Wormwood(Artemisia absinthium)
Other Names:
absinthe, absinthium, absinthe wormwood, grand wormwood, wormwood
Range:
Non-Native
Family:
Asteraceae - Aster or Composite Family
Growth Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Height:
Growing up to 2-4' in height
Leaves:
The leaves are spirally arranged, greenish-grey above and white below, covered with silky silvery-white trichomes, and bearing minute oil-producing glands; the basal leaves are up to 25 cm long, bipinnate to tripinnate with long petioles, with the cauline leaves (those on the stem) smaller, 5–10 cm long, less divided, and with short petioles; the uppermost leaves can be both simple and sessile (without a petiole)
Stem/Trunk:
Straight, grooved, branched, silver-green in color.
Root:
Fibrous root system
Flower Season:
Early summer to early autumn.
Flower Appearance:
Pale yellow, tubular flowers are clustered in sphere-shaped bent-down heads. These heads are clustered into branched panicles.
Seed/Fruit:
Fruit is a small achene.
Miscellaneous characteristics:
This plant is non-native. It has escaped cultivation, and has become naturalized across the northern United States and Canada.
Habitat:
Grows on uncultivated arid ground, on rocky slopes, and at the edge of footpaths and fields
Parts Used:
Arial parts of the plant
Culinary Uses:
This plant has been used as a flavoring in the production of the drink absinthe.
The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.
Energetics
Taste: Bitter
Thermal: Warming
Humidity: Drying
Traditional Medicinal Uses:
Use for Amenorrhea, Anemia, Anorexia, Arthritis, Ascaris, Atonic Dyspepsia, Biliary disorders, Crohn's disease, Chronic Gastritis, Colic, Dysmenorrhea, Enterobius, Flatulence, Indigestion, Malabsorption, Nausea, Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis.
This plant is used as a bitter to counteract poor appetite and for IgA nephropathy. Extracts of A. absinthium have been shown to decrease TNF-a (Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha). It functions in a manner similar to biologics like Humira®, Enbrel®, and Remicade®, etc.
Cautions According To WebMD
Contra-Indications
None Known
Possible Side Effects:
None Known
Possible Interactions:
None Known
Medicinal Actions:
Anthelmintic,
Antiarthritic,
Anti-Inflammatory,
Antimicrobial,
Antineoplastic,
Antiparasitic,
Antipsoriatic,
Antirheumatic,
Bitter,
Carminative,
Choleretic,
Diuretic,
Emmenagogue,
Immunomodulator,
Nervine,
Stomachic,
Tonic: Kidney,
Tonic: Uterine
Herbal Preparations For Artemisia absinthium
Cold Infusion
Part Used: Herb
Plant State: Fresh
Place 2 ounces of the fresh chopped leaves into a quart mason jar. Fill the jar with cold water. Cover the jar, place it in a sunny location, and let it sit for 8 to 10 hours. If refrigerated, the infusion will last a couple of days.
Dosage: 1-3 oz daily
Tincture
Part Used: Herb
Plant State: Fresh
Alcohol Percentage: 60%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:2
Fill a quart mason jar to the neck with chopped, fresh, plant material, then pour in 600 ml of 75% alcohol and 150 ml of water. This will result in a menstrum of 60% alcohol and 40% water, the ideal strength to create your tincture. Next pour the contents of the jar into a blender and blend until all of the plant material is thoroughly chopped into fine pieces and incorporated into the menstrum. This will increase the surface area and provide better leaching of the plant constituents. As a matter of fact, this method works so well that, if necessary, the tincture can be used in as little as 7 days. Now pour the contents of the blender back into the jar. be careful to scrape every last bit of goodness from the blender. Place a lid on the mason jar and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 20-40 drops 3 times daily
Tincture
Part Used: Herb
Plant State: Dried
Alcohol Percentage: 60%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:5
Fill a quart mason jar to the neck with dried plant material, then pour in 600 ml of 75% alcohol and 150 ml of water. This will result in a menstrum of 60% alcohol and 40% water, the ideal strength to create your tincture. Next pour the contents of the jar into a blender and blend until all of the plant material is thoroughly chopped into fine pieces and incorporated into the menstrum. This will increase the surface area and provide better leaching of the plant constituents. As a matter of fact, this method works so well that, if necessary, the tincture can be used in as little as 7 days. Now pour the contents of the blender back into the jar. be careful to scrape every last bit of goodness from the blender. Place a lid on the mason jar and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 20-40 drops 3 times daily
