Family Name: Compositae
Botanical Name(s): Artemisia Abrotanum
Popular Name(s): Wormwood, Absinthium, Green Ginger, Absinthe
and Southernwood
Parts Used: Leaves or flowering tops.
Habitat: Native to Europe, N. Africa and Western Asia.
Description: The plant grows from 2 to 4 feet in height. The
numerous flower heads are short-stemmed and hang in a many-flowered
panicle. The capitula are small, globular, inclined and 3 to 4 mm wide
and almost as long. The bracts are gray, silky-pubescent with a rounded
tip. The flowers are yellow and fertile. The fruit is about 1.5 mm long.
Uses: The chief use of Southernwood is as an emmenagogue. It is
a good stimulant tonic and possesses some nervine principle. Used for
indigestion, especially when due to a deficient quantity or quality of
gastric juice. It is a powerful remedy in the treatment of worm
infestations, especially roundworm and pinworm. It may also be used to
help the body deal with fever and infections. It benefits the body in
general.
