wormwood

any of various plants of the chiefly N temperate genus Artemisia, esp A. absinthium, a European plant yielding a bitter extract used in making absinthe: family Asteraceae (composites)

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

wormwood

Silvery-green leaves with fine hairs on each side and tiny drooping flowers. Extremely bitter tasting, which helps digestion and stimulates liver. Famous for expelling intestinal worms (hence the name). Helps liver and gallbladder. Contains Thujone, used to make absynthe, an intoxicant. Toxic if taken continually. May cause nightmares and nervous disorders. Thujone and Isothujone makes it one of the most powerful tools in the parasite-killing herb kingdom. Most effective against roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and pinworms. Also contains santonin, an effective remedy for parasitic diseases. Wormwood is the second most bitter herb known. Proven as a powerful remedy for malaria. Wormwood also contains sesquiterpene lactones, which work similarly to peroxide by weakening the parasites membranes and killing them. Also helps produce bile, which in turn helps the liver and gallbladder. Good for Crohn’s Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, joint pain, digestive discomfort, loss of appetite, insomnia, epilepsy, and menstrual problems. The leaves and flowers, and the essential oil extracted from them, are the parts used medicinally. Wormwood should not be used by young children, pregnant or nursing women, or people with severe liver or kidney disease. Place wormwood leaves inside sleeping pillows of dogs and cats to keep fleas and ticks away.

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References in periodicals archive

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Beyond proud

STAFF at Wormwood Scrubs prison have returned to work after staging a short demonstration over health and safety concerns.

Protesting prison staff back at work

Vega Jane; her best friend, Delph; and her dog have left their village of Wormwood behind and crossed into the hostile territory known as the Quag.

Baldacci, David. The Keeper: Vega Jane, Book 2

Among these entities, there is none more dangerous to the human race than the mad angel Wormwood. Shunned by both heaven and hell, he dreams a future for Earth to rival his greatest triumph: the Fall of Rome and the Dark Ages that followed.

Bitter Waters

No one has ever left Wormwood, but no one has ever wanted to as the Quag that borders the village is too dangerous.

Baldacci, David: The Finisher