Artemisia Absinthium is the botanical and Latin name for the plant Common Wormwood. The name “Artemisia” was taken from the name of Greek Goddess Artemis. Artemis was not only the goddess of forests, hills and hunt but also a saviour of children. Artemis was later linked to the moon. It is thought that the Latin “Absinthium” comes from the Ancient Greek for “unenjoyable” or “without sweetness”, referring to wormwood’s bitter taste.

In the rocky areas and on arid ground of Asia, North Africa and the Mediterranean this Common Wormwood plant is grown. It has also been found growing in parts of North America after spreading from people’s gardens. People also know Artemisia Absinthium or common wormwood as armoise, green ginger and grande wormwood.

Wormwood plants look beautiful with their silver gray leaves and tiny yellow flowers. Wormwood oil is available in tiny glands on the leaves. The Artemisia group of plants also includes tarragon, sagebrush, sweet wormwood, Levant wormwood, silver king artemisia, Roman wormwood and southernwood. The Artemisia plants come under the Aster family of plants.

Wormwood has been used as a herbal medicine for different medical purpose
- The labor pains can be lowered down by it.
- To counterbalance the poisoning from toadstools and hemlock.
- It can also be used as an antiseptic.
- One can use it to ease digestive problems and stimulate digestion. Wormwood is helpful in dealing with the problem of insufficient stomach acid.
- It acts as a cardiac stimulant in pharmaceuticals.
- It helps in reducing fevers.
- It can help in discharging intestinal worms.
- Used as a tonic.

There is research proving wormwood to be effective on Alzheimer’s disease and Crohn’s disease.

Effects of Artemisia Absinthium

Wormwood is a key ingredient in the liquor Absinthe, the Green Fairy, which was banned in many countries in the early 1900s. Absinthe is named after this herb which also gives the drink its characteristic bitter taste,

Absinthe was banned because of its alleged psychedelic effects. It was thought to cause hallucinations and to drive people insane. People attached Absinthe with the Bohemian culture of Parisian Montmartre.

The chemical thujone and the THC are said to be similar. As Absinthe is a strong spirit so a person will be comatose before experiencing the effects of thujone in it!

One should drink Absinthe in moderation because it is about twice as strong as whisky and vodka.

Absinthe just is not real Absinthe without Artemisia Absinthium. “fake” Absinthes are prepared by various manufacturers using other herbs and flavorings. If you want the real thing you must check that they contain thujone or Common Wormwood or use essences,such as those from AbsintheKit.AbsintheKit.com is the site which can be beneficial for preparing one’s own Absinthe.