Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)

Perennial herbaceous plant which year after year and after drying in the cold season to get him back to grow new branches in spring, branches that do not measure more than three feet high. These new stems are straight and some ramifications, but the most characteristic is its white appearance, like the rest of the plant, due to the hair that covers it in its entirety, including the leaves. It is found in mountainous areas of the peninsula, wet places, often in old plantations, common enough in antiquity.

FLOWERING

We can find absinthe in flower between July and September. The flowers, small and yellow, are more striking because it brings together more than thirty in a chapter rounded, thus seeming much larger. These are protected by a series of bracts. Harvesting should be done in summer, once the plant is to open new chapters or about to open, it proceeds to pick the flowering tops and to make a drying as quickly as possible, always sheltered from the sun, preserving the sample after moisture by appropriate means.

APPLICATIONS

The plant is rich in essential oils including thujone and is tuyol, possessing carminative properties, facilitating digestion, deworming, antibiotic and emmenagogue. While it should be noted that the thujone in high doses, leading to seizures, so not suitable for continuous use since it can cause nervous disorders, stomach and liver, and therefore not recommended for use of the essence. It is mainly used as an antispasmodic gynecological, hence it is contraindicated in pregnant women. We also found absinthine bitter principles as tannins and potassium salts, responsible for its popular use as an appetizer and is very curious use in the manufacture of vermouth, a name derived from its description in German. It also presents choleretic properties, so it is used in biliary dyskinesias.

ADMINISTRATION

Infusion. It is prepared with seven grams of plant sumidad florida on one liter of water and boiled, leaving it in contact for fifteen minutes. De esta preparación se puede tomar un máximo de dos vasos al día como aperitivo.
Powder. La dosis máxima es de tres gramos al día, empleándose como aperitivo o antitérmico. In more-for a total of 8 grams per day, can be used as an anthelmintic against pinworms.
Tincture. Se pueden añadir 15 gotas a una infusión de menta o anís, para tomar tres veces al día fuera de las comidas.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Composite tubulifloras
HABITAT: Mountain Country
FLOWERING: July
PART USED: Leaves and flower tips
CASTILIAN: Absintio
CATALAN: Encens
BASQUE: Azentzu
GALICIAN: Axenxo

USES

Moderate Carminative, Appetizer Leve, Mild antibiotic.