Artemisia Absinthium,
This herb, also commonly known as wormwood or mugworth, is immortalized in history as being one of the most valued in the world, with a volatile essential oil extract from the leaves and roots.
An interesting fact about this herb is it actually identified as a noxious weed. An ancient Egyptian papyrus, dating back to 1600 B.C., had cited the herb as a health tonic and a stimulant.
The father of medicine, Hippocrates, prescribed herbal remedies made from Artemisia to relieve pain due to menstruation and arthritis, and used it on his treatments for anemic patients.
The active ingredient of this herb is called thujone. When this is chemically pure, it becomes a colorless liquid with menthol aroma. Thujone is extensively used by many pharmaceutical products, one of which is Vicks Vaporub.
Aside from its healing properties, this green food coloring herb is also known for being a vital ingredient in the potent drink absinthe.
It has is also used in the creation of many popular liquors such as Vermouth, Benedictine and Chartreuse. Rice cakes in Japan use the Artemisia herb to tint it green.
It is also used for its distinct bitter sweet flavor like as a roast stuffing ingredient and in beer making. Though it is used in culinary preparations, the intake of Artemisia in herbal drinks should be limited due to its toxic nature.
Herb Description A perennial herb that can grow up to 8 feet high that has daisy-like pale yellow or reddish flowers. It has purplish stems and smooth, dark green leaves covered with fine hair like structures.
The roots of these plants can grow up to 8 inches long and are woody. The light brown root exterior is similar to tree bark and the interior is whitish in color.
Cultivation and Care A hardy plant that can tolerate slight drought, it thrives in full sun and can tolerate partial shade. It is ideally planted in heavy clay that has been amended with humus and sand.
The regular addition of composting material and bone meal is recommended. The plant prefers soil with an alkaline pH ranging from 4.8 to 8.2.
The woody roots of this plant secrete a certain chemical that inhibits the growth of other plants around it. This is a unique weed-like characteristic of the Artemisia herb.
This root secretion deters other plants from surviving beside it by poisoning the ground.
The way the herb places chemicals into the soil has made it listed as a noxious weed, as the poisonous nature of its roots is treacherous to other plants.
This is truly a fascinating fact that a healing plant would ensure that it has sole ownership of the area it grows and eliminate the any competing plants for the soil nutrients.
They can be planted in exclusive plots or in individual large containers.
The plant propagates by seed and is sown. Left on its own, the seeds are carried by the wind. Seeds can be surface sown when the snow begins to melt until early in the summer. Cover the seeds lightly with compost.
If the seeds are started indoors, the shoots are transplanted into individual pots when they have reached the height of 5 inches. These are transferred outdoors when the roots are established. It can also be propagated by tip cutting that can be done before winter.
Pruning can be done by pinch off the top when the plant is established. This will encourage bushy growth. Prune back after the blooming period to encourage new growth and develop the root system.
The leaves are harvested for its volatile oil. Harvesting is done when the flowers are in full bloom. The roots are harvested in the autumn. The drying process for the roots is to wash them in cold water.
The rootlets are removed before being dried. If the roots are dried to the core and ready to be stored, it will break when bent.
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