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Summary
Wormwood, a perennial ornamental plant used as an ingredient in the spirit absinthe, has 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. The leaves can be used as a flavouring. The fresh or dried shoots are said to repel insects and mice. Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Late summer. Form: Upright or erect. Other names: absinthe wormwood, Louisiana Artemisia, Cudweed, Western Mugwort, White Sage, Wormwood, Absinthe
Physical Characteristics
Artemisia absinthium is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.6 m (2ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Absinthium officinale Brot. Artemisia pendula Salisb.. Artemisia rhaetica Brügger.
Plant Habitats
Edible Uses
Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Condiment
Leaves are occasionally used as a flavouring[27, 177, 183]. Caution is advised, prolonged use is known to have a detrimental effect - see the notes above on toxicity[K]. Absinthe - a distilled, highly alcoholic drink usually produced in France, Switzerland, Australia, Spain, and the Czech Republic.
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anthelmintic Antiseptic Antispasmodic Appetizer Carminative Cholagogue Emmenagogue Febrifuge
Homeopathy Hypnotic Stimulant Stomachic Tonic Vermifuge
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[4, 238, 254]. 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[254]. It also eases wind and bloating and, if taken regularly, helps the body return to full vitality after a prolonged illness[254]. The leaves and flowering shoots are anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitumor, carminative, cholagogue, emmenagogue, febrifuge, hypnotic, stimulant, stomachic, tonic and vermifuge[4, 9, 21, 46, 165, 222, 254]. The plant is harvested as it is coming into flower and then dried for later use[4]. Use with caution[21], the plant should be taken internally in small doses for short-term treatment only, preferably under the supervision of a qualified practitioner[238]. It should not be prescribed for children or pregnant women[238]. See also the notes above on toxicity. The extremely bitter leaves are chewed to stimulate the appetite[222]. The bitter taste on the tongue sets off a reflex action, stimulating stomach and other digestive secretions[254]. The leaves have been used with some success in the treatment of anorexia nervosa[244]. The plant is applied externally to bruises and bites[238]. A warm compress has been used to ease sprains and strained muscles[257]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the leaves[9]. It is used to stimulate bile and gastric juice production and to treat disorders of the liver and gall bladder[9].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Repellent Strewing
The fresh or dried shoots are said to repel insects and mice[6, 18, 20, 169], they have been laid amongst clothing to repel moths and have also been used as a strewing herb[4, 14, 257]. An infusion of the plant is said to discourage slugs and insects[14, 18, 201]. The plant contains substances called sesquiterpene lactones, these are strongly insecticidal[254].
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Landscape Uses:Border, Ground cover, Seashore. Succeeds in any soil but it is best in a poor dry one with a warm aspect[37]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[190, 200]. Plants are longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil[245]. Easily grown in a well-drained circumneutral or slightly alkaline loamy soil, preferring a sunny position[1, 200]. Prefers a shady situation according to another report[4]. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.8 to 8.2. Wormwood is occasionally grown in the herb garden, there are some named forms[187]. The growing plant is said to inhibit the growth of fennel, sage, caraway, anise and most young plants, especially in wet years[14, 18, 20]. Wormwood is a good companion for carrots, however, helping to protect them from root fly[201]. 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[244]. The scent of the plant attracts dogs[169]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. Special Features:
Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Naturalizing, Suitable for dried flowers.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Plant Propagation
Seed - surface sow from late winter to early summer in a greenhouse. The seed usually germinates within 2 - 26 weeks at 15°c[134]. 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.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Range
TEMPERATE ASIA: Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation-Western Siberia (Western Siberia), Russian Federation-Eastern Siberia (Eastern Siberia), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, China (Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu (north)) TROPICAL ASIA: India (Jammu and Kashmir) EUROPE: Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Russian Federation (European part), Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Moldova, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Croatia, Italy, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Algeria, Morocco
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
This plant can be weedy or invasive. Noxious Weed Information: Colorado (absinth wormwood) B list (noxious weeds). North Dakota (absinth wormwood) Noxious weed. Washington (absinth wormwood) Class C noxious weed.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed.
