Distilling the herb in alcohol increases the thujone concentration, which is what makes absinthe such a debatable liquor of choice. Thujone is the potentially poisonous chemical found in wormwood. The main components are β- pinene (23.8 percent) and β- thujone (18.6 percent).

One study of the essential oil of Artemisia absinthium found that it contains at least 28 components representing 93.3 percent of the oil. The essential oil is extracted from the leaves and flowering tops by steam distillation.

All the aerial portions (stem, leaves and flowers) of the plant have medicinal uses and wormwood tea is commonly consumed for a range of ailments. Wormwood can be used either fresh or dried. Sweet wormwood ( Artemisia annua), also known as sweet annie, sweet sagewort, annual mugwort or annual wormwood, is a common type of wormwood native to temperate Asia but naturalized in parts of North America. The leaves of the plant have glands that contain resinous particles where the natural insecticide is stored. It has gray-green or white stems covered by fine hairs and yellowish-green leaves that are hairy and silky. Today, it also grows wild in the U.S., most commonly along roads or paths.Īlso called shrub wormwood, Artemisia absinthium is a shrubby plant that typically grows to be one to three feet tall. The wormwood plant is native to Europe and parts of Africa and Asia. It’s related to Artemisia vulgaris, or mugwort, another medicinal herb. Many species of the artemisia family tend to have medicinal properties. This artemisia plant releases an aromatic odor and has a spicy, bitter taste. What is wormwood exactly? Artemisia absinthium is an odorous, perennial that belongs to the Asteraceae or Compositae family, more commonly known as the daisy family. Of course, there is good reason for caution with wormwood products (like absinthe) as well, but once you learn about thujone, you’ll see why not all wormwood products are created equally. Truly an intriguing plant to say the least, but can this herb really kill parasites and cancer? Studies say yes, and the positive medicinal effects keep on coming. Wormwood herb is used in alcoholic beverages while the wormwood star is mentioned in the bible. Wormwood tea can also be used to treat anorexia, insomnia, anemia, a lack of appetite, flatulence, stomach aches, jaundice and indigestion. Scientific research also shows that wormwood can even kills cancer cells. Just how powerful is wormwood? Well, it’s owed thanks and praise for being the source of the key ingredient for the herbal drug artemisinin, which is touted as the most powerful anti-malarial on the market.Īnd it doesn’t stop there. This is exactly why it’s commonly recommended as part of a parasite cleanse. Wormwood is actually used to eliminate intestinal worms, especially roundworms and pinworms. You may have heard of wormwood because of its inclusion in this famous European beverage, but did you know that it also holds an ability to aid many common and serious health concerns? as well as many other countries, but it’s still available in Europe. What do Edgar Degas, Vincent van Gogh and Pablo Picasso all have in common aside from their incredible painting abilities? These three artists all shared a love of absinthe, a botanical spirit made from wormwood, anise and fennel.Ībsinthe is currently illegal in the U.S.

Wormwood dicebox