WORMWOOD SEEDS

Artemisia absinthium

The true wormwood. This selection is rich in absinthin, the unique triterpene lactone that gives Absinthe liquor its bitter flavor. This selection also contains significant concentrations of the neurotoxic ketone thujone, which is the component of the original Absinthe that was suspected to have caused psychosis in those that habitually imbibed. The species epithet absinthium derives from the Greek apinthion, which means “undrinkable".

Most probably native to the warm shores of the Mediterranean and now naturalized throughout the dry waste places of the world. Valued for ritual and medicinal purposes since at least the Early Dynastic. Used to flavor beer for many millennia. The Romans steeped Wormwood in wine. From the Classical through the Medieval it was employed as a culinary herb in much the same way as Rue. Many traditional recipes for Moroccan tea involve the seasonal use of “sheeba", which are the dried leaves of Wormwood.

Several sterile selections of Wormwood are sold for ornamental landscaping purposes as these attractive silvery mounding plants are incredibly tolerant of drought and neglect. Hardy to at least zone 3! Dried bundles of foliage make a pleasant critter and insect repellant in attics and crawl spaces and amongst drying grain crops.

Seeds germinate easily at warm room temperature in bright light. Press into moist soil, mist carefully, and cover with plastic to maintain moisture. Kept warm and moist in bright light seeds germinate within two weeks or so. Prick out to grow on in individual cells or pots at warm temperatures in bright light. Water only infrequently and do allow to dry out sightly between waterings. Never allow pots to sit in trays full of water. Harden off thoroughly before transplanting into warm soil in full sun in the spring after all danger of frost has passed.

Mature plants grow to around 2' in all directions, and sometimes up to 3' in bloom. We often prune to prevent Artemisia species blooming as they can self-sow to an invasive degree. Where Wormwood is grown for erosion control this is a feature rather than a nuissance.

The thujone in this species is found mainly in the essential oil. We do not recommend distillation of Wormwood at all ever. Absinthin is soluble in alcohol at cool temperatures and simple high proof tincture is suitable for extraction. Careful research is advised.

Packet contains around 300 seeds.