A Last Celebration of the 2014 Herb of the Year-Artemisia--Possible Cocktails for the New Year!

Artemisia absinthium  Image Provided by Fine Gardening

I don't drink because of my GERD.  I do have a toast occasionally and would actually like to try absinthe some day.  Have seen several different movies where absinthe was a focal point.  Absinthe is a bit expensive and possibly not the easiest to obtain, but I thought since New Year's Eve is tomorrow night, you could splurge and try it.  As with all alcohol, please be moderate with your drinking and never drink and drive.  This is my sixth post about the 2014 Herb of the Year, Artemisia. 

I'm going to talk about Artemisia absinthium or true wormwood in this post.  It is a gray shrub-like herb that grows from two to four feet tall.  It needs sun, but will grow in partial shade.  It is a native of Europe and one of the great plants of the past because of its medicinal uses.  It is an ingredient in Absorbine, Jr.  In Dioscorides' time wormwood was declared to be a preventive for intoxication.  The word wormwood was a synonym for bitterness.  Dr. W.T. Fernie (A favorite of Debs Cook) said "It keepeth clothes from moths and wormes."

Here is an article by Fine Gardening magazine about its growing habits and that it is on the list on invasive.org's website.  The artemisia that is used to produce absinthe which is an anise and wormwood flavored distilled spirit is made from aniseed, fennel and wormwood.  I found that there is a Wormwood Society and their website is full of great information concerning absinthe.  Click under the Frequently Asked Questions and you will have all you need to know.  Also, the Society's website has a cocktail section at the top of the home page.  I found an Epicurious.com link called the Top 5 Absinthe Cocktails which may peak your interest.  Wanted to add just one more link to my friend, Marcy Lautanen-Raleigh's blog, Backyard Patch Herbal Blog and her last post of 2014 on Mugwort - Herb of the Week.  Always learning from other bloggers!  She really has a ton of information plus great herbal recipes of all types!

Wanted to mention a great resource book about each herb of the year produced by the International Herb Association.  This year's book on Artemisia has lots of great information and recipes.  You can also find the 2015 IHA Herbal Calendar as well.

Artemisia Herb of the Year 2014

Well, that's all I have for this year.  Hope you have a very special New Year's Eve and I'll see you in the new year for the 2015 Herb of the Year, Savory.  Cold here going to get colder, but still no snow!  Talk to you next year!