John Myers
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Wormwood is an herb that is used both as a medicinal plant and for the production of spirits. We explain everything about the cultivation, effect and use of the plant.
How is the wormwood plant grown?
Wormwood is a herbaceous plant that grows to a height of around 0.5 to 1 meter. Characteristic is the aromatic smell of the plant, which is due to the essential oils it contains. Yellow flowers appear from the end of July to the end of September, followed by ocher nuts.
- The location of the wormwood plant should be sunny, the soil permeable and dry, i.e. slightly sandy or even gravelly. The seeds of the plant are simply scattered on the ground and lightly pressed, as they need sunlight to germinate.
- Wormwood can negatively affect other plants through root excretions and the formation of large shrubs and should therefore only be sown with plenty of space to adjacent plants.
- Wormwood doesn’t need a lot of water and doesn’t need to be watered every day. Only in the summer when the temperatures are high should you pay attention to regular watering. If the leaves hang down without strength, this indicates a lack of water.
- Compost is suitable for fertilization, as is cattle or horse manure, which can be mixed in before sowing.
- Due to the essential oils, wormwood is not susceptible to pests, on the contrary, the herb can be used in the house to drive away moths and other vermin.
How is wormwood used and what is the effect?
Wormwood has a health-promoting effect, which is particularly due to the bitter substances it contains.
- In the kitchen, wormwood is used to flavor hearty or greasy dishes such as pork knuckle or goose. Due to the intense taste, the dosage of the herb must be very small.
- Wormwood is also used as a medicinal herb. The plant is either added to food as a spice or drunk as a tea.
- Due to the high number of bitter substances, the herb has the ability to help against flatulence, stomach upset and other digestive problems and to make heavy food easier to digest.
- Other effects that are attributed to the medicinal herb include strengthening the immune system, promoting blood circulation, protecting the liver or the partial antiviral effect.
- It is important for the intake as a medicinal herb to adhere exactly to the prescribed dosages. An overdose can lead to symptoms of poisoning such as vomiting or cramps.
- Wormwood is also used in alcoholic beverages. Examples are various herbal wines or absinthe, which consists of other herbs such as aniseed and fennel in addition to wormwood.