| Related Plants
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| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Artemisia abrotanum | Southernwood | Shrub | 1.2 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | DM | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Artemisia annua | Qing Hao, Sweet sagewort | Annual | 3.0 |
6-9
| F | LM | SN | DM | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| Artemisia anomala | | Perennial | 1.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 0 | 2 | |
| Artemisia argyi | | Perennial | 1.5 |
-
| | LM | SN | DM | 0 | 2 | |
| Artemisia biennis | Biennial Wormwood | Annual/Biennial | 1.0 |
0-0
| | LM | SN | DM | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Artemisia campestris | Field Southernwood | Perennial | 1.5 |
4-8
| | LM | SN | DM | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Artemisia campestris glutinosa | | Perennial | 1.5 |
-
| | LM | SN | DM | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Artemisia capillaris | Yin Chen Hao | Shrub | 0.5 |
6-9
| | LM | SN | DM | 1 | 3 | |
| Artemisia caruifolia | | Annual | 1.0 |
-
| | LM | SN | DM | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Artemisia cina | Cina, Santonica | Shrub | 1.0 |
0-0
| | LM | S | DM | 0 | 3 | |
| Artemisia dracunculoides | Russian Tarragon, Tarragon, French Tarragon | Perennial | 1.0 |
5-8
| M | LM | SN | DM | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Artemisia dracunculus | Tarragon, French Tarragon | Perennial | 0.6 |
5-9
| M | LM | SN | DM | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Artemisia filifolia | Sand Sage, Sand sagebrush | Shrub | 1.2 |
3-7
| | LM | SN | DM | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Artemisia frigida | Fringed Wormwood, Prairie sagewort | Perennial | 0.3 |
3-10
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Artemisia glacialis | Glacier Wormwood | Perennial | 0.2 |
4-8
| | LMH | N | DM | 1 | 2 | |
| Artemisia gmelinii | Russian Wormwood, Gmelin's wormwood | Perennial | 1.5 |
3-7
| | LMH | N | DM | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Artemisia indica | | Annual/Perennial | 1.2 |
6-9
| | LM | SN | DM | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| Artemisia japonica | | Perennial | 1.0 |
7-10
| | LMH | SN | DM | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Artemisia keiskeana | | Perennial | 0.6 |
-
| | LMH | SN | DM | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Artemisia laciniata | Siberian wormwood | Perennial | 0.0 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | DM | 1 | 0 | |
| Artemisia lactiflora | White Mugwort | Perennial | 1.5 |
4-8
| S | LMH | SN | M | 0 | 2 | |
| Artemisia lancea | | Perennial | 1.2 |
-
| | LMH | SN | DM | 1 | 1 | |
| Artemisia ludoviciana | White Sage, Louisiana Sage, Prairie Sage, Western Mugwort | Perennial | 1.0 |
4-9
| M | LM | SN | DM | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Artemisia ludoviciana gnaphalodes | White Sage | Perennial | 1.0 |
4-8
| | LM | SN | DM | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Artemisia maritima | Sea Wormwood | Shrub | 0.6 |
6-9
| | LM | N | DM | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Artemisia mexicana | Mexican White Sagebrush | Perennial | 1.0 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 0 | 1 | |
| Artemisia michauxiana | Mountain Sagewort, Michaux's wormwood | Perennial | 0.5 |
3-7
| | LM | SN | DM | 1 | 1 | |
| Artemisia monophylla | | Perennial | 1.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | DM | 1 | 0 | |
| Artemisia montana | | Perennial | 1.8 |
-
| | LMH | SN | DM | 1 | 0 | |
|
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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
L.
Botanical References
17200
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Subject : Artemisia absinthium
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