Practical
Plants

Artemisia absinthum

Wormwood

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

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1 m
Spread
0.6 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.

The plant is poisonous if used in large quantities[12][28]. Even small quantities have been known to cause nervous disorders, convulsions, insomnia etc[16]. Just the scent of the plant has been known to cause headaches and nervousness in some people[6]. The plant contains thujone. In small quantities this acts as a brain stimulant but is toxic in excess[21].

Edible uses

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

Leaves are occasionally used as a flavouring[23][7][9]. Caution is advised, prolonged use is known to have a detrimental effect - see the notes above on toxicity[K].

Product or use
Condiment

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.

Wormwood is a very bitter plant with a long history of use as a medicinal herb. It is valued especially for its tonic effect on the liver, gallbladder and digestive system, and for its vermicidal activity[25][18][21]. It is an extremely useful medicine for those with weak and under-active digestion. It increases stomach acid and bile production, improving digestion and the absorption of nutrients[21]. It also eases wind and bloating and, if taken regularly, helps the body return to full vitality after a prolonged illness[21]. The leaves and flowering shoots are anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitumor, carminative, cholagogue, emmenagogue, febrifuge, hypnotic, stimulant, stomachic, tonic and vermifuge[25][29][15][26][5][16][21]. The plant is harvested as it is coming into flower and then dried for later use[25]. Use with caution[15], the plant should be taken internally in small doses for short-term treatment only, preferably under the supervision of a qualified practitioner[18]. It should not be prescribed for children or pregnant women[18]. See also the notes above on toxicity. The extremely bitter leaves are chewed to stimulate the appetite[16]. The bitter taste on the tongue sets off a reflex action, stimulating stomach and other digestive secretions[21]. The leaves have been used with some success in the treatment of anorexia nervosa[19]. The plant is applied externally to bruises and bites[18]. A warm compress has been used to ease sprains and strained muscles[22]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the leaves[29]. It is used to stimulate bile and gastric juice production and to treat disorders of the liver and gall bladder[29].

Product or use
Anthelmintic
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Cholagogue
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Homeopathy
Product or use
Hypnotic
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
Vermifuge

Material uses

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

The fresh or dried shoots are said to repel insects and mice[27][8][12][6], they have been laid amongst clothing to repel moths and have also been used as a strewing herb[25][4][22]. An infusion of the plant is said to discourage slugs and insects[4][8][14]. The plant contains substances called sesquiterpene lactones, these are strongly insecticidal[21].

Product or use
Repellent
Product or use
Strewing

Environment

Range
Temperate regions of Europe and Asia, including Britain, north to Lapland and Siberia.
Habitat
Waste land, rocks and screes[25][29][2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very 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 within 2 - 26 weeks at 15°c[3]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots. They can be planted out in the summer, or kept in pots in a cold frame for the winter and then planted out in the spring. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Division in spring or autumn.

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in any soil but it is best in a poor dry one with a warm aspect[24]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[11][13]. Plants are longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil[20]. Easily grown in a well-drained circumneutral or slightly alkaline loamy soil, preferring a sunny position[1][13]. Prefers a shady situation according to another report[25]. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.8 to 8.2. Wormwood is occasionally grown in the herb garden, there are some named forms[10]. The growing plant is said to inhibit the growth of fennel, sage, caraway, anise and most young plants, especially in wet years[4][8][12]. Wormwood is a good companion for carrots, however, helping to protect them from root fly[14]. This herb was at one time the principal flavouring in the liqueur 'Absinthe' but its use has now been banned in most countries since prolonged consumption can lead to chronic poisoning, epileptiform convulsions and degeneration of the central nervous system[19]. The scent of the plant attracts dogs[6]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[17].

References

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

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  2. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218

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

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  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↩3

  7. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

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  10. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

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  11. Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

  15. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  22. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2

  23. Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8

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  24. Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878-00-00

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  26. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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

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  28. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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  29. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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