What is wormwood?

Artemisia Absinthium, or Wormwood, was used for centuries as insecticide and as a remedy to  exterminate moths and ban snails. Before became known that Wormwood is poisonous -as the name "wormwood" conveys- the plant was used for deworming people and animals. Wormwood is basically known in the form of the alcoholic drink Absinthe. This green colored drink is illegal in some countries. Artists in Eastern Europe and France used the drink as a stimulant. It is said that even Vincent van Gogh cut off his ear under the influence of Absinthe.

Effects

The effect of Wormwood is narcotic, sightly anaesthethizing. Wormwood also gives a peaceful and reassuring feeling. When wormwood is being used in combination with alcohol, or when it is consumed in large quantities, a hallucinatory effect can occur. Wormwood is suitable to be drunk as tea. This tea has a healing effect in the case of a common flu or a contagious disease. When Wormwood is being consumed in small quantities, it acts as a remedy for colds, rheumatism and tapeworms. It also increases the appetite, if consumed in small quantities.

Application

The least dangerous and most common way of administring Wormwood, is via tincture tea. Its very bitter taste, makes this tea almost undrinkable. The plant contains psychoactive substances which can be extracted through alcohol.
Let 25 grams of Wormwood herb soar in half a litre of spirits for one week. After this week , you filter the herbs out of the spirits and the strong drink is ready for use. Be careful with this drink and start with a small glass in order to regulate the effects. Not much can be done to reduce the bitter taste.
Tip: add some leaves of peppermint, or aniseed, to the tea. Sweet and bitter don't match, so don't add sugar.

By mixing wormwood with equal parts of wild lettuce, ruta graveolens and one eighth of a peppermintleave, you have a mix which can be smoked as a cigarette. By using a sigarette filter, you'll prevent the bitter taste coming on your lips, or entering into your mounth.

Alsemthee is being made by adding half a teaspoon (2.5 to 5 grams) of herb to a cup of boiling water. Let the substance soar for 10 to 15 minutes.
According to your wishes you can mix the herb with peppermintleaves or aniseed. Don't add sugar: sweet and bitter don't match. Drink the tea three times a day, but no longer than four subsequent weeks.

Warnings

Wormwood is toxic and can be addictive when used  intensively or during a long period. Besides, long and intensive use can cause physical and psychological damage, tensions, restlessness and cramps. A high dose has a psychoactivating and paralysing effect and can cause headaches and dizziness. An overdose f wormwood can cause problems with the bowel movements and can lead to unconsciousness and in the worst case to coma or even death. When you've made the absinthe, first try a small glass of the drink. Then wait at least one hour to give yourself time to become aware of the effects.

Wait until the next occasion before you try wormwoord again. You'd better take little than using too much. The risk of poisoning or becoming ill is very high in case of excessive use. Wormwood has effect on your skills: abstain from taking part in the trafic when you're under the influence of wormwood.

Side effects

Regular use of Wormwood can be addictive. Wormwood contains the poisonous substance with the name 'glycoside'. The oil in this substance suppresses the central nervous system. When wormwood is being used longer than four weeks, or if more than the recommended dosage is taken, the following physical symptoms may occur: nausea, insomnia, restlessness, dizziness, vibrations, or even a stroke. Excessive use can lead to tensions and convulsions and can have a narcotic effect. Besides, wormwood can cause an allergic reaction and in that case contact with Wormwood can pass on to Dermatitis. NWhen wormwood was used for less than four weeks, no significant side effects were observed.

Breeding

Via its seeds wormwood can be bred in quite a simple way. Spread the seeds on a surface in an enclosed space, such as a living room. The seeds can be moved outwards when they have germinated and under the condition that there is no chance on frost.  Make sure that the cuttings are at least about half a meter apart from each other. Wormwood can grow on sober grounds and grows both in the sun and in the shade. The soil should be dry and be well drained. Do not forget to cut bush in the autumn. There are types of wormwood that sleep in the summer and have a new growingboosts when temperature falls. This is particularly the case with the type named 'Zilverrug'. Watch out: do not plant Artemisia near anise, beans, fennel, kwarwij or sage. The Wormwood reaches a height of about two meters.