Wormwood

Latin Name: Artemisia absinthium
Synonyms: Artemisia absinthium var. insipida, Absinthium vulgare, Artemisia baldaccii, Artemisia inodora, Artemisia kulbadica, Artemisia rehan, Artemisia rhaetica
Common Name: Wormwood, common wormwood, absinthe, green ginger
Family: Asteraceae
Native To: Europe, Asia, and North Africa

Botanical Description:
Wormwood is an herbaceous, perennial plant with a distinct and bitter taste. It grows up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall, with multibranched stems that are woody at the base. Its leaves are alternate, ranging from 1-4 inches (2.5-10.2 cm) long, grayish-green in color, and covered with silky hairs. The leaves have blunt lobes and an acrid smell when crushed. Tiny, pale yellow tubular flowers appear in late summer, forming loose panicles in the leaf axils. Wormwood grows in dry, disturbed places such as roadsides and poor soils, and can produce up to 50,000 seeds per stem, which are dispersed by wind or animals.

Parts Used:
The aerial parts of the plant, including the leaves and flowering tops, are primarily used in herbal medicine.

Key Constituents:

• Sesquiterpene lactones (absinthin and artabsin): 0.15-0.4%.
• Essential oils (α-thujone, β-thujone, chamazulene, etc.): 0.2-1.5%.
• Flavonol glycosides, phenolic acids, tannins, and homoditerpene peroxides.

Traditional Benefits:
Wormwood has a long history of use in medicine, dating back to ancient Egypt and even appearing in the Ebers Papyrus. Its main traditional uses include treating digestive issues, nausea, flatulence, and even as an antidote for poisoning. Its bitter flavor has made it a common ingredient in tonics and aperitifs, where it helps stimulate the digestive system. The herb was once thought to be a remedy for intestinal worms, which is likely the origin of the name “wormwood.”

Historically, wormwood has played a significant role in spiritual and medicinal traditions. It was used in ancient cultures, including by the Greeks and Romans, for a variety of ailments. In the Middle Ages, monasteries grew wormwood for its medicinal properties, and Saint Hildegard von Bingen praised it for its ability to stimulate digestion and alleviate melancholy. The herb was also considered a protective plant against evil and disease in folklore and rituals.

Modern Uses:
In contemporary herbalism, wormwood is primarily used as a digestive aid. It stimulates bile production and digestive juices, supporting the body’s natural detoxification processes. It is often used to treat indigestion, bloating, and reduced appetite. Research has also shown wormwood to have potential in addressing inflammatory digestive disorders, including Crohn’s disease.

Wormwood is also an important herb in the production of the famous liqueur absinthe, a drink that gained notoriety in the 19th century for its supposed hallucinogenic properties, largely attributed to the thujone found in the plant. Despite absinthe’s negative reputation due to health concerns, modern research suggests that the thujone levels in absinthe were too low to cause the health issues historically associated with the drink.

The herb is also used in pest control, acting as a natural insect repellent and deterrent for rodents. It was traditionally hung in granaries to prevent rats from damaging stored grain.

Geographic Distribution:
Wormwood is native to temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. It has since been widely naturalized, including in the northern United States and Canada. The plant thrives in areas with temperate climates and is commercially cultivated in countries such as the former USSR, the Balkans, Hungary, and Poland.

Sustainability Issues:
While wormwood is not endangered globally, it is considered an invasive species in some regions, particularly in the United States, where it can outcompete native plants in disturbed areas. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists it as “Vulnerable” in the Netherlands and “Near Threatened” in Luxembourg, highlighting the potential environmental concerns associated with its spread.

Harvesting Guidelines:
Wormwood can be harvested twice a year. The best time for harvesting depends on the desired use. The peak of bitter compounds occurs around September when the plant is in full bloom, while essential oils peak in June and July. Harvesting should be done carefully, as the leaves deteriorate in quality once blooming begins. The herb can be harvested by cutting the plant at the base or by collecting the leaves in spring and the flowering branches in summer. Drying the herb should be done at room temperature to preserve its delicate essential oils.

Safety and Side Effects:
Wormwood is considered relatively safe when used in moderate doses for short durations. However, excessive consumption of wormwood can lead to toxicity, especially due to the thujone content. Thujone can cause seizures and excitation when consumed in high amounts. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommends limiting exposure to 6mg of thujone per day. Prolonged use of wormwood can lead to kidney damage, particularly with excessive intake of wormwood oil. Pregnant women and individuals with hypersensitivity to Asteraceae plants should avoid wormwood, as it may act as an abortifacient and cause uterine contractions.

Dosage:

• Infusion: 1-1.5g of dried plant in 150mL boiling water, 2-3 times per day.
• Juice: 5mL twice a day.
• Powder: 0.76g, 3 times per day.
• Tincture: 1-4mL (1:1, 25%) three times a day.

Fun Fact:
The name “absinthe” derives from the Latin word absinthium, which was used for centuries to describe wormwood. This bitter herb has earned a place in both traditional remedies and popular culture due to its medicinal uses and notorious association with absinthe, the “green fairy” drink of the 19th century. Despite its somewhat dark history, wormwood remains an important herb in modern herbalism and in the world of spirits.