What is the Difference Between Wormwood and Sweet Wormwood?

Wormwood and sweet wormwood are two species within the genus Artemisia, which belongs to the daisy family Asteraceae. Both species have common names such as mugwort and are used in medicine, but they have some differences:

• Toxicity: Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is a moderately poisonous species native to Eurasia and Northern Africa, while sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua) is a non-poisonous species native to temperate Asia.
• Botanical Features: Wormwood has gray-green or white stems covered by fine hairs and yellowish-green leaves that are hairy. Sweet wormwood has feathery leaves and a profusion of yellow flowers.
• Culinary Uses: Common wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) gives the characteristic taste to absinthe, a distilled alcoholic spirit. Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus), another species of Artemisia, is used to flavor sauces.
• Medicinal Uses: Sweet wormwood has been used for millennia in traditional Chinese medicine to treat malaria. The active ingredient, artemisinin, is part of a group of aromatic chemicals known as terpenoids. Wormwood has been used in medicines and beverages, such as absinthe and vermouth.

In summary, wormwood is a moderately poisonous species native to Eurasia and Northern Africa, while sweet wormwood is a non-poisonous species native to temperate Asia. Both species belong to the genus Artemisia and have various culinary and medicinal uses.

Comparative Table: Wormwood vs Sweet Wormwood

Here is a table comparing the differences between wormwood and sweet wormwood:

Wormwood is a moderately poisonous species native to Eurasia and Northern Africa, while sweet wormwood is a non-poisonous species native to temperate Asia. Wormwood is used as an ingredient in the alcoholic drink absinthe and has potential antimicrobial properties, pain relief, and digestion stimulation. Sweet wormwood, on the other hand, has been used for centuries in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in Asia, and is known for its anti-viral, anti-parasitic, and anti-inflammatory properties.