Common Wormwood

Description:

This herb has a very strong menthol aroma and bright blue/silver foliage making it very conspicuous whenever you are near it. It's sweet aroma is contrasted by its especially bitter taste.

Habitat:

Nearly any open area, waste areas, disturbed soil, roadsides, fields and meadows. Seems to favor partial shade and sandy soil.

Notes:

This herbs has several medicinal uses. It can be taken internally to remove parasitic worms, which is the use for which it earned its name. It can be used as a stimulating tonic and digestive invigorator. It also has anti-inflammatory properties. Research is even finding wormwood extracts, when combined with iron, to be an effective treatment option for breast cancer. Killing 98% of cancer cells in studies, while leaving normal cells unharmed. One of this plants essential oils, thujone, is the active ingredient in the alcoholic beverage absinthe, which is banned in many countries due to its addictive nature and neurological toxicity when imbibed in high amounts. It is also used as flavoring in bitters and vermouth. In gardening it serves well to repel parasitic insects and worms.