwood, mix one serving each of dry wormwood, mint, tansy and thyme with four cinnamon sticks. Place in a small cloth bag and hang or store wherever moths are a problem.
 
All information provided on this website is for informational purposes only. Consult a professional before starting any treatment.