Title: Wormwood
Synonyms: Absinthium; green ginger
Literature References: Shrubby, aromatic perennial plant,
Artemisia absinthium L.,
Compositae. Medicinal portions include the essential oil and the dried leaves and flowering tops.
Habit. Europe, northern Africa, Asia, North and South America.
Constit. Absinthin, anabsinthin, artabsine, matricine, volatile oil. Description: E. Guenther,
The Essential Oils V, 487 (Van Nostrand, New York 1952). Isolation of various constituents: Cekan, Herout,
Collect. Czech. Chem. Commun. 21, 79 (1956); Herout
et al., ibid. 1485. Characterization of oil: T. Sacco, F. Chialva,
Planta Med. 54, 93 (1988). Extraction of antioxidant components: J. M. Canadanovic-Brunet
et al., J. Sci. Food Agric. 85, 265 (2005). Botanical description and medicinal uses: J. Gruenwald
et al., PDR for Herbal Medicines (Medical Economics, Montvale, 2nd Ed., 2000) pp 829-831; A. J. Skyles, B. V. Sweet,
Am. J. Health-Syst. Pharm. 61, 239-241 (2004).
Properties: Very strong odor, acrid taste.
Derivative Type: Volatile oil
CAS Registry Number: 8008-93-3
Synonyms: Oil of wormwood; artemisia oil
Literature References: Obtained by steam distillation of leaves and flowering tops.
Constit. Highly variable among different strains, chiefly thujone,
cis-epoxyocimene,
trans-sabinyl acetate, chrysanthenyl acetate.
Properties: Brownish-green liq. d1515 0.925-0.955.
nD20 1.460-1.4741. Sol in ether, in 2 vols 80% alcohol; very slightly sol in water.
Keep well closed, cool and protected from light.
Index of refraction: nD20 1.460-1.4741
Density: d1515 0.925-0.955
CAUTION: Ingestion of large doses may cause vomiting, stomach and intestinal cramps, headache, dizziness and CNS disturbances (Gruenwald).
Use: Oil as flavoring in alcoholic beverages,
e.g. vermouth, which is a blend of white wines, contg traces of absinthium and other flavors; formerly in absinthe.
Therap-Cat: Aromatic bitter; anthelmintic; externally for insect bites and wound healing.
