Home > All about absinthe > What is wormwood?
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-- By Ari in California on Tue, 30 Jan 2007 at 22:54.
I would call that "wormwood's bogus secret" While A.A. does contain thujone it has been shown that only a tiny amount of thujone ends up in absinthe so wormwood was singled out as the dangerous part of absinthe because of a chemical barely found in absinthe. The extreme bitterness of A.A. most likely prevented people from ingesting noticeable amounts of thujone.
Whatever the possible effects of AA it's ironic the chemical it's most famous for most likely doesn't cause them.
-- By Aaron in Fairview, OK on Wed, 7 Mar 2007 at 11:03.
I thought this was interesting (from paganwiccan.about.com):
Wormwood is used to enhance psychic abilities, divination, astral work and any rituals involving the spirit world. If you burn wormwood as an incense, make sure the room is well ventilated. Dried wormwood can protect your home as well.
According to old folk tales, burning wormwood and sandalwood in a cemetary would enable you to speak to the dead. Also, a charm of dried wormwood will protect you from sea serpents (in case that's a problem in your life)
-- By Angela in Norwich UK on Mon, 26 Mar 2007 at 10:13.
From wikipedia:
"Within such religious practicies as Wicca, both Wormwood and Mugwort are believed to have multiple effects on the psychic abilities of the practitioner. Because of the power believed to be inherent in certain herbs of the genus Artemisia, many believers cultivate the plants in a "moon garden".
"The beliefs surrounding this genus are founded upon the strong association between the herbs of the genus Artemisia and the moon goddess Artemis, who is believed to hold these powers. She is known also by Diana, Selene, and Pheobe. In Hellenistic culture, Artemis was a goddess of the hunt, and protector of the forest and children."
Nice site by the way!
-- By Mirabel in United Kingdom on Thu, 29 Mar 2007 at 21:07.
"For the lips of an adulteress drip honey,
And smoother than oil is her speech;
But in the end she is bitter as wormwood,
Sharp as a two-edged sword.
Her feet go down to death,
Her steps lay hold of Sheol. "
Proverbs 5:4
-- By Kamaile in Georgia on Sat, 31 Mar 2007 at 14:49.
Good Afternoon
Mirabel, I see that you quote Proverbs. I have a question about wormwood in the Bible "...he hast made me drunken with wormwood."(Lamentations 3:15) Would this have been wormwood liquor like absinthe or does chewing wormwood cause intoxication?
"Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall..."(Jeremiah 23:15)"
-- By Tess B in Lincs on Mon, 16 Apr 2007 at 08:05.
I believe that there are actually two constituents of
wormwood - absinthine and anabsinthine. It has traditionaly been used to make beer (wormwood ale) and also a wine tonic to cure stomach upsets, as you say. But wormwood was also widley used in religion. There is a Mexican festival that uses garlands of the plant, during a pre Christian ritual worship of the Salt Goddess. In fact, wormwood plays an important part in many ancient magic rituals - I was wondering if it was this fact that influenced the belief that absinthe had the power to create shamanic type visons? I am not sure what wormwood is used for - to conjure up spirits or something? It's an interesting thought. I must admit that I've never had any deities turn up when I've been drinking absinthe, but then the modern day absinthe doesn't contain as much wormwood.
-- By Arthur Bots in Kentucky on Sat, 23 Jun 2007 at 22:18.
To Kamaile in Georgia:
When I read your question about the wormwood bible reference and whether it involved drinking or chewing the wormwood, I was also interested in the answer, so I did a little researching and found the following information:
"The plant contains ethereal oils (such as cineole, or wormwood oil, and thujone), flavonoids, triterpenes, and coumarin derivatives. Chewing some leaves will kill the fatigue and stimulate the nervous system. It was also used as an anthelminthic, so it is sometimes confused with wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)"
Keep in mind, the article that contained this information was about common wormwood (Artemisia vulgaris), but I still think that it's applicable to your question. If common wormwood is able to create these sensations, then I would guess that actual wormwood would create even more intense effects.
I'll keep searching for more information on wormwood chewing and let you know if I come across anything else of interest 
-- By travis in australia on Thu, 23 Aug 2007 at 08:44.
i have never had a hangover quite like it crazy stuff dont mess with this stuff unless you want to feel pain
When sexually frustrated people ruin forums
-- By Madeline in Washington, DC on Thu, 6 Mar 2008 at 05:03.
