Papaya - a world class meat tenderizer, natural digestive aid, prevents ulcers, and also a soft contact lense cleaner.Artemisia Absinthium - COMPOSITAE - Wormwood, Absinthe, Maddenoori, Mugioorl
Artemisia Absinthium
COMPOSITAE
wormwood, absinthe, maddenoori, mugioorl, mingworl, old woman
Many of the plants of this book, while now native, are introductions from Europe, often having been brought here for medicinal purposes. The wormwood is one of these plants, but it has not found the entire country congenial territory. It may be seen only along the roadsides and in pastures in the northern tier of states, westward to the plains.
This herb belongs to the Daisy family and grows up to three feet high, with odorous, grayish green, finely cut leaves. The leaves and flowering tops are gathered and dried in August and September. They are used commercially as flavoring for the liquor absinthe; with other herbs as a constituent of vermouth; and somewhat, in times past, for flavoring beer. Botanically it is closely related to A. dracunculus, known to all good cooks as tarragon.
Although wormwood has been generally recommended for many purposes, it should be noted that in concentrated form the volatile oil is a violent narcotic poison. As a drug, wormwood has disappeared from the pharmacopoeias, but it is still considered an aromatic bitter, diaphoretic, and flavoring agent, with the properties of a febrifuge, anthelmintic, and antiseptic.
In home medicine, wormwood is taken as an infusion of the crushed tops in 1 cup of boiling water, a tablespoonful at a time during the day. Grieve’s Herbal says that “a light infusion of the tops of the plants, used fresh, is excellent for all disorders of the stomach, creating an appetite, promoting digestion, and preventing sickness after meals, but producing a contrary effect if used too strong.”
Because of the strong smell of the foliage, wormwood was used in medieval times as a “strewing herb” for churches and public places, and, in chance encounters, this biting perfume is delightful. No herb garden should be without a plant or two. Value is ascribed to it as a repellent for moths and as a flea-chaser. In short, wormwood is an ancient and reputable herb with many uses, but one which should not be taken without knowledge of its poisonous qualities.