Artemisia absinthium, or commonly known as absinthe or wormwood, is a species of Artemisia, native to temperate regions of Eurasia and Northern Africa and widely naturalized in Canada and the northern United States. It is grown as an ornamental plant and is used as an ingredient in the strong spirit absinthe as well as in some other alchoholic beverages. Wormwood is pleasantly aromatic but bitter in taste. The herb is used in its entirety for medicinal preparations.

Sources from the Ancient World and the Middle Ages indicate that many varieties were useful for insesticides, to be strewn among floor rushes or dried and packed among furs and textiles to prevent moth and flea infestations. It also places prominently in love potions and pfilters of th Middle Ages. The Ancient Greeks used wormwood in cases of amenorrea and as an appetite booster. The name Artemisia was given to the plant in honor of the Deity Artemis's name.

The wormwood extract from the herb, is harvested to make herbal teas and other medicinal extracts. The wormwood oil that is extracted from the shrub possesses two chemical compounds, known as absinthin and anabsinthin, which five it the distinctive bitter taste. Wormwood volatile oil, when extracted, exhibits approximately .5%-1% of the resultant liquid. It is often blue or green in color and gives off a strong, bitter smell. The oil itself is a cocktail of thujone (absinthe or tenaceton), thujanol alchohol, cadinene, phellandrene and pinene. The herb also contains quantities of tannin, resin, nitrate of potash, other salts.

Wormwood, as the name suggests, is strongly adviced for the treatment of intestinal worms, particularly pinworms and roundworms. Due to its anti-parasitic properties, wormwood oil or extracts are sometimes used as insect repellents, and a local insecticide to be used in gardens and local application on pets. The plant can be effective in treating inflammation of the bladder, hepatitis, jaundice, fever, stomach and liver infections, an mild cases of depression. It is considered that wormwood can offer protection to the liver against harmful chemicals. There have been reports that wormwood has been used to treat troubles linked to childbearing, muscle sprains, arthritic aches and in some severe cases to treat broken bones. The bitter components and acids render wormwood an excellent remedy for digestive issues. This is due to the fact the bitter flavor on the tongue actually causes the gallbladder to produce and release bile. Usually, too little acid production can lead to indigestion and not vice versa, contrary to popular belief. It is also noted as being useful in alleviating fever and for its tonic effects. It may also be applied topically to relieve inflamamtion from insect bites and promote healing. Wormwood is also useful in treating jaundice, a sign of liver dysfunction and to increase sexual drive.

Medicinal Applications:

Wormwood is very commonly employed in digestive issues and to help rid the digestive tract of worms.

It helps the production and release of bile from the bladder, due to its bitter components, which in turn helps in impaired digestion.

It has been used for its anti-cancer properties.

Wormwood boosts appetite, and in the same time helps in breaking down fat stored inside the body, or that is digested through food.

The plant is employed for its diuretic abilities.

Wormwood is anti-inflammatory, astringent, helps fight bacterial infections, it has analgesic properties and promotes healing.

Due to its bitterness, it can be employed to help regulate blood sugar.

It is an excellent tonic herb.

This is to inform you that we are not doctors. What is written above has a simple character and in no way replaces medical application. Always consult your doctor about your health issues.