It is quite unfortunate when sexually frustrated people ruin good forums. Pedophilia, Racism, Sexism, ect...is unfortunately something "people" of low IQ and/or those that have deep seated psychological issues contend with. We can only pity them. The question we all have is, why did they pick this forum (about Artemisia Absinthe/Wormwood)? Maybe they need to go to "AA" and reconsider "worming" their way into good forums
When sexually frustrated people ruin good forums
-- By Madeline in Washington, D.C. on Thu, 6 Mar 2008 at 05:44.
Addendum: A Bitter person finds a forum about a Bitter herb.
From Wikipedia:
"A number of Bible scholars consider the term Wormwood to be a purely symbolic representation of the bitterness that will fill the earth during troubled times, noting that the plant for which Wormwood is named, Artemisia absinthium, is a known Biblical metaphor for things that are unpalatably BITTER."
Looking for a love spells website?
-- By Dypeplurgynup in Dypeplurgynup on Mon, 2 Aug 2010 at 22:09.
Hello lads,
I am looking for a good love spells web site, I know this sounds weird or funny, but I'm desperate. Please, no jokes.
Would anyone recommend a trustworthy website?
Thanks 
-- By sarah in uk on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 at 20:05.
does anyone know how which parts of the wormwood plant you need to harvest for making absinthe, and how you harvest it please? i can only find how to harvest for tea!
-- By Eugene in Elida, Ohio, USA on Mon, 1 Aug 2011 at 19:13.
The leaves and flowers are steam distilled to produce absinthe essential oil.
Additional discussion can be found here: http://beckysbathsalts.com/Aeracuras-Essential-Oils/Essential-Oil-A-M/absinthe-essential-oil/prod_37.html
Stove top distillation is commonly used by home crafters to produce essential oils from plant material.
-- By ricky carter in geelong,australia on Sun, 11 Sep 2011 at 02:00.
i drink wormwood tea all the time and im the only person that dosn't get gastro, i use it as a substatute to marijuana because it has the same chemical stucture
and the same effect
-- By annima in alabama,usa on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 at 17:48.
i have found from experience that wormwood has wonderful anti spasmodic properties. i have been using it to help with the side effects of my severe scoliosis. it does have a horribly bitter taste to it, but it is well worth it.
-- By GIlbert Gamboa in San Bernardino, Ca. U.S.A. on Sat, 9 Jun 2012 at 06:12.
Great Page thanks.
This beverage is the most dangerous drink according to the internet news
-- By Brando Caliamat in Philippines on Sun, 24 Feb 2013 at 23:45.
Absinthe: A drink made famous by pop-culture is known worldwide as being the brand ambassador of illegal drinks all around the world. Made out of wormwood and anise, it is considered to be a highly alcoholic beverage. Supposedly, it drove people crazy and caused epilepsy and tuberculosis, and hence was banned in the 19th century. Albeit, due to recent changes in the rules and regulations of food and beverages, there has been a revival of Absinthe culture and it is back in the market.
-- By Rawdon in Cambridge on Mon, 23 Sep 2013 at 12:50.
tuberculosis! 
It is also said to turn mice into giants that will eat all the crops. Thank you for sharing "Internet News" i.e hocus pocus nonsense!
Here is in interesting article on wormwood for cancer treatment and cure.
-- By Jack Langiano in Springfield, IL on Wed, 4 Jun 2014 at 20:57.
http://truththeory.com/2013/12/25/little-known-chinese-herb-iron-kill-98-of-cancer-cells-in-16-hours/
-- By alexandra in lausanne, switzerland on Thu, 16 Oct 2014 at 19:29.
La Fee Verte (the Green Fairy) is an old tradition in French-speaking Switzerland (Suisse romande). I am from NYC and spent summers in Switzerland as a child. My grandpapa was an Army captain in the Jura during WW2 and taught me to love it (perhaps too young but oh well).
Anyone in Geneva on holiday should visit the Cafe du Marche on Plainpalais. They have real old fashioned absinthe fountains, chilled with a good variety of choices for your delectation. Absinthe lovers be advised that this place is well worthwhile!
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About the wormwood plant
The Vaults of Erowid site has a section about wormwood with information, photos of the plant and even experiences by people who have "experimented" with wormwood.
Wormwood tea anyone? The Golden Harvest Organics site has the recipe (the tea is to be used as a natural insect repellent, not drunk!), plus some tips on growing and harvesting the plant.
Purdue University's Center for New Crops & Plant Products has a short entry on wormwood that gives its common names, habitat and desription.
What is absinthe?
What is the history of absinthe?
What is wormwood?
How about thujone?
What are the effects of absinthe?
How do I drink absinthe?
What is "La Louche" ritual?
What is an absinthe fountain?
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