Wormwood, absinthe

Wormwood is a shrubby perennial plant, with a distinctive odour. The long grey-green leaves are covered with pale, silky hairs, and the branches bear tightly-arranged clusters of small, greenish-yellow flowers. The flowers and youngest leaves were once used extensively as a household remedy and flavouring agent for liquor.

Species information

Distribution: Europe, Asia, North Africa

Habitat: Dry, rocky slopes and disturbed places such as footpaths.

Form: Shrub

Scientific name: Artemisia absinthium L. (Compositae)

Wormwood has been used for centuries to treat a variety of disorders, including the symptoms of the common cold, joint pains and stomach cramps. It has also been used as a general tonic, for poor appetite and as an antiseptic. Some of the chemical components of wormwood, known as azulenes, have been shown to alleviate inflammation. The essential oil from wormwood was used as an ingredient in the alcoholic aperitif, asbsinthe.