Artemisia Absinthium
Zone 3
Canada Cold Hardiness
Grows to100 cm tall and 100 cm wide
Artemisia Absinthium is a perennial that belongs to the Asteraceae
or Compositae family, more commonly known as the daisy family. This Artemisia plant releases an aromatic odor and has a spicy, bitter
taste. Many species of the Artemisia family tend to have medicinal properties. Its name stems from its use as an
anti-parasitic herb. Wormwood as a medicinal herb has been used for thousands
of years. It has been shown to improve Crohn's disease, digestion, the immune
system function, and even help to treat pain, including arthritis pain.
Wormwood
Benefits
Crohn's
Disease
Wormwood’s use has shown promising results in Crohn's Disease that is an inflammatory condition of
the digestive system that causes symptoms of intense stomach pain, diarrhea,
and tiredness.
Parasites
Treatments drawn from compounds in wormwood have
been used to treat parasites such as pinworm, roundworm, and tapeworms which can
infect the intestines and cause digestive health problems.
Digestion
Wormwood can boost appetite and help produce
saliva, other digestive enzymes, or proteins that help with metabolism and
support healthy digestion.
Wormwood can also help with gastrointestinal
symptoms such as gas, bloating, heartburn, stomach pain, constipation, and
diarrhea and reduce spasms in the intestines and stomach.
Pain
Management
Wormwood can improve pain and reduce swelling in
the body. People who took 300 mg per day said their pain levels were better.
Arthritis
and Immune Support
Inflammation is linked to many long-term diseases,
acute and chronic pain, and reduced immune function. Artemisia —a compound found in wormwood—may
help. It stops the body from making cytokines, a kind of protein that causes
inflammation and plays a role in autoimmune diseases.
Some people use wormwood to relieve the pain and
swelling caused by rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disorder marked by
chronic inflammation of the joints, hands, and feet. Those taking the wormwood
reported significant joint pain relief, with wormwood found to be safer than
some common drugs used to treat RA.
People with knee pain found that putting 3%
wormwood ointment on sore joints reduced pain and improved physical function with
osteoarthritis.
Possible
Side Effects of Wormwood
Wormwood is relatively safe for short-term use of
two to four weeks by adults, and it has been used longer-term at lesser doses
upward of 10 weeks.
Unaltered wormwood contains a chemical compound in
it called thujone which can become toxic, even in small amounts, and this herb should
be consumed with caution. Because of this, wormwood should have less than 5ppm
thujone per dose.
Because wormwood contains ingredients that may
cause toxic effects, people with certain medical conditions should not take
wormwood.
Though wormwood is safe for most adults to use for
a short time, it is important to discuss using it with your doctor and
pharmacist. In some cases, it may not be taken along with certain drugs.
Wormwood is not safe for children.
Wormwood
Dosage and Preparation
Wormwood is usually used as a tea. Dried (not
fresh) leaves can be used to make wormwood tea.
Wormwood tea recipe:
Wormwood may also be used as an extract and, in
some cases, applied to the skin as an essential oil that can be used for
inflammation and pain.
Growing seeds
The best time to plant wormwood is in the spring, after the last frost has passed. You can start
seeds indoors, about six weeks before the last frost date in your area. Sow the
seeds on the surface of moistened potting mix or soil and cover with a thin
layer of sand.
Or, start
the seeds of wormwood either in late summer or late winter. The seeds favor
moderate temperature for best germinate rates. Wait until the last frost of the
winter has passed before planting the seeds.
Select a
spot in your garden that gets full sun and break the soil. Mix in about one
inch of organic materials in the top 4 inches of the soil and let it rest for a
few days.
Spread
the seeds on top of the soil with your hand trying to make them as even as
possible. Don’t cover the seeds since they need sunlight to germinate.
Water the
soil to get it moist. Use a light sprinkler so that you don’t sweep the tiny
seeds away with the water.
The seeds
usually germinate between 2 to 4 weeks after planting them depending on the
temperature of the soil and the amount of sunlight they get.
Wait for
the plants to develop the first two leaves then thin them out. Space the plants
about 18 inches.
Wormwood Care
As a hardy herb, wormwood grows easily and has a
high tolerance for different types of soil, and weather conditions,
Soil
Wormwood prefers well-drained, moderately rich, and
loamy soil. It doesn’t like clay soil with its high-water retention. To test
the structure and tilth of the soil, clasp your hand over a fistful of the soil
and see if it turns into a clump. Dense soil that compacts easily has more clay
than silt or sand. To remedy that soil, mix it with perlite or vermiculite
until you have the right texture. Also, make sure the soil pH is 5.5-7.5.
Although the herb can grow in just about any soil pH, you should adjust the
soil to make it as neutral or slightly acidic as possible.
Light
Grow it in full sun or partial shade. If you’re
growing the herb in a container, keep it facing the south.
Water
It’ favors dryer soil over damp one. You don’t need
to keep the soil moist. In fact, you should let the topsoil dry out before you
water it again.
Pests and Diseases
Not only are wormwood herbs immune to regular pests
and bugs, they actually chase them away from the garden. This is why people
grow this aromatic herb near veggies to keep insects away. Wildlife also steers
clear from a garden where this herb is growing.
Harvesting Wormwood
Wormwood herbs become ready to harvest only after
they have been established. This usually takes about two years. Before reaching
maturity, the plants are not strong enough, and harvesting the leaves and stems
could put them under a lot of stress.
Note: It is up
to the buyer to verify nutritional and health benefits with a qualified professional
for all edible plants listed.
Seeds are fresh, untreated,
open-pollinated for seed saving, and organic.
You will receive a package of 200
seeds.
FREE SHIPPING THE SAME DAY
OR THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY!
Due to the nature of our
products, seed germination rates may vary depending on storage and growth
conditions. Some varieties have a naturally low germination rate, at around
50%. When a variety has a lower germination rate, it is usually indicated on
the packet and we endeavor to provide more seeds to compensate. The vast
majority of our seeds have germination rates of over 85%. We work hard to
provide you with the best service possible.