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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen,yellowish
| name = ''Artemisia absinthium''
| image = Artemisia absinthium P1210748.jpg
| image_caption = ''Artemisia absinthium'' growing wild in the Caucasus
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Asterales]]
| familia = [[Asteraceae]]
| genus = [[Artemisia (plant)|Artemisia]]
| species = '''''A. absinthium'''''
| binomial = ''Artemisia absinthium''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}
'''''Artemisia absinthium''''' ('''Absinthium''', '''Absinthe Wormwood''', '''Wormwood''' or '''Grand Wormwood''') is a species of [[Artemisia (plant)|wormwood]], native to temperate regions of [[Europe]], [[Asia]] and northern [[Africa]].
It is a [[herbaceous]] [[perennial plant]], with a hard, woody [[rhizome]]. The stems are straight, growing to 0.8-1.2 m (rarely 1.5 m) tall, grooved, branched, and silvery-green. The [[leaf|leaves]] are spirally arranged, greenish-grey above and white below, covered with silky silvery-white hairs, and bearing minute oil-producing glands; the basal leaves are up to 25 cm long, bipinnate to tripinnate with long [[Petiole (botany)|petiole]]s, with the cauline leaves (those on the stem) smaller, 5-10 cm long, less divided, and with short petioles; the uppermost leaves can be both simple and sessile (without a petiole). Its [[flower]]s are pale yellow, tubular, and clustered in spherical bent-down [[inflorescence|heads]] (capitula), which are in turn clustered in leafy and branched [[panicle]]s. Flowering is from early summer to early autumn; pollination is [[Pollination|anemophilous]]. The [[fruit]] is a small [[achene]]; seed [[Biological dispersal|dispersal]] is by gravity.
It grows naturally on uncultivated, arid ground, on rocky slopes, and at the edge of footpaths and fields.
==Cultivation and uses==
The plant can easily be cultivated in dry [[soil]]. They should be planted under bright exposure in fertile, mid-weight soil. It prefers soil rich in [[Nitrogen]]. It can be propagated by growth (ripened cuttings taken in March or October in temperate climates) or by seeds in nursery beds. It is [[naturalisation (biology)|naturalised]] in some areas away from its native range, including much of [[North America]].
The plant's characteristic odour can make it useful for making a plant spray against pests. In the practice of [[companion planting]], because of the secretions of its roots, it exerts an inhibiting effect on the growth of surrounding plants, thus weeds. It can be useful to repel insect [[larva]]e but it need only be planted on the edge of the area of cultivation. It has also been used to repel [[flea]]s and [[moth]]s indoors.
It is an ingredient in the liquor [[absinthe]], and also used for flavouring in some other [[distilled beverage|spirits and wines]], such as [[vermouth]] and [[pelinkovac]]. It is also used medically as a [[tonic]], [[stomachic]], [[febrifuge]] and [[anthelmintic]].
===Therapeutic uses===
The leaves and flowering tops are gathered when the plant is in full bloom, and dried naturally or with artificial heat. Its active substances include [[Silicon dioxide|silica]], two bitter elements (absinthine and anabsinthine), [[thujone]], [[Tannin|tannic]] and [[resin]]ous substances, [[malic acid]], and [[succinic acid]]. Although a hallucinogen, its use has been claimed to remedy indigestion and [[gastric pain]], it acts as an [[antiseptic]], and as a [[febrifuge]]. For medicinal use, the herb is used to make a tea for helping pregnant women during pain of labor. A wine can also be made by [[Maceration (wine)|macerating]] the herb. It is also available in powder form and as a [[tincture]]. The oil of the plant can be used as a cardiac stimulant to improve blood circulation. Pure wormwood oil is very poisonous, but with proper dosage poses little or no danger. Wormwood is mostly a stomach medicine. <ref>Lust, John, N.D. "The Herb Book", Bantam Books. 1979. ISBN: 0879040556.</ref>
Absinthium oil is a main ingredient in Absorbine Jr.
==Etymology and folklore==
The word "wormwood" comes from [[Middle English]] "wormwode" or "wermode". The form "wormwood" is influenced by the traditional use as a cure for intestinal worms. An interesting theory attributes the etymology as coming from [[Old English]] "wermōd" (compare with German ''Wermut'' and the derived drink ''[[Vermouth]]''). This probably comes from the word "wer", meaning "man" (as in "werewolf"), plus "mōd", meaning "mood".
See [[Artemisia (plant)]] for its relationship to the [[Book of Revelation]], [[Chernobyl]] and other associations in human culture.
<gallery>
Image:Artemisia absinthium.jpg
Image:Artemisia absinthium NF.jpg
Image:Koeh-164.jpg|19th century illustration
</gallery>
==See Also==
*[[Psychedelic plants]]
==External links==
* [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=5&taxon_id=200023158 Flora of Pakistan: ''Artemisia absinthium'']
* [http://www.oxygenee.com The Virtual Absinthe Museum] - A comprehensive online museum of absinthe history, lore, art and antiques.
* [http://www.erowid.org/plants/wormwood/ Erowid Wormwood Vault]- information on the use and preparation of wormwood, along with user experiences.
