What is Wormwood?

Many plants in the family artemisia are known as "Wormwood", although most people use this term specifically to indicate a. Absinthium or Grande Wormwood, the primary active ingredient in absinthe. This variety has been used for centuries in different ways and despite concerns about its health risks, few studies actually examined the plant and its compounds. It grows primarily in mild zones and easily takes over when it has a chance. People can get to know the plant with their bush similar to appearance, high gray -green hairy stems and lobed yellow green leaves, which are usually arranged in a spiral pattern around the stems. It also has a very pronounced sharp, spicy odor that some people describe as bitter or pungent. Wormwood often grows very well in Poor soil, taking over where other plants cannot grow, even if it prefers the soil of medium weight that has high nitrogen. In mild zones the plant will grow as permanent, while in colder zones can die in winter KVFront of frost. Its bitter taste and odor, by the way, makes it an excellent method of natural pest control.

A number of cultures used Wormwood in various medical applications. The plant was historically used in Tisans and tinctures for things such as work pain, digestive problems and heart problems. The effectiveness of Wormwood as the treatment of these conditions has not been proven, and since compounds in the plant can be potentially toxic, these treatments should only be caution, and products prepared by a qualified herbalist. A clean extract should never be consumed.

The main toxin of Wormwood is Thujone, the same compound allegedly makes absinthe hallucinogen. In fact, Thujone does not have hallucinogenic properties, but in large quantities can cause damage to the nervous system, resulting in spasms, loss of muscle control and sometimes death if it isenough. The amount of thujone in absinthe is usually relatively minimal because Wormwood is just one of the range of macerated herbs in alcohol to provide this spirit.