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WORMWOOD -
Artemesia Absinthium
Wormwood is a classic herb for the Samhain season. In
October the wheel of the year stops for a magical 3 day interlude before the
feast of Samhain, which ushers in the death and rebirth of the seasonal wheel of
the year. At Samhain we place gifts of food on our altars, and out-of-doors,
extending hospitality to the disembodied ancestors who are surely among us. We
light dark candles and call our dear departed, especially those most recently
dead. Wormwood, when added to herbal incense, is an aid in opening the psychic
centers. When these centers are open and receptive, we may better communicate
with those who have "passed over". Its been written that wormwood and sandlewood
(an herb of purification and high spiritual energy) burned together near a
gravesite will summon the spirit of the departed. Wormwood is a banishing herb,
used to rid a person or an area of anger and negativity. In ancient Mexico,
women enacted a ritual dance in honor of the Goddess of Salt where they wore
garlands of wormwood in their hair. To divine the face of your future lover,
take dried marjoram, thyme, and wormwood, grind them to a powder and cook them
gently with honey and vinegar to make a paste. Anoint your third eye center with
the mix and ask three times that a vision of your lover's face be granted to you
in your sleep. Wear the mixture to bed. Wormwood is strewn behind furniture,
under pillows and in corners to repel fleas. It is laid among woolens and furs
to repel moths. On Samhain strew it in your ritual fire as a protection against
malevolent spirits.
HERBAL USES: Wormwood tea is used as a liver remedy to
dispel the symptoms of jaundice and to remove depression and melancholy. A light
infusion of the flowers and fresh leaves promotes digestion, increases the
appetite, and strengthens the stomach - if nausea results, the dose ahs been too
strong. Wormwood was once used in the production of Absinthe, a liqueur, and
some home brewers still add it to mead (honey wine). Used occasionally it will
soothe the nerves and balance the mind. CAUTION: as with all mind altering
substances it can easily be abused. Persons who become addicted to absinthe
experience giddiness and even convulsions. The flowers and buds are the best
part for medicinal use. One ounce of the flowers can be tinctured in a pint of
brandy for six weeks, strained, and used for the relief of gravel and gout. The
dose is one tablespoon twice a day. One ounce of the flowers and buds can be
covered with a pint and a half of boiling water and steeped for 12 hours. The
dose is two tablespoons three times a day for a week, then followed by a daily
dose for maintenance. Do this to promote digestion. The dried and powdered herb
is used as a vermifuge (gets rid of worms - thus the source of its name). Use
the infusion to promote menstruation and as an antiseptic wash for wounds and
skin irritations. The tea is used to help alleviate the bail of childbirth. The
oil is used to relieve the pain of arthritic rheumatism and neuralgia.
CAUTION: The oil is pure poison and should only be used
externally! Never take this herb for more than a few weeks.
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