Wormwood – Artemesia absinthium

Habitat & Cultivation: A wayside plant native to Europe, North Africa & West Asia.cultivated in temperate regions around the globe. Propagated from seed or root divisions.

Parts Used: Arial parts harvested in late summer.

Planet – Mars

Deities: Artemis, Diana, Iris

Element – Fire

Humour – Choleric

Quality – Hot & dry in the 1^st degree

Main Constituents: Flavonoids, Phenolic acids, Lignans, Volatile oil containing Sesquiterpene Lactones – artabsin, azulene, thujone, anabsinthin, absinthe, tannins, artemisinin

Actions: Aromatic bitter, digestive, choleretic, anthelmintic, carminative, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, antiparasitic, alterative, antiseptic, anodyne, nervine, immune stimulant, antifungal, emmenagogue, diuretic, insecticide

Preparation: Tea, tincture, vinegar, aromatic water, incense, smudge bundles, poultice, compress, glycerite, honey and oxymel.

Uses:

Digestion: Wormwood stimulates the gastric juices and bile secretion. It improves digestion, absorption and liver function. It releases gall bladder congestion and improves the appetite. It can reduce heartburn and acidity and its antimicrobial properties can protect the gut from dysbiosis, stomach bugs, food poisoning and Candida. It does what it says it will as an effective remedy for intestinal parasites, the clues is in the name.

Immune System: Wormwood enhances immunity as an immune-stimulant and is helpful when feeling below par or recuperating from ill health.

Reproductive System: Wormwood can help to regulate the menstrual cycle and can be used to relieve period pains. It stimulates the uterine muscles and can be given in labour to help contractions. It must not be used during pregnancy. 

MSK: Wormwood has anodyne and anti-inflammatory properties and can help treat arthritis. It can be used as a poultice or compress externally to relieve muscle pain, sprains and bruising.

Skin: Wormwood can be used as a wash to help with skin issues such as eczema, fungal infections, scabies, fleas, nits and body lice. It is a gentle way to clear up nappy rash.

Nervous System: Wormwood is stimulating. It was traditionally used for poor memory, brain fog, headaches and migraines and depression of a hepatic origin.

Doses:

Tea – one cup 3 x daily

Tincture – 5ml 3 x daily to treat intestinal worms 5-10ml as a single dose on an empty stomach.

Myths and Folklore: The Latin name Artemesia comes from the Goddess Artemis, the goddess of war and hunting. Artemis allegedly gave Wormwood to Chiron the healer who then passed the knowledge to Aesclepias, God of healing.

It has been used as incense to both cleanse physically and mentally and for the development of psychic powers. It was also used in love potions and popped under the pillow, to dream of a husband to be. 

The leaves were sometimes used as strewing herbs to keep away flies and some sprigs placed with clothing and bed linen would deter both fleas and moths.

The drink vermouth, a tonic wine, is made with Wormwood as is the rather stronger (and still outlawed in some places) Absinthe, a very addictive liqueur famed for its ability to induce drunkenness and a popular beverage in the times of opium dens and smoking jackets. 

This herbal monograph is used with the permission of The Plant Medicine School.