==References==
<references/>
{{Commons|Artemisia absinthium}}
[[Category:Artemisia]]
[[Category:Absinthe]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
| color = lightgreen,yellowish
| name = ''Artemisia absinthium''
| image = Artemisia absinthium P1210748.jpg
| image_caption = ''Artemisia absinthium'' growing wild in the Caucasus
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Asterales]]
| familia = [[Asteraceae]]
| genus = [[Artemisia (plant)|Artemisia]]
| species = '''''A. absinthium'''''
| binomial = ''Artemisia absinthium''
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
}}
'''''Artemisia absinthium''''' ('''Absinthium''', '''Absinthe Wormwood''', '''Wormwood''' or '''Grand Wormwood''') is a species of [[Artemisia (plant)|wormwood]], native to temperate regions of [[Europe]], [[Asia]] and northern [[Africa]].
It is a [[herbaceous]] [[perennial plant]], with a hard, woody [[rhizome]]. The stems are straight, growing to 0.8-1.2 m (rarely 1.5 m) tall, grooved, branched, and silvery-green. The [[leaf|leaves]] are spirally arranged, greenish-grey above and white below, covered with silky silvery-white hairs, and bearing minute oil-producing glands; the basal leaves are up to 25 cm long, bipinnate to tripinnate with long [[Petiole (botany)|petiole]]s, with the cauline leaves (those on the stem) smaller, 5-10 cm long, less divided, and with short petioles; the uppermost leaves can be both simple and sessile (without a petiole). Its [[flower]]s are pale yellow, tubular, and clustered in spherical bent-down [[inflorescence|heads]] (capitula), which are in turn clustered in leafy and branched [[panicle]]s. Flowering is from early summer to early autumn; pollination is [[Pollination|anemophilous]]. The [[fruit]] is a small [[achene]]; seed [[Biological dispersal|dispersal]] is by gravity.
It grows naturally on uncultivated, arid ground, on rocky slopes, and at the edge of footpaths and fields.
==Cultivation and uses==
The plant can easily be cultivated in dry [[soil]]. They should be planted under bright exposure in fertile, mid-weight soil. It prefers soil rich in [[Nitrogen]]. It can be propagated by growth (ripened cuttings taken in March or October in temperate climates) or by seeds in nursery beds. It is [[naturalisation (biology)|naturalised]] in some areas away from its native range, including much of [[North America]].
The plant's characteristic odour can make it useful for making a plant spray against pests. In the practice of [[companion planting]], because of the secretions of its roots, it exerts an inhibiting effect on the growth of surrounding plants, thus weeds. It can be useful to repel insect [[larva]]e but it need only be planted on the edge of the area of cultivation. It has also been used to repel [[flea]]s and [[moth]]s indoors.
It is an ingredient in the liquor [[absinthe]], and also used for flavouring in some other [[distilled beverage|spirits and wines]], such as [[vermouth]] and [[pelinkovac]]. It is also used medically as a [[tonic]], [[stomachic]], [[febrifuge]] and [[anthelmintic]].
===Therapeutic uses===
The leaves and flowering tops are gathered when the plant is in full bloom, and dried naturally or with artificial heat. Its active substances include [[Silicon dioxide|silica]], two bitter elements (absinthine and anabsinthine), [[thujone]], [[Tannin|tannic]] and [[resin]]ous substances, [[malic acid]], and [[succinic acid]]. Although a hallucinogen, its use has been claimed to remedy indigestion and [[gastric pain]], it acts as an [[antiseptic]], and as a [[febrifuge]]. For medicinal use, the herb is used to make a tea for helping pregnant women during pain of labor. A wine can also be made by [[Maceration (wine)|macerating]] the herb. It is also available in powder form and as a [[tincture]]. The oil of the plant can be used as a cardiac stimulant to improve blood circulation. Pure wormwood oil is very poisonous, but with proper dosage poses little or no danger. Wormwood is mostly a stomach medicine. <ref>Lust, John, N.D. "The Herb Book", Bantam Books. 1979. ISBN: 0879040556.</ref>
Absinthium oil is a main ingredient in Absorbine Jr.
==Etymology and folklore==
The word "wormwood" comes from [[Middle English]] "wormwode" or "wermode". The form "wormwood" is influenced by the traditional use as a cure for intestinal worms. An interesting theory attributes the etymology as coming from [[Old English]] "wermōd" (compare with German ''Wermut'' and the derived drink ''[[Vermouth]]''). This probably comes from the word "wer", meaning "man" (as in "werewolf"), plus "mōd", meaning "mood".
See [[Artemisia (plant)]] for its relationship to the [[Book of Revelation]], [[Chernobyl]] and other associations in human culture.
<gallery>
Image:Artemisia absinthium.jpg
Image:Artemisia absinthium NF.jpg
Image:Koeh-164.jpg|19th century illustration
</gallery>
==See Also==
*[[Psychedelic plants]]
==External links==
* [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=5&taxon_id=200023158 Flora of Pakistan: ''Artemisia absinthium'']
* [http://www.oxygenee.com The Virtual Absinthe Museum] - A comprehensive online museum of absinthe history, lore, art and antiques.
* [http://www.erowid.org/plants/wormwood/ Erowid Wormwood Vault]- information on the use and preparation of wormwood, along with user experiences.
==References==
<references/>
{{Commons|Artemisia absinthium}}
[[Category:Artemisia]]
[[Category:Absinthe]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
