Scientific Name: Artemisia absinthium
Plant Family: Asteraceae
Part Used: Leaves, flowers and roots
Actions: Antimalarial, antimicrobial, antiparasitic
Energetics: Slightly cooling and drying
Preparations: Capsule, tablet, infusion, tincture, alcoholic beverage (Absinthe)
Cautions: The active ingredient is thujone which can be toxic in large doses or with prolonged use. Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Medicinal Uses: Digestive bitter also used for indigestion, gas, bloating and for expelling parasitic worms such as roundworms or pinworms.
Historically used as a strewing herb and as Absinthe – an anise-flavoured distilled spirit derived from botanicals, including the flowers and leaves of Artemisia absinthium, anise, sweet fennel, coriander seeds, hyssop, angelica roots and sometimes lemon balm and spearmint.
In 18th century literature, Absinthe is known as as The Green Fairy (la fée verte).
