Wormwood – Heb. la’anah, the Artemisia absinthium of botanists. It is noted for its intense bitterness ( Deuteronomy 29:18 ; Proverbs 5:4 ; Jeremiah 9:15 ; Amos 5:7 ). It is a type of bitterness, affliction, remorse, punitive suffering. In Amos 6:12 this Hebrew word is rendered “hemlock” (RSV, “wormwood”). In the symbolical language of the Apocalypse ( Revelation 8:10 Revelation 8:11 ) a star is represented as falling on the waters of the earth, causing the third part of the water to turn wormwood.
The name by which the Greeks designated it, absinthion, means “undrinkable.” The absinthe of France is distilled from a species of this plant. The “southernwood” or “old man,” cultivated in cottage gardens on account of its fragrance, is another species of it.
What do Edgar Degas, Vincent van Gogh and Pablo Picasso all have in common aside from their incredible painting abilities? These three artists all shared a love of absinthe, a botanical spirit made from wormwood, anise and fennel.
Absinthe is currently illegal in the U.S. as well as many other countries, but it’s still available in Europe. You may have heard of wormwood because of its inclusion in this famous European beverage, but did you know that it also holds an ability to aid many common and serious health concerns?
It’s true. Wormwood is actually used to eliminate intestinal worms, especially roundworms and pinworms. This is exactly why it’s commonly recommended as part of a parasite cleanse.
Just how powerful is wormwood? Well, it’s owed thanks and praise for being the source of the key ingredient for the herbal drug artemisinin, which is touted as the most powerful anti-malarial on the market.
And it doesn’t stop there. Scientific research also shows that wormwood can even kill cancer cells. Wormwood tea can also be used to treat anorexia, insomnia, anemia, a lack of appetite, flatulence, stomach aches, jaundice and indigestion.
Wormwood herb is used in alcoholic beverages while the wormwood star is mentioned in the bible. Truly an intriguing plant to say the least, but can this herb really kill parasites and cancer? Studies say yes, and the positive medicinal effects keep on coming.
Why am I writing all of these newly found tidbits about wormwood? Because as I de-wormed puppies today, my mind went down a rabbit hole of thoughts to C.S. Lewis’ book, The Screwtape Letters, and the adventures of Uncle Screwtape and his nephew, Wormwood. I ruminated on the damage worms do to bodies, puppies, and in the case of the book, peoples’ minds and relationships. As a result, I wondered if there was anything good about something called wormwood.
My “patients” hated the administration of the medicine (and the resulting condition of my hands and clothing served as proof), but it was very necessary to ensure their long term health. I know what a “worm would” do to their systems, and I was not having any of that on my watch! While I am no Mary Poppins with a spoon full of sugar to help the medicine go down, it is most delightful to rest assured in the completion of this important task.
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