Wormwood, Absinthe Wormwood, Grand Wormwood, Absinth
Artemisia absinthium
🌿 Morphology
🌞 Growing conditions
🌍 Origin and family
🌾 Uses
Warning: Despite the care taken in writing this sheet, it is essential to cross-reference sources before using or consuming any plant. When in doubt, consult a qualified professional
Permaculture uses
Wormwood is used as a companion plant to deter pests like cabbage moths, flea beetles, and snails. It's also used in compost to activate decomposition and as a source of potassium. Medicinally, it has been used for digestive issues, as an anti-inflammatory, and to expel worms, but should be used with caution due to its thujone content. It is also the key ingredient in the alcoholic beverage absinthe, but consumption must be regulated to avoid toxicity.
Permapeople description
Wormwood, also known as Artemisia absinthium, is a perennial plant native to temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa. It has silver-gray leaves and small, yellow flowers that bloom in the summer. The plant typically grows to be about 2-4 feet tall and has a woody stem. It is commonly differentiated from other plants in the Artemisia genus by its strong, bitter aroma.
Wormwood prefers to grow in well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. It is generally easy to cultivate, but may require some effort to control its spread, as it can be invasive in some areas. The plant is winter hardy and can tolerate cold temperatures.
Wormwood has a long history of use as a medicinal herb and is known for its bitter, absinthe-like flavor. The leaves and flowering tops of the plant can be used to make a bitter tonic or added to food and drinks as a flavoring. However, wormwood should be used sparingly as it can be toxic in large amounts.
In addition to its culinary and medicinal uses, wormwood has also been used for a variety of other purposes. It is known to repel pests and can be used as a natural insecticide. The plant is also commonly used in natural dyes and as an ornamental plant in gardens.
Wormwood provides habitat and food for a variety of wildlife, including butterflies and birds. It is also known to attract pollinators, such as bees and wasps.
Botanical description
Artemisia absinthium is a perennial herbaceous plant with fibrous roots. The stems are straight, growing to 0.8–1.2 meters (2 ft 7 in – 3 ft 11 in) tall, grooved, and silvery-green. The leaves are spirally arranged, greenish-gray above and white-tomentose below, and covered with fine silky hairs. The basal leaves are up to 25 cm (10 in) long, bi- to tri-pinnately divided with long petioles, with the stem leaves smaller (5–10 cm (2–4 in) long), less divided, and with short petioles; the uppermost leaves can be both simple and sessile. The flowers are pale yellow, tubular, and clustered in spherical drooping capitula (flowerheads), which are numerous and arranged in leafy panicles. Flowering is from early summer to early autumn. The fruit is a small achene.
Companion planting
Favorable: Deters cabbage moths, flea beetles, and snails in gardens. Unfavorable: Inhibits the growth of fennel and sage; keep a distance from these plants.
Propagation methods
Wormwood can be propagated by seed, cuttings, or division. Seeds should be surface sown in spring or autumn. Cuttings can be taken in late spring or early summer. Division of the rootstock can be done in spring or autumn.
History and traditions
Wormwood has a long history of medicinal and ritual use, dating back to ancient Egypt. It was used by the ancient Greeks for menstrual pain and jaundice. In the Middle Ages, it was used as a flavoring agent for beer and wine. It gained notoriety in the 19th century as the key ingredient in absinthe, a spirit believed to have psychoactive properties. The use of absinthe was widely banned due to concerns about its toxicity, primarily attributed to the compound thujone. Wormwood was also used in traditional medicine as an anthelmintic (expelling worms), hence the name 'wormwood'.
Usage calendar
Flowering: July - September. Planting: Spring or Autumn. Harvesting: Leaves can be harvested throughout the growing season, best before flowering. Pruning: Cut back after flowering to encourage bushier growth.