Bylica wormwood(Artemisia absinthium) commonly known as wormwood, dog rue or absinthe, is a perennial valued forhealing propertiesand having a wideapplication in natural medicineand cosmetics. On the other hand, mugwort used in excess can be dangerous and highly poisonous. In gardens, it is sometimes planted as herbal material, but also for ornamental purposes. See whatcultivating wormwoodin the garden looks like and learn more about its properties and possible applications.
Artemisia wormwood - leaves
Fig. AnRo0002, CCO, Wikimedia Commons
Artemisia wormwood - properties
Artemisia wormwood is a perennial plantfrom the Asteraceae family, as are calendula and chamomile. It grows up to 80 cm in height. Raised, branched shoots, wood in the lower part. The tops of the pinnate leaves are gray-green, and the underside is whitish, felt-hairy.Artemisia wormwood blooms from June to OctoberIt has small, light yellow flowers gathered in a paniculate inflorescence.
The mugwort wormwood is found in wastelands, roads, near walls. In the wild, it occurs almost all over Europe, North Africa, in the western part of Asia and in North America. It is grown mainly as a herbal raw material, and in gardens it is sometimes planted fordecorative properties of mugwort- architectural habit and beautiful, silver foliage. Very often, however, mugwort wormwood is also treated as a weed, and sometimes it is also mistaken for the mugwort mugwort (Artemisia abrotanum).
Thehealing properties of mugwort wormwood , which contain bitter glycosides (including absintin), coumarin compounds and volatile oil containing thujone, have been valued since antiquity. This composition makesmugwort wormwood has acholeretic, diuretic and antiparasitic effect, stimulates the secretion of gastric juice and metabolism, improves appetite and relaxes smooth muscles of the digestive tract.
Artemisia wormwood - application
Artemisia wormwood has a wide range of medicinal uses . However, it is worth knowing that in too high doses it can be highly poisonous. Its long-term use is also not recommended. Therefore, this herb should be used with caution.
Asherbal raw material from mugwort wormwoodis harvested from July to September the bottom-bottom leaves or the upper parts of the shoots still poorly blooming. Naturally drying in airy and shaded places.
Artemisia wormwood - inflorescences
Fig. AnRo0002, CCO, Wikimedia Commons
Herb wormwood is usedin stomach ailments as an appetite stimulant and alleviating gastrointestinal ailments. The use of mugwort wormwood can also be used as a tonic for convalescents, the elderly and those after severe diseases associated with operations in the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. Herbalists also use mugwort in diseases of the biliary tract and externally to combat skin parasites, such as lice, scabies (mugwort infusion is used in the form of rubs and washes) as well as pinworms and ascariasis (in the form of an enema).
But mugwort can be used not only to combat parasites in humans but also plant pathogens, which should be of interest to gardeners! Natural plant protection products include mugwort extract and infusion, which are effective against both pests and plant diseases.
The extract of mugwort wormwoodis used to combat aphids, ants, cabbage moth, spider mites and white currant rust. We prepare it from 300g of fresh herb wormwood or 30g of dried, which should be poured with 10 liters of water and soaked for 12 hours, then strained but not diluted. The obtained liquid is sprayed on plants and sprinkled on places where ants migrate.
An infusion of mugwort wormwoodwill be useful in combating carrot gloss, onion cream and apple fruit. To prepare it, 300g of fresh herb or 30g of dried herbs is poured over with 10 liters of water and boiled for 30 minutes. After cooling, it is suitable for spraying plants. It can be used both preventively and after noticing pests, in order to stop their infestation.
Artemisia wormwood can also be used to repel molesand other insects. It is used to produce liqueurs and vodkas (e.g. absinthe), which are believed to have hallucinogenic effects.
Artemisia wormwood - cultivation
Artemisia wormwood can be grown in the gardenfor ornamental purposes and as a herbal raw material, although for the latter purpose it is much more often obtained from natural habitats.The cultivation site for mugwortshould be sunny, open, and sheltered from the wind, and the soil may be light and dry. The plant has low soil and moisture requirements, but it is worthwhile to regularly weed the bed with mugwort. The seeds are sown in autumn in the seedbed in rows, every 20 cm. Wormwood can also be propagated by separating runners. It winters very well in our climate.
