Practical
Plants

Artemisia abrotanum

Southernwood

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Artemisia genus in the family Compositae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
1.2 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Although no reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, skin contact with some members of this genus can cause dermatitis or other allergic reactions in some people[13].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The young shoots have a bitter, lemony flavour and are used in small quantities as a flavouring in cakes, salads and vinegars[1][20][22][9][16]. A tea is made from the young bitter shoots[9].

Product or use
Condiment
Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Southernwood has a long history of domestic herbal use, though it is now used infrequently in herbal medicine[18]. It is a strongly aromatic bitter herb that improves digestion and liver function by increasing secretions in the stomach and intestines, it stimulates the uterus and encourages menstrual flow, lowers fevers, relaxes spasms and destroys intestinal worms[15][18]. The herb, and especially the young flowering shoots, is anthelmintic, antiseptic, cholagogue, deobstruent, emmenagogue, stomachic and tonic[20][22][5]. The main use of this herb is as an emmenagogue, though it is also a good stimulant tonic and has some nervine principle[20]. It is sometimes given to young children in order to expel parasitic worms and externally it is applied to small wounds in order to stop them bleeding and help them to heal[22]. The herb is also used externally in aromatic bathes and as a poultice to treat skin conditions[19]. Southernwood should be used internally with caution, see the notes above on toxicity. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy, since it can encourage menstrual flow[15].

Product or use
Anthelmintic
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Cholagogue
Product or use
Deobstruent
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Insect repellent. The growing plant repels fruit tree moths when growing in an orchard[21][4][7][10]. The fresh plant can also be rubbed onto the skin to deter insects[22]. The shoots can be dried for indoor use, they remain effective for 6 - 12 months[6]. They are also said to repel ants[12]. Shoots can be burnt in the fireplace to remove cooking odours from the house[12]. The leaves have a refreshing lemon-like fragrance and are used in pot-pourri[17]. An essential oil from the leaves and flowering shoots is used in perfumery in order to add certain subtle tones[22]. A yellow dye is obtained from the branches[4][19]. Plants can be grown as a low hedge, they tolerate quite hard clipping[11][12]. An infusion of the plant is used as a hair tonic or conditioner[12].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Hair care
Product or use
Incense
Product or use
Pot-pourri
Product or use
Repellent

Environment

Range
S. Europe? The original habitat is obscure.
Habitat
Not known in a truly wild situation.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - surface sow from late winter to early summer in a greenhouse. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 2 months at 15°c[3]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots. Once the seedlings are more than 15cm tall, plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or summer. Cuttings of young wood 8cm long, May in a frame[6]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July/August in a frame[1].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in most soils, preferring a well-drained one that is not too rich[1][2]. Easily grown in a well-drained circumneutral or slightly alkaline loamy soil, preferring a sunny position[1][11]. Plants are longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil[17]. Tolerates a pH in the range 6.3 to 7.6. Established plants are drought tolerant. Plants succeed in maritime gardens[14]. Southernwood is often grown in the herb garden, the leaves are very aromatic[8]. It is best to cut the plant back fairly hard every spring in order to keep it compact and encourage plenty of new growth[14][19]. The plant rarely produces flowers in British gardens[2]. A good companion plant for cabbages[4][7][10]. It is also a good plant to grow in the orchard, where it can help to reduce insect pests[12]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[11]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[14].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩

  4. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩

  6. Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.

    ↩1↩2

  7. Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  8. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩

  9. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  10. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

    ↩1↩2

  11. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  12. Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  13. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩

  14. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩1↩2↩3

  15. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2

  16. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

    ↩

  17. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2

  18. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2

  19. Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-85613-067-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  20. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  21. Mabey. R. Plants with a Purpose. Fontana 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-00-635555-2

    ↩

  22. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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