Artimesia (Wormwood)

          Wormwood, true to its name, kills internal parasites such as round and thread worms.  I know.  It sounds gross.  I’ve read of a folktale that Wormwood first sprang up from the impressions that the serpent left in the ground when he slithered out of the Garden of Eden.  Of course, in herbal books you have to read around the superstitions of some traditional herbalists. Wormwood was also traditionally used as a flea repellent.  Here’s a little poem:

“White wormwood hath seed, get a handful or twaine,

to save against March, to make flea to refrain.

Where chamber is sweeped and wormwood is strewn,

no flea for his life, dare abide to be knowne.”

This poem comes from Thomas Tusser’s Five Hundred Pointes of Good Husbandrie.  It was written in 1573.

            Wormwood grows to a height of 3 feet and a width of 4 feet.  It has tiny yellow flowers and grayish green leaves.  This hardy, partial-evergreen grows wonderfully in Indiana. 

            Other than expelling worms, Wormwood is used to treat problems with poor digestion and wind.  It’s also used for fevers, menstrual problems, and nerve tonics. 

WARNING:  If used continually, wormwood may cause convulsions, restlessness, and vomiting.  Too much may cause vertigo, cramps, intoxication, and delirium.  So, do not use unsupervised.

            As I always say, I look forward to growing this herb myself.  I’ve been wondering if there is a way to make a wormer for my goats…  Well, next week’s herb is one that my dad actually grew this year.  It grew taller than me and its second name is Pigweed.