Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is a herb renowned for its aromatic silver-green foliage and bitter taste. Native to Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa, wormwood has a long history of use in traditional medicine, spellcraft and, notably, in the production of the notorious alcoholic beverage absinthe. In traditional herbalism, wormwood has been employed for its digestive properties, among other medicinal uses. Beyond its culinary and medicinal applications, wormwood holds a place in magickal practices.
Curious about yarrow and it's significance in witchcraft & beyond? Read below to learn more about this potent and powerful herb!
Wormwood's Magickal Properties
Wormwood is often associated with enhancing psychic abilities and divination, making it a key ingredient in rituals and spells. According to legend, burning wormwood in a graveyard is thought to evoke the spirits of the departed. Wormwood's ability to evoke spirits makes it a particularly useful witchcraft herb during Samhain, when the distance between the physical world and the spiritual world is at its closest.
As a protective charm, carrying wormwood in a sachet or mojo bag is believed to guard against bewitchment, accidents and harmful spirits. This baneful herb, sacred to deities Artemis, Pan, and Diana, is a crucial element in protection sachets, shielding practitioners from accidents. When combined with Mugwort, wormwood becomes especially potent in rituals related to, clairvoyance, and astral projection.
In well-ventilated spaces, burning wormwood over charcoal is said to summon spirits or enhance psychic powers in spellwork. However, caution is advised, as high doses of thujone can be toxic, and the herb should be used with care both in magickal and medicinal contexts.
Its versatile nature extends to spells of divination, love, and binding, making wormwood an essential and revered herb in the realm of magick and ritual practices.
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Wormwood's Medicinal Benefits
Wormwood has been historically recognised for its medicinal properties, though its use requires caution due to the presence of thujone, a potentially toxic compound. Traditionally, wormwood has been employed in herbal medicine for its digestive benefits. The bitter components in the plant, including absinthin, stimulate appetite and aid in the digestive process. Wormwood has also been used to alleviate indigestion and bloating. Additionally, it has been explored for its potential antimicrobial properties, exhibiting activity against certain bacteria and parasites. However - we cannot stress this enough - it is crucial for us to emphasise that the medicinal use of wormwood should be approached with care, as excessive consumption can lead to thujone toxicity. As such, any medicinal application should be under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional. AKA - stick to using it in rituals over medicinally!
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