Artemisia absinthium

Gardening Tips:

The Botany:

The Myths:

Traditionally, Artemisia vulgaris was used as a remedy for a variety of complaints, especially those of a gynaecological nature - this ranges from menstrual cramps, to bleeding, to pre, during and post-pregnancy troubles.

For this reason, the wormwood genus bears the name of the Greek goddess of childbirth, Artemis. Who has always been my favorite goddess - I have had a statue of her since I can remember.

The other interesting aspect of this plant - and probably the more well known - is its extensive use in making liquor.

Absinthe:
Wormwood is a key ingredient in absinthe, a highly alcoholic spirit that was once believed to cause hallucinations. Therefore prohibited and punished, and now consequently the stuff of legend.

The hallucination culprit was thought to be Thujone, but modern research suggests its levels were too low to cause hallucinations. I have always wondered if it could it have been that their tolerance was lower? The green fairy myth persists to this day though Absinthe is sold in many countries, though the thujone levels are strictly monitored and regulated.

Vermouth & Bitters:

Wormwood also appears as a key component in herbal liqueurs as it gives it its distinctive bitter flavor
The word 'wormwood' seems to come from the Old English word wermod, but we are not sure what the initial word meant. We do know that the German cognate Wermut is the source of the term vermouth, used in French and English to describe a kind of wine that is traditionally flavoured with wormwood

According to Nicholas Culpeper, a 'stinking breath' can be cured by "drinking a glass of Wormwood beer every morning". So you can slide a glass over to that family member who is chronically stinking into the conversation.