Wormwood
Artemisia absinthium
Also known as Absinthe, Absinthium, Green Ginger, and Madderwort
$2.50 per Ounce
History: Wormwood is a very bitter herb and is known to be extremely good for the body. Wormwood has a long history in the ancient world of the Middle East and Europe where it was used to counteract the effects of poisoning. However, the plant became an important part of Native American culture in Mexico and the eastern regions of the United States after it was transplanted from Europe. Native Mexican Indians would celebrate their great festival of the Goddess of Salt by a ceremonial dance of women who wore on their heads garlands of Wormwood.
Uses: Loss of appetite, upset stomach, gall bladder disease, intestinal spasms, fever, liver disease, and worm infections, used as a tonic, to increase sexual desire and to stimulate sweating
Active Ingredients: bitter sesquiterpenes, and flavonoid glycosides, rich in essential oils including absinthol, thyjyl, and isovaleric acid
Actions: bitter, tonic, carminative