Artemisia absinthum

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Artemisia absinthum
Light:Full Sun Part Shade
Moisture:Xeric Mesic
Hardiness:4
Soil pH:5.6-8.4
Height:3'
Width:2'
Blooms:Mid Summer-Late Summer
Native to:
Edible Rating:PFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility RatingPFAF Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating:PFAF Medicinal RatingPFAF Medicinal RatingPFAF Medicinal Rating
Tea:Yes
Poisonous

Artemisia absinthum (common name: wormwood)

Propagation: Seed - surface sow from late winter to early summer in a greenhouse. The seed usually germinates within 2 - 26 weeks at 15°c[1]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots. They can be planted out in the summer, or kept in pots in a cold frame for the winter and then planted out in the spring.

Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame.

Division in spring or autumn.

Cultivation: Succeeds in any soil but it is best in a poor dry one with a warm aspect[2]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[3][4]. Plants are longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil[5]. Easily grown in a well-drained circumneutral or slightly alkaline loamy soil, preferring a sunny position[6][4]. Prefers a shady situation according to another report[7]. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.8 to 8.2.

Wormwood is occasionally grown in the herb garden, there are some named forms[8]. The growing plant is said to inhibit the growth of fennel, sage, caraway, anise and most young plants, especially in wet years[9][10][11]. Wormwood is a good companion for carrots, however, helping to protect them from root fly[12].

This herb was at one time the principal flavouring in the liqueur 'Absinthe' but its use has now been banned in most countries since prolonged consumption can lead to chronic poisoning, epileptiform convulsions and degeneration of the central nervous system[13].

The scent of the plant attracts dogs[14].

Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[15].

Range: Temperate regions of Europe and Asia, including Britain, north to Lapland and Siberia.

Habitat: Waste land, rocks and screes[7][16][17].

Edibility: Leaves are occasionally used as a flavouring[18][19][20]. Caution is advised, prolonged use is known to have a detrimental effect - see the notes above on toxicity[K].

Medicinal: Wormwood is a very bitter plant with a long history of use as a medicinal herb. It is valued especially for its tonic effect on the liver, gallbladder and digestive system, and for its vermicidal activity[7][21][22]. It is an extremely useful medicine for those with weak and under-active digestion. It increases stomach acid and bile production, improving digestion and the absorption of nutrients[22]. It also eases wind and bloating and, if taken regularly, helps the body return to full vitality after a prolonged illness[22].

The leaves and flowering shoots are anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitumor, carminative, cholagogue, emmenagogue, febrifuge, hypnotic, stimulant, stomachic, tonic and vermifuge[7][16][23][24][25][26][22]. The plant is harvested as it is coming into flower and then dried for later use[7]. Use with caution[23], the plant should be taken internally in small doses for short-term treatment only, preferably under the supervision of a qualified practitioner[21]. It should not be prescribed for children or pregnant women[21]. See also the notes above on toxicity.

The extremely bitter leaves are chewed to stimulate the appetite[26]. The bitter taste on the tongue sets off a reflex action, stimulating stomach and other digestive secretions[22]. The leaves have been used with some success in the treatment of anorexia nervosa[13].

The plant is applied externally to bruises and bites[21]. A warm compress has been used to ease sprains and strained muscles[27].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the leaves[16]. It is used to stimulate bile and gastric juice production and to treat disorders of the liver and gall bladder[16].

Usage: The fresh or dried shoots are said to repel insects and mice[28][10][11][14], they have been laid amongst clothing to repel moths and have also been used as a strewing herb[7][9][27]. An infusion of the plant is said to discourage slugs and insects[9][10][12]. The plant contains substances called sesquiterpene lactones, these are strongly insecticidal[22].

Pollinators: Wind

Notes: We could supply this in the next catalogue.

Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.

Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.

Flower Type: Hermaphrodite

Known Hazards: The plant is poisonous if used in large quantities[11][29]. Even small quantities have been known to cause nervous disorders, convulsions, insomnia etc[26]. Just the scent of the plant has been known to cause headaches and nervousness in some people[14]

Links

References

  1. ↑ Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan, 1988.
  2. ↑ Thompson, Robert. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son, 1878.
  3. ↑ Chatto, Beth. The Damp Garden. Dent, 1982.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
  5. ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
  6. ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
  8. ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Hylton, Josie and William Holtom. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press, 1979.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Philbrick, Helen and Richard Gregg. Companion Plants. Watkins, 1979.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Riotte, Louise. Carrots Love Tomatoes. Garden Way, 1978.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Allardice, Pamela. A-Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers, 1993.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Phillips, Roger. Herbs. Pan Books, 1990.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Buchanan, Rita. A Weavers Garden.
  15. ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
  17. ↑ Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of Europe. Oxford University Press, 1969.
  18. ↑ Vilmorin-Andrieux. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press.
  19. ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
  20. ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
  24. ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
  25. ↑ Mills, Simon. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 Foster, Steven and Billy Tatum. Medicinal Plants of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin, 1990.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
  28. ↑ Mabey, Richard. Plants with a Purpose. Fontana, 1979.
  29. ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.


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