Botanical Profile
Wormwood is a classic European bitter and aromatic plant of the Asteraceae family. The silvery-grey perennial is particularly known for its bitter herb and characteristic essential oil.
Artemisia absinthium L. develops upright, branched stems, finely divided, felted leaves and yellowish flower heads in loose panicles. The dense pubescence gives the plant its silvery-grey appearance. Wormwood prefers dry, calcareous soils and sunny sites along roadsides, embankments and ruderal areas. Pharmacognostically, the flowering herb, Absinthii herba, is used.
Phytochemistry
The composition of wormwood is characterised by bitter sesquiterpene lactones and essential oil. The bitter constituents include absinthin and anabsinthin. Depending on origin, the essential oil contains thujone, thujol, pinene, camphene and other mono- and sesquiterpenes. Flavonoids, phenolic acids and tannins have also been described. Historically, thujone has been of particular scientific and regulatory interest in connection with absinthe.
Traditional Uses
Wormwood is one of Europe’s most traditional bitter plants. Ancient sources, medieval herbals and monastic medicine describe the plant extensively. EMA/HMPC, WHO, ESCOP and the European Pharmacopoeia list Artemisia absinthium as a bitter herbal material. In cultural history, wormwood is also associated with the production of bitter herbal beverages and absinthe.
Current Research
Research on wormwood investigates bitter fractions, essential-oil profiles, thujone levels, sesquiterpene lactones and chemotaxonomic questions within the genus Artemisia. Further work addresses cultivation, harvesting, storage, authentication and quality control of botanical raw materials.
Sources
- EMA/HMPC: European Union herbal monograph on Artemisia absinthium L., herba.
- WHO: WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants – Absinthii herba.
- ESCOP: ESCOP Monographs – Artemisia absinthium.
- European Pharmacopoeia: Absinthii herba.
- Standard reference: Wichtl M. Teedrogen und Phytopharmaka – Wermut.
Notice
The information presented in this botanical profile has been compiled to the best of our knowledge and belief from botanical, phytochemical, historical and scientific sources. It is intended solely for general professional information and initial orientation.
The content does not constitute an assurance of specific properties, effects, qualities or possible uses of products or extracts. In particular, it does not constitute a guarantee, a statement of suitability, or a statement regarding marketability, permissibility or usability in specific applications or markets.
Assessment of the suitability of a raw material or extract for a particular intended use, as well as compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements, is the sole responsibility of the respective user.
Notice
The information presented in this botanical profile has been compiled to the best of our knowledge and belief from botanical, phytochemical, historical and scientific sources. It is intended solely for general professional information and initial orientation.
The content does not constitute any assurance of specific properties, effects, qualities or possible uses of products or extracts. In particular, it does not constitute a guarantee, a statement of suitability, or any statement regarding marketability, regulatory permissibility or usability in specific applications or markets.
Assessment of the suitability of a raw material or extract for a specific intended use, as well as compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements, is the sole responsibility of the respective user.