Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)
Flowers: August to September. Height: 50 – 100cm (20 – 40in).
Other commonly used names for this herb included Felon Herb, Naughty Man and Old Uncle Henry. It was also called Sailor’s Tobacco and smoked as a tobacco substitute. Wormwood (and Southernwood) contains an essential oil with powerful insect repellent properties. Bouquets or potpourris containing the herb were often placed in kitchens to keep flies at bay and leaves placed in closets and cupboards to keep moths away. Fresh leaves were rubbed on the skin to ward off mosquitoes.
Medicinal: It was used in small amounts due to its hallucinatory properties to kill intestinal parasites.
Culinary: A bitter aromatic herb, its leaves and roots were used as a flavouring.
Magic & Myth: It was believed to have strong magic against a witch and the devil and would keep the home protected. Hanging mugwort above the door was a protection against lightning while putting it under the doorstep ensured that no threatening person would come to your door.
