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What is Wormwood?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Many plants in the genus Artemisia are known as “wormwood,” although most people use the term specifically to refer to A. absinthium or grande wormwood, the primary active ingredient in absinthe. This variety has been used medicinally in a variety of ways for centuries, and despite concerns about its health risks, few studies have really examined the plant and its compounds closely.

Wormwood is native to Europe, although it has since spread to Asia, Africa, and North America. It grows primarily in temperate zones, and readily takes over when given a chance to do so. People can recognize the plant by its shrub-like look, tall gray-green hairy stems, and lobed yellow green leaves, which are typically arranged in a spiral pattern around the stems. It also has a very distinctive sharp, spicy odor that some people describe as bitter or acrid.

Absinthe is an extremely strong spirit that contains wormwood.
Absinthe is an extremely strong spirit that contains wormwood.

The plant prefers full sun, and it likes to grow in dry soil. Wormwood often grows very well in poor soil, taking over where other plants cannot grow, although it prefers medium-weight soil which is high in nitrogen. In temperate zones, the plant will grow as a perennial, while in colder zones, it may die off during the winter, due to frost. Its bitter flavor and odor, incidentally, makes it an excellent method of natural pest control.

Wormwood is an herb used in making absinthe and can also be included in herbal remedies that aid digestion.
Wormwood is an herb used in making absinthe and can also be included in herbal remedies that aid digestion.

A number of cultures have used wormwood in various medical applications. The plant has historically been used in tisanes and tinctures for things like labor pains, digestive problems, and cardiac issues. Wormwood's effectiveness as a treatment for these conditions has not been proved, and because compounds in the plant can potentially be toxic, these treatments should only be undertaken with caution, with the products prepared by skilled herbalist. Pure extract should never be consumed.

Wormwood has been used to treat digestive problems.
Wormwood has been used to treat digestive problems.

The main toxin of concern in wormwood is thujone, the same compound that allegedly makes absinthe a hallucinogen. In fact, thujone does not appear to have hallucinogenic properties, but in large amounts, it can cause damage to the nervous system, resulting in convulsions, loss of muscle control, and sometimes death, if enough is involved. The amount of thujone in absinthe is typically quite minimal, as wormwood is only one of an assortment of herbs macerated in alcohol to yield this spirit.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllThingsNature researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllThingsNature researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

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    • Absinthe is an extremely strong spirit that contains wormwood.
      By: dimcha
      Absinthe is an extremely strong spirit that contains wormwood.
    • Wormwood is an herb used in making absinthe and can also be included in herbal remedies that aid digestion.
      By: Mark Herreid
      Wormwood is an herb used in making absinthe and can also be included in herbal remedies that aid digestion.
    • Wormwood has been used to treat digestive problems.
      By: lightwavemedia
      Wormwood has been used to treat digestive problems.
    • Wormwood may help ease labor pains.
      By: Tyler Olson
      Wormwood may help ease labor pains.