Wormwood.

Wormwood: use in cooking and medicine

Wormwood is a perennial herbaceous plant that is used as a spicy and medicinal plant. It belongs to the aster family and can reach a height of up to 1 meter. The plant has a silvery-pubescent stem and leaves, which are located on long petioles. Wormwood flowers are yellow and collected in a basket on short branches, forming a panicle. Wormwood seeds ripen in August-September. Wormwood is widespread throughout almost the entire territory of the European part of the USSR, the Caucasus, Western Siberia, Kazakhstan and Central Asia.

Wormwood has a strong specific odor, which is explained by the content of bitter glycosides (absinthine and anabsintin), essential oil, terpenoids, chamazulene, tannins, alkaloids, phytoncides, organic acids and carotene. Drinks and seasoning for some dishes are prepared from wormwood flowers, and the herb is used as a medicinal raw material, which is harvested during flowering by cutting off the tops 20-25 cm long.

Infusion, tincture and extract of wormwood enhance the secretion of gastric juice, bile and pancreatic contents, stimulate digestive function, eliminate spasms of the colon, help some liver cells capture and destroy microorganisms, have anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, choleretic, diuretic and wound-healing effects. They are used to stimulate appetite and enhance the activity of the digestive organs. However, taking wormwood should not exceed 2 months, since increasing the period sometimes has a negative effect.

At home, you can systematically take tea from the herb wormwood to increase your appetite. To do this, pour 1 teaspoon of crushed raw materials into 2 cups of boiling water, cover with a thick cloth for 20 minutes and filter. Take 1/4 cup 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals. You can use ready-made wormwood tincture. Prescribe it 15-20 drops 3 times a day 15-30 minutes before meals.

Wormwood is also used to stop bleeding, relieve pain and heal wounds. It has a pain-relieving effect for bruises, sprains and rheumatism. To do this, crushed wormwood grass is mixed with vegetable oil and the resulting ointment is used to treat painful areas.

However, it should be remembered that wormwood is a poisonous plant and improper use can lead to poisoning. Therefore, before using wormwood in cooking or as a medicine, you should consult your doctor or herbalist. In addition, wormwood is not recommended for use by pregnant women, nursing mothers, children under 12 years of age, and people prone to allergic reactions.