Absinthium is a member of the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is a perennial herb that grows to about four feet tall and has a cluster of aromatic flowers. The plant grows mainly in dry coastal plains of western Africa, in the Sahara Desert and in parts of Morocco. The genus Absinthium contains more than two hundred species. The plant forms a large family among the plants of the mint family, the family that includes peppermint, spearmint gum. The scientific name, Solanaceae, includes several members of the Absinthaceae family, with the most common members being leucotomos, ganoderma, solanaceae, valeriana and panax.
Absinthium has a long history of use as an aromatic herb, particularly in culinary and aromatherapy applications. It has been used since ancient times as an effective natural remedy for improving appetite, digestion, nervousness and sleep, as well as for treating such things as intestinal worms and flatulence. The genus Absinthium is comprised of over one hundred species, many of which are ornamental. Modern research has shown that absinthium has multiple applications. For instance, it is an antifungal, antiviral, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, sedative and anti-inflammatory agent; it is an analgesic, stimulant, stomachic, and intestinal depressant; an expectorant, bronchodilator and demulcent; and an insecticide.
In the United States, absinthium is commonly used in herbal remedies for relieving stress, anxiety, colds and flu, improving memory and stimulating the appetite. It is also used to treat a range of conditions such as sore throat, sore jaw, asthma, colitis, congestion, hair loss, epilepsy, high blood pressure, varicose veins and liver disease. Many of these conditions, however, may be attributed to a lack of antioxidants in the body. An entire chapter is devoted to the topic, called “Absinthium: The Antioxidant Specialist.” In Europe, Absinthe dioica is the essential oil used most often in conjunction with other herbs, with the absinthium being listed after the other herbs. In Japan, however, the oil is marketed under several names, including “Ogon,” “Kuro-tsuri,” “Horie” and “Soyu.”
The plant is a perennial shrub or vine, climbing only a few feet tall and spreading up to twelve feet wide, with a gray, cream or yellowish leaves. Its flowers are large and pendulous, and the plant’s fruit hangs in bunches. Wormwood, which has a similar floral and fruit appearance, is another common species. Both varieties are grown for their essential oils, with wormwood being the more popular of the two in North America. In Europe, however, absinthium is used mainly for its wormwood extract.
In its essential oil, artemisia absinthium has a fruity fragrance, reminiscent of cherry blossoms. It has a diffuse floral scent and is quite sweet overall, with the flavor usually being rather pungent. For this reason, wormwood is often added to other fragrances for a deeper, oriental scent. Essential oils produced from wormwood include absinthe, gardenias, heliotrope, jasmine, rose hip, Rosemary, sandalwood and vanilla.
In studies, thujone seems to have some anti-viral activity in the laboratory. In tests, flies were injected with a variety of viruses, some of which they may not otherwise be able to resist. Those that were injected with the herb appeared to be less susceptible to several viruses, including the hepatitis B virus, the human immunodeficiency virus and the Epstein-Barr virus. It may fight off bacteria, too, such as Shigella and E. coli.
In addition, the herb may fight against free radicals, since it contains at least four different types of antioxidants. While not every variety of thujone will provide protection against each type, the majority will. One of the antioxidants is quercetin, which seems to be the most effective. Quercetin also appears to be an anti-inflammatory, which is useful for arthritis and rheumatism.
While not completely clear, absinthium appears to help reduce cholesterol levels in some people. Some studies have shown that there are anti-adiponectin antibodies in blood samples from people using wormwood. Whether the effect is a true anti-adiponectin or simply a side effect is not known. It is, however, very interesting to know that both quercetin and artemisia absinthium have strong antioxidant properties. With further research, we may learn more about the health benefits of these two herbs for a healthier heart and liver.