Southernwood (Artemisia abrotanum)
Flowers: July to August. Height: 120cm (48in).
Also called Lad’s Love or Southern Wormwood. It was used as a strewing plant and in many Catholic churches the herb is still used as incense. It was thought to promote beard and hair growth.
Medicinal: Highly valued in the Middle Ages, fresh or dried leaves were used to improve digestion and liver function by increasing secretions in the stomach and intestines. It lowered fevers and relaxed spasms and therefore was used for cramps, coughs, menstrual pain and urinary disorders. It was used as an antidote against snakebite or other poisonous animals and as a remedy against the plague and intestinal worms. The herb was thought to increase blood flow to the skin and to have an anti-inflammatory and disinfectant effect mainly against fungal diseases so it was used externally in aromatic bathes and as a poultice to treat skin conditions. Applied to small wounds, it would help stop them bleeding and accelerate healing. It was often placed in pillows to counteract insomnia.
Culinary: The fresh or dried leaves can be used in spice mixtures, and traditionally it was used as a flavour ingredient in the same way as Wormwood in herbal vinegar and some liqueurs. The young shoots possess an astringent, lemony taste and were used in small amounts for adding essence to salads, cakes and vinegars and also to prepare a herbal tea.
Magic & Myth: For centuries the herb was regarded to have magical powers and was used as a protection to ward off evil.
