Southernwood

Southernwood (Artemisia abrotanum) is a species of wormwood that is native to southern Europe and the temperate regions of Asia. As a result of human propagation, it is now very widely distributed. Southernwood contains a veritable pharmacy of medicinal chemicals including carvacrol (disinfectant), ascaridole (anthelmintic), eucalyptol (antiinflammatory and antibacterial), terpine-4-ol (antifungal), and linalool (insecticide). The cultivars of southernwood that have historically been most prized by humans have a pleasing lemony scent due to the presence of limonene.

In addition to its medicinal uses, southernwood has distinctive culinary applications. Its bitter properties have long been valued as an aid to the digestion of fatty meats such as pork, duck, goose, and mutton. It remains popular in Scandinavia as a flavoring agent for snaps. In remembrance of antique traditions, it is sometimes used to flavor wine and ale.

Historically, southernwood has been esteemed for a variety of metaphysical properties. In one aspect of its metaphysical personality, southernwood is believed to heighten sexuality. In a second aspect, southernwood is believed to ward off all manner of evil. In addition, from Medieval times through the middle 1800’s, the lemony scent of southernwood in a bouquet provided reassurance that the invisible miasmas that carried the dreaded diseases of plague, cholera, and jail house fever were not present.

Southernwood is easy to grow. It provides a visually and historically interesting addition to any garden.

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