Artemisia absinthium

A perennial, silky pubescent, herbaceous plant, very aromatic. Stem erect angular, ribbed. Leaves ovate or obovate, unequally 2-3-piunnatifid cut into spreading linear or lanceolate,

obtuse segment, hairy on both surfaces; radical and lower cauline narrowed into winged petioles. Head numerous, but hardly crowded, pedicelled, hemispheric in drooping, second racemes terminating the branches. Flowers yellow. Ray-corolla dilated below. Outer involucral bracts oblong, hairy, narrowly scarious, linear orbicular, broadly scarious. Receptacular hairs long, straight. Anthers acuminate, not aristate. Achenes elliptic oblong, or somewhat obovoid.

Common name

Mastaru, Afsanthin.

Scientific name

Artemisia absinthium.

Family

compositae (Asteraceae).

Distribution and ecology

Throughout subtropical India; planted in west Bengal.

Flowering and fruiting

 March to June.

Uses

Twigs, leaves and flower-head

used as tonic, antihelmintic and stimulant: useful to treat chronic fever, swelling and inflamimmation of liver; paste applied as an antiseptic and discutient.

Oil extract from plant

Used as tonic for digestion; externally applied to treat rheumatism to enhance mental function. Mixed with olive oil and given as antihelmintic.

Propagated by

Seeds and stem cutting.

Cultivation

Tropical and subtropical climate.

Toxicities

Safe in moderation, but large doses are toxic! Poisoning leads to seizures, delirium, and hallucinations and DEATH. Mind-altering effects similar to tetrahydrocannabinol. Also can cause dermatitis and allergic reactions. Use of large amounts can produce restlessness, insomnia, nightmares, vomiting, intestinal cramps, dizziness, tremors, urinary retention, renal damage and convulsions. Absinthism, a group of symptoms, presents with digestive symptoms: thirst,

restlessness, vertigo, tremor, numbness of extremities, diminished intellect, delirium paralysis and death. Interactions with acid inhibiting drugs and anticonvulsants

Active Ingredients

chrysanthenyl acetate Thujone enhances the effect of alcohol but at high doses acts as convulsant poison

Bitter principles (absinthin and anabsinthin), volatile oil (70% thujone) Antimicrobial activity of volatile oils, 14 phenolic acids, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, sinapic acid, p-hydroxyphenol acidid acid, vanillic acid, salicylic acid, p-coumaric acid responsible for some therapeutic effects Absinthin artabsin are sesque terpines lactones Sesque terpinoids alpha tujone, beta tujone, chrysanthenyl acetate Thujone enhances the effect of alcohol but at high doses acts as convulsant poison.