Southern Wood

Artemisia abrotanum

History

Southern Wood has been cultivated as a medicinal and aromatic plant since the Roman Iron Age. It’s hard to identify its specific origin, but it likely originated in western Asia as it normally grows in the eastern Mediterranean. In Europe, it has been historically been used for homeopathy and to treat both liver and biliary tract diseases. It is mentioned as abrotanum in the plant catalogue featured in Capitulare de villis vel curtis imperii, the edict issued by Charlemagne in 812 to regulate the administration of his crown estates.

Southernwood is introduced as a plant of minor importance in the Great Plains and the Intermountain region United States and in southern Canada. It is also known as a medicinal herb in Central Asia, Asia Minor, and in South-East and Central Europe, and it has been used for its supposed metaphysical properties as well.

In other areas, such as Sweden, Southern Wood was used as part of traditional church bouquets. A grown-up woman could hardly arrive at the church service without a bouquet in her hand, or at least a scented twig in the hymnal. Southernwood was probably the most common species in this context.

Medicinal Uses

Digestive Aid
Worming Agent
Menstrual Flow
Fever Reducer
Wound Care
Insect Repellent
Skin Conditions

Recipe For Home

REFRESHING HERBAL LEMONADE

Ingredients:

3 1/4 cups organic apple juice, naturally cloudy
3/4 cup water or ice cubes
a handful or about 4-5 twigs of southernwood
Juice of 1/2 lemon
a few slices of organic oranges
(optional) 1 tbsp elderflower cordial

Instructions:

Combine everything in a bottle or jug that holds 1 litre / 4 cups of liquid.

Place in the fridge to chill for a few hours, and enjoy!

If you find the apple juice too sweet, simply dilute the lemonade with more water or ice cubes