Herbs have a mystical and magical quality to those of us who dabble in plants; imagining a plant, a little slip of greenery, flower, or earthy root at our fingertips that possesses the botanical ability to alter one’s biology is awe-inspiring. Sometimes when I check on the garden there is an uninvited guest (otherwise known as a weed) that I typically allow to grow until I can identify it and gauge whether it will become a useful addition. One such surprise was an artemisia absinthia, more commonly known as wormwood and a cousin of common mugwort (artemisia vulgaris).
Wormwood, as the name implies, does have antiparasitic qualities. It has been used to treat intestinal worms, for digestion issues, and is anti-inflammatory.[1] Artemisia absinthe is also used in anti-malarial medicine and there is some evidence that it can be used in Cancer treatments.[2] It can have some serious side-effects though if used incorrectly or in excess.[3]
Wormwood is probably best known for its anise flavoring, which is the dominant profile of Absinthe and vermouth. Absinthe was the preferred (and national) drink of 19th-century France (think Van Gogh). It was both cheap and high in alcohol content. [4] As someone who recently started a retail beverage business focusing on non-alcoholic or alternative drinks, wormwood has now piqued my interest. Are botanical beverage brands using it?
It would seem that some are. Two brands on the alternative drinks market that use wormwood are Melati[5] and Rasavada[6]. Both are restorative drinks, meaning they intend to improve health and well-being. Melati boasts a traditional Southeast Asian formula from 1293 while Rasavada is more modern, although still based in traditional Chinese medicine. If you like anise, the wormwood flavor is evident in both.
I like that as new beverage markets emerge and people are choosing to explore non-alcoholic drinks, herbs (and health) are at the forefront. Like many herbs, wormwood is considered invasive, however, perhaps if you cannot beat them, find a way to harness their power. As noted on Garden Herbs’ page:
"What savour is better, if physic be true,For places infected, than wormwood and rue."[7]
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