Herb for Samhain – Wormwood by Dawn "Belladonna" Thomas

Herb for Samhain – Wormwood

(Artemisia absinthium)

POISON

Folk Names: Absinthe, Old woman, Crown for a King, Madderwort, Wormot

Planet: Mars

Element: Fire

Deities: Iris, Diana, Artemis  

Powers: Psychic Powers, Protection, Love, Calling Spirits

Botanical:

Wormwood contains among its constituents, thujone, phelandrine, and purine. It is native to Europe and will flourish in most temperate regions.  Use it in the garden to keep out flea beetles and cabbage worms. It should not be planted close to another plant because the toxicity of wormwood may kill the other plant.

The root is a perennial and sometimes almost woody at the base. The flowering stem is 2 to 2 ½ feet in height and silvery-white and covered with fine silky hairs. The leaves are also silvery-white on both sides and are about 3 inches in length. The leaves are broad and cut deeply with segments that taper towards the tip and have blunt ends. The stalks are slightly winged at the edges. The small nearly round flowers are arranged on an erect stalk and are greenish-yellow tint. They bloom from July to October. The ripe fruits are not covered with the hairs that are on the stalks and leaves. The leaves are very bitter with a characteristic odor. The root has a warm and aromatic taste.

Wormwood likes a shady situation and is easily propagated by division of roots in the autumn by cuttings or be seeds sown in the autumn soon after they are ripe. No further care is needed other than to keep them free of weeds. The plants should be planted about two feet apart.

Folklore and History:

It was named for the Greek Goddess Artemis and has been in use at least since its earliest recorded history by the Assyrians in 600 B.C.E. It was a religious herb among both Hebrew and Greek cultures. In ancient times the Egyptians used it as a cure for worms. During the Middle Ages people used it to keep moths out of clothing.

The name Artemisia shows the long association with the Roman Diana and Greek Artemis.  As Ms. Grieve has recorded in A Modern Herbal:

In an early translation of the Herbarium of Apuleius we find: “Of these worts that we name Artemisia, it is said that Diana did find them and delivered their powers and leechdom to Chiron the Centaur, who first from these worts set forth a leechdom, and he named these worts from the name of Diana, Artemis, that is Artemisias.”

According to the Ancients, wormwood counteracted the effects of poisoning by hemlock, toadstools and the biting of the sea-dragon. The plant was of some importance among Mexicans, who celebrated their great festival of the Goddess of Salt by a ceremonial dance of women, who wore on their heads garlands of wormwood. (Grieve, page 858)

It was once made into an alcoholic beverage called absinthe. It was one of the flavorings used for vermouth and other alcoholic beverages. This highly addictive and dangerous liqueur is now outlawed or banned in many countries. The side effects are vomiting and it is toxic in large quantities.

Medicinal Usage:

CAUTION: This herb is only used in small amounts and should only be administered by a trained professional. This plant is considered poisonous. It is likely that the bitter flavor will keep the dosage in proportion. The tops are used for the treatment of stomach disorders and colitis. Wormwood may also be used in pains associated with nervous disorders. It was also said that it works well for people suffering from anemia. It should not be used by pregnant women.

Magical Uses:

The silvery-white leaves of this plant look nice when dried and used in floral bouquets. Care should be used to keep this out of the reach of children and animals.  Wormwood can be added to waters or creams as a bug repellent. In the language of flowers, this represents absence.

Wormwood can be burned in incenses designed to aid in developing psychic powers, and is also worn for this purpose. If wormwood is carried it protects against bewitchment. Hung from the rear-view of a car, it protects the vehicle from accidents.

Wormwood is used to enhance prophecy and divination. It is associated with the Lovers card of the tarot and serves as a patron herb of herbalist. In some versions of the myth, the goddess Artemis bestows this herb upon the centaur, Chiron, healer of the gods, who uses it as one of his most important healing herbs.

It was said that wormwood could be used to remove anger. This practice requires a thorough analysis of underlying motives and of social ethics. Paul Beyerl writes in The Master Book of Herbalism:

“for those who seek to vent their anger in a peaceful creative means this herb is appropriate to use.  It is also used when a group works magic to stop war or to inhibit the enemy.” (Beyerl, page 255)

Wormwood is also sometimes used in love infusions. Wormwood can be placed under a bed to draw a loved one. Ms. Grieve records an old love charm in A Modern Herbal:

On Saint Luke’s Day, take marigold flowers, a sprig of marjoram, thyme, and a little wormwood; dry them before a fire, rub them to powder; then sift it through a fine piece of lawn, and simmer it over a slow fire, adding a small quantity of virgin honey, and vinegar.  Anoint yourself with this when you go to bed, saying the following lines three times, and you will dream of your partner to be:  Saint Luke, Saint Luke, be kind to me, In dreams let me my true love see. (Grieve, pages 858-859)

Wormwood is also burned to summon spirits. It is sometimes mixed with sandalwood for this purpose. According folk stories, if burned in graveyards the spirits of the dead will rise and speak.

Sources:

Beyerl, Paul; A Compendium of Herbal Magick; Custer, Washington; Phoenix Publishing, Inc; 1998

Beyerl, Paul, The Master Book of Herbalism; Custer, Washington; Phoenix Publishing, Inc; 1994

Cunningham, Scott; Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs; St Paul, MN; Llewellyn Publications; 2000

Grieve, M.; A Modern Herbal, Volume II; Mineola, New York; Dover Publications; 1971

Hopman, Ellen Evert; A Druid’s Herbal; Rochester, Vermont; Destiny Books; 1995

Telesco, Patricia; The Herbal Arts; Secaucus, New Jersey; Carol Publishing Group; 1998

Botanical Painting from F. E. Kohler's "Medizinal-Pflanzen", 1888.