"Artemisia absinthium",
a material for medicinal distilled spirits
History of Wormwood
- It is said to have been introduced to Japan at the end of the Edo period.
- It is one of the plants listed in Carl von Linne's Species Plantarum (1753).
- The distilled liquor "absinthe" made from wormwood originated in Val de Travers, Switzerland.
- Ibn Sina (Avicenna), a leading Islamic physician, believed that wormwood had an appetite-stimulating effect. (980-1037)
- The Salerno Medical School (Italy), the oldest medical school in Europe, founded in the late 10th century, taught that it was effective against seasickness.
- Afterwards, it was also used to treat rheumatism, plague, cholera, tonsillitis, otitis media, tooth decay, as an anthelmintic (deworming agent), and as an insect repellent for clothing.
- In the 18th century, Swiss physician Pierre Odinare devised a formula for absinthe, which was obtained by distilling wormwood, and it is said that the French army at the time used it as an antipyretic.
"Artemisia absinthium",
the plant that gave birth to the Swiss distilled spirit "Absinthe"
Recent Research on Wormwood
- International Peace Cooperation Agreement Regarding Wormwood
An agreement was concluded with the President of the Swiss Absinthe Growers Association to cooperate in the use of Wormwood for international peace.
- In 2006, it was reported that the compound artemisinin contained in Wormwood inhibits the activity of the following pathogenic microorganisms: (Reference: JP2006-504787)
・Dengue virus
・Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
・Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV)
・Flaviviridae viruses, including classical swine fever virus (formerly known as swine cholera virus, Pestivirus C)
etc.
- In recent years, pharmacist Takao Nakamura has reported that wormwood distillates and extracts have the ability to suppress the activity of the following pathogenic microorganisms:
・Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
・Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
・SARS virus (SARS-CoV)
*The causative agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)
・Influenza A virus
・Norovirus (Norwalk virus)
*Norovirus is the genus name, and the species name is Norwalk virus.
*Activity inhibition tests were conducted using the surrogate virus, feline calicivirus (FCV).
etc.
- Takao Nakamura has also confirmed the disinfecting effect against the following fungi.
・Staphylococcus aureus
・Escherichia coli, including O-157 (enterohemorrhagic E. coli)
・Candida albicans
・Pseudomonas aeruginosa
・Bacillus cereus
and others
Recent Uses of "Wormwood"
- Used as a supplementary preservative.
・Use in Cosmetics
The full ingredient list for cosmetics is labeled "Wormwood Extract" or "Wormwood Oil."
To qualify for this label, the source plant must have the scientific name "Artemisia absinthium."
When harvesting wild Wormwood, it often grows alongside other closely related species, making it difficult to selectively harvest only the source plant.
When using Wormwood-derived ingredients under these labeling names in cosmetics, it is recommended to verify the country of origin and the provenance of the source plant.
・Soft drinks, processed foods, supplements, confectionery, etc.
When used in foods, the food additive "bittering agent" is labeled "Wormwood Extract," and when used in foods, it is labeled "Wormwood Extract."