Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is frequently mentioned in Scripture, always for its bitterness. According to legend, wormwood grew up in the trail left by the serpent’s tail as it slithered out of the Garden of Eden.
(Jeremiah 23:15) Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts concerning the prophets: "Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and give them poisoned water to drink; for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has gone forth into all the land."
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This herb I can get excited about, simply for the history.
It's from the Aster family...grows all over the world, from the United States to Siberia. It flowers from June to September. It has a strong aromatic odor and is bitter to the taste.
Alcohol or water takes up its active principles.
This yields what is known to druggist as "Absinthine"
It is anthelmintic, tonic, and narcotic.
While it can be and is used medicinally it will irritate the stomach and dangerously increase the action of the heart and arteries. For this reason it should be diluted; 1 teaspoon to a pint of water.
Now...the real interesting part of its history that I am familiar with.
I know and love the city of New Orleans.
There is a very old house there called The Absinth House. Dates back to the early days of the settling of the French Quarter...1500/1600 hundreds.
This was a place that served only shots of Absinth. ( today it is a restaurant, and a very good one.)
Lots of history about people during that era having visions, and being mad...as in out of their mind.
Later as civilized thinking became the standard, the drink was outlawed and is against the law to possess it today....
We've come a long way my friends...I think~
Bea Kunz
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