Absinthe wormwood is normally Artemisia Absinthium or Grand Wormwood which is actually a variety of wormwood which does not contain a vast amount of the chemical thujone. Some brands of Absinthe use Roman Wormwood, Artemisia Pontica, in addition to Grand Wormwood and this type of wormwood also contains thujone, so drinks with two types of wormwood may contain more thujone. Thujone amounts can differ between brands significantly, some Absinthes only have negligible amounts of thujone, whereas others have up to 35mg/kg. The USA does not allow Absinthe having thujone content.
What is the reason for controversy about Absinthe Wormwood ?
Common Wormwood, Artemisia Absinthium was used for medicinal purpose from Ancient times. It has been used:-
– It is efficient on poisoning caused by toadstools and hemlock.
– How to use as a tonic .
– To decrease a fever.
– As a digestive stimulant.
– To deal with parasitic intestinal worms.
Wormwood gives Absinthe it’s bitter taste, green color and it’s name. When water is added to the drink the famous “louche” effect is visible.
Absinthe was banned in the early 1900s in several countries due to it’s harmful effects. People thought that Absinthe drinking gave rise to violent crimes, serious intoxication, insanity and the thujone content in it played the role of psychoactive, psychedelic and an hallucinogen. Absinthe was claimed to be responsible for the murder of a french family though the killer was actually an alcoholic who consumed plenty of other alcohols after the Absinthe!
Before it’s unauthorization numerous writers and artists enjoyed this drink. The UK, Spain, Portugal or the Czech Republic are the few European countries where Absinthe was never restricted.
Absinthe Wormwood Revival
There was never any real evidence linking Absinthe drinking to hallucinations or insanity and it is now known that Absinthe is no worse than any other highly alcoholic drink. Absinthe wormwood does not harm a person but the alcoholic content in Absinthe can be dangerous. The consumption of decent amount of Absinthe can make a person feel a funny lucid or clear headed type of drunkenness.
During the 1990s many nations authorized Absinthe which made Absinthe drinking more interesting. There are many different types and brands of Absinthe available to buy and buyers can even order Absinthe essence, to make their own Absinthe, online from companies like AbsintheKit.com.
Even today the exact amount of thujone in Absinthe is unauthorized in the European Union and in the United States. Absinthe containing real wormwood and herbs is important for a person.