Artemisia Abrotanum or commonly known as Southernwood is one of the species of flowering plants in the Sunflower family. This particular plant is native to Eurasia and Africa but is naturalized mostly in North America.
It has a robust camphor-like smell, and historically it was used as an air freshener. The grey-green leaves are small, narrow and feathery. The small flowers are yellow. It can be easily cultivated by cuttings, or by the division of the roots.
About Artemisia Abrotanum
The leaves of this plant which are grey-green color are mostly used for herbal medicine. They are used as before flowering in fresh or drier conditions. They are collected before flowering and are dried in the shade to prevent the color.
The dried leaves needed to be sealed and stored in glass jars and away from the direct light. The fruit is small, inconspicuous brown nut. The plant has the robust, sweet and penetrating aroma, reminiscent of lemon.
The leaves of Abrotanum Southernwood is inherited with 0.5% essential oil, tannins, bitter substances, an alkaloid, flavonoids, phenolic acids and coumarin derivatives.
These days, southernwood is often used as a medicinal herb, but earlier in the period of the Middle Ages, it was highly effective and used to treat serious health issues. In modern homeopathic a new species named as wormwood is being used in herbs and remedies. The specified name of wormwood is artemisia absinthium.
However, earlier it was not so familiar to put the leaves in drawers, wardrobes and lockers to keep moths away.
Traditionally this herb was used to treat cramps, urinary disorders, cough, cold, menstrual pain. In fact, poisonous bites of snakes and other animals were also treated by Abrotanum Southernwood. This medicated herb was also applied as the remedy to fight the plague, intestinal worms, and other stomach issues.
Earlier, this plant was also being used as a tribal or local medicine to cure various skin related problems and even used by men to grow body hairs and beard.
To treat restlessness in night and sleeping disorder, it was also placed in cosy cushions and pillows for people who have insomnia.
Health Issues Cured By Abrotanum Southernwood
Generalities
The odor of this herb is mostly used for antiseptic and herbal use as medicines. The various diseases which are getting cured by the use of this herb are as follows:-
Anemia:
The condition of Anemia in which the red cells or the hemoglobin of the blood becomes low, and the person feels week or dizzy is getting cured by the use of Southernwood.
Angioma:
The abnormal growth of red blood cells causing tumors of good order are sometimes considered to be as an effect of systemic problems caused in the liver. This medicine Southernwood is used to heal this disease.
Baldness & Dandruff:
The use of this medicine Southernwood can cure the condition in which a person starts losing the hair on the skull or starts getting a skin problem on the scalp (other words “Dandruff”).
Epilepsy:
The condition of a human being in which he/she gets seizures is called epilepsy. This is a neurological disease and can be cured by the use of this medicine Southernwood.
There are many other diseases which can get cured by the use of this medicine Southernwood such as Typhoid, Restlessness, Stomach Ache, Nosebleed and many more.
Despite the problems mentioned above are some of the health issues getting cured by the usage of this medicine Southernwood.
Judges use to carried bunch of southernwood to protect themselves from prisoners severe health problems. Despite this some church-goers also use the herb to keep themselves awake in sermons sessions and holy prayers.
Precautions and Side Effects:
This herb has a side effect on the uterus and also causes a stimulation such as miscarriages, so it should be avoided during pregnancy. Children under 12 should avoid internal use of the herb.
In some instances, this herb causes skin reactions and allergy as well.