Absinthe

Absinthe is also known by the names Artemisia, Green Ginger, Southernwood, Old Woman, Wormwood, and Absinthium. Native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia, this herb is now cultivated in the United States and elsewhere. The plant grows from 2-4 feet in height. The part of this plant used medicinally is the above ground portion. Absinthe's alternate name, Wormwood, is obviously derived from its medicinal property of expelling intestinal worms for which it has been well known since ancient times. An Egyptian papyrus dated 1,600 years before Christ describes this bitter herb in detail. Legend has it that this plant first sprang up on the impressions that marked the serpent's tail as he slithered his way out of the Garden of Eden. Wormwood is from the Anglo Saxon "wermode", meaning, "mind preserver". The name "Absinthium" is Latin for "without sweetness". It got its generic name Artemisia from Artemis, the Greek name for Diana, because she discovered the plant's virtues and gave them to mankind. Another story has it that it is named for Artemisia, Queen of Caria, who gave her name to the plant after she had benefited from its treatments.

Wherever its name came from, it is one of the bitterest herbs known, even today. Its common name comes from its ability to act as a wormer in children and animals. It was used in granaries to drive away weevils & insects, and was used as a strewing herb to drive away fleas. In traditional folk medicine, Absinthe preparations were used internally for gastric insufficiency, intestinal atonia, gastritis, stomach ache, liver disorders, bloating, anemia, irregular menstruation, intermittent fever, loss of appetite, and worm infestations. The primary chemical constituents of Absinthe include essential oil (absinthol, azulenes, camphene, cineol, isovaleric acid, pinene, thujone, sesquiterpene lactones, absinthin), bitters (absinthium), flavonoids (quercetin), and polyacetylenes. Absinthin is a narcotic analgesic that affects the medullary portion of the brain concerned with pain & anxiety, inducing a dreamy creative state. It gives people a different view of reality. When used in small amounts, the constituent thujone works as a brain stimulant. Absinthe is perhaps best known because of the use of its oil to prepare certain alcoholic beverages, most notably vermouth and absinthe, popular in the late 1880's and early 1900's with artists such as Baudlaire, Degas, Gaugin, Manet, Toulouse Lautrec, Van Gogh and Verlaine. Absinthe caused several cases of brain damage, and even death, and was banned in most places in the early 20th century, although part of the beverage's dangerous properties may have come from copper salts used to give the drink its color.

Today, Absinthe is primarily used as a bitter; it has the effect of stimulating and invigorating the whole of the digestive process. It is used for indigestion, especially when due to a deficient quantity or quality of gastric juice. It is also a powerful remedy in the treatment of worm infestations, especially roundworm and pinworm. Absinthe may also be used to help the body deal with fever & infections. Absinthe also helps increase secretions of the liver and gall bladder. Topical uses of this herb include its use as a liniment or compress for bruises, sore muscles, bites and pain. It is often used as an insect repellent, and made into a spray to deter pests in organic gardening. A sachet of Absinthe can be used to keep moths away from clothes. The common name Absinthe includes the species Artemisia frigida and Artemisia tilesii, which are used interchangeably with Artemisia absinthium.

(This herbal ingredient can be purchased from Viable Herbal Solutions in powdered and capsule form as part of our Single Herb sales program.)