Because wormwood and mugwort are similar, they are sometimes confused. Here you can find out how they relate to each other and how wormwood differs from mugwort.
Are wormwood and mugwort the same?
Rose mugwort and wormwood are twodifferent plantsHowever, they both belong to thesame plant genus In both cases it is Artemisia. This is a genus from the Asteraceae family that brings together different herbs with different effects.
How is wormwood different from mugwort?
Common mugwort hasreddish stemsand leaves with awhitish underside of the leaves In contrast to wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), the underside and top of the leaves are different in common mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) in color. While the top of the leaf is darker, the underside has a lighter color and fine hairs. Wormwood flowers yellow. This is also how you can recognize the types of wormwood. Mugwort, on the other hand, has white flowers.
What is wormwood used for?
In addition to being used as aherbal plantand medicine, wormwood is also used to makeAbsinthe. As the plant's botanical name suggests, the plant forms a crucial component of the cult drink. The bitter substance absinthin contained in the herb is relevant in this context. Compared to wormwood, wormwood tastes much more bitter. Therefore, mugwort is more commonly used as a spice. It is suitable, for example, for refining roast goose and fatty dishes.
How long has wormwood been used?
Wormwood was already used inAncient Egyptand was later described as a medicinal plant byHildegard von Bingen. In this context, the following effects are particularly emphasized:
- Stimulating appetite and aiding digestion
- Remedies for menstrual cramps
- Combating headaches
In ancient Egypt, the herb was also used as an aphrodisiac.
Where do wormwood and mugwort grow?
Both mugwort and wormwood grow well indrylocations with lots ofsunlight The plant is not particularly demanding and is great for greenery from barren parts of the garden. You can also plant wormwood or mugwort on gravel roadsides. The plants are correspondingly widespread in Germany and Europe.
Tip
Harvesting and drying wormwood
Would you like to harvest wormwood and use it as a spice or use it to promote digestion? Cut the branches from the plant at the appropriate time and dry them. Since you don't need to use much of the bitter herb to get an aromatic result, you only need a little. The harvested herbs will serve you well for a long time.
