Wormwood is a herbaceous plant, whose scientific name is Artemisa Absinthium, which is characterized by its medicinal properties and bitter taste.
Wormwood is a plant of the genus Artemisia and is native to the temperate regions of Europe, Asia and North Africa.
This herbaceous plant is known as wormwood in Mexico, Spain and other countries in Europe and Latin America.
On the other hand, wormwood or absinthe is known as an alcoholic beverage, also known as “green fairy”. This drink spread throughout Europe, the United States and South America and, hallucinogenic effects are attributed to it.
This drink composed of wormwood is very toxic to the nervous system, so in many countries its sale and consumption is prohibited.
The term wormwood can be used as a synonym for absinthe, absinthe, among others.
Wormwood characteristics
The main characteristics of wormwood are:
- It is a plant with woody and hard rhizome.
- Its stems are straight and can grow between 80 and 120 centimeters tall.
- It has leaves are grayish green above and white on the back, which are covered by silvery white hairs with oil-making glands.
- It has pale yellow flowers that bloom between the beginning of summer until autumn begins.
- Its pollination is carried out with the help of the wind, that is, anemophilia pollination.
Medicinal properties of wormwood
Wormwood is a plant that has various medicinal properties, as long as it is properly administered, since it also has a series of contradictions that can negatively affect the health of the consumer.
Properties
- It is used to treat liver and gallbladder dysfunctions.
- If consumed as tea or oil, it increases appetite and secretion of gastric juices.
- It is suitable for liver failure and viral hepatitis.
- It is used as a purgative and to relieve the pain of gastritis.
- It acts on the uterus and stimulates menstruation. It is also administered by women who have irregular and painful menstrual cycles.
- The oil obtained from wormwood is used to improve blood circulation.
- Wormwood may be beneficial for treating malaria or malaria.
- Wormwood can also be used as an insect, flea and moth repellent due to its particular smell.
- After several experiments it has been shown that the wormwood plant can reduce sugar levels and can be used, under medical supervision, in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Contraindications
- Wormwood has abortive effects.
- It can have a toxic and convulsive effect.
- In some cases, the consumption of wormwood produces headaches, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, restlessness and vertigo.
Wormwood in the bible
In Jewish tradition, according to the Old Testament, wormwood is considered a poisonous plant that, combined with water is pure poison.
Therefore, the term wormwood is observed in the bible in the book Revelation8: 11, to name a star that falls from the sky burning like a torch, over rivers and springs, causing the death of numerous men to transform the waters into bitter in order to punish sinners.
