Wormwood

Wormwood
Species information
Endemic to	Canada United States of America
Natural environment	Eurasia Northern Africa
Sentience	Non-sentient
Roots	Fibrous
Stem	Silvery green
Leaves	Green
Distinction(s)	Very bitter taste
Usage	Potion-making Medicine Flea ridding
Status	Extant

Wormwood (Artemisa absinthium) is a very bitter herb, that has used in Potion-making since ancient times.

Uses

A field of Wormwood

File:Wormwood.jpg

A strand of Wormwood

An Infusion of Wormwood is used in the concoction of the Draught of Living Death, Elixir to Induce Euphoria, and the Shrinking Solution. Wormwood Essence is also made from this plant. Harry Potter learned about this ingredient in his first Potion class in September 1991, where Professor Snape "pointed it out for him". Wormwood is also an ingredient of the Healing Potion, which was brewed and used heavily by volunteer members of the Statute of Secrecy Task Force in the 2010s to help address the Calamity.

Muggles use wormwood leaves for many things, including medicine and as a way to discourage fleas. Wormwood's scientific name is derived from that of Artemis, the goddess of the hunt in Greek mythology. Wormwood Oil can be poisonous in large amounts.

Behind the scenes

• In reality, wormwood is purported to have a wide range of uses (which may or may not hold true in the Harry Potter universe), including: antipyretic (febrifuge); anthelmintic; stomachic; tonic; hallucinogenic; and culinary. It is also believed to enhance psychic abilities in some religions (such as Wicca).
• Only two of Wormwood's real uses correlate to its use in potion-making. Tonic liquids consist of carbonated, quinine enriched water. If the quinine content was too high, then one could theoretically overdose, inducing severe cinchonism (a.k.a. "quinism"), one of the effects of which is somnolence, similar to the effect the Draught of Living Death produces. Its hallucinogenic properties may be useful in the brewing of Elixir to Induce Euphoria as well.
• The other uses of wormwood may temper or eliminate side-effects of the other ingredients for Draught of the Living Death, hence justifying its inclusion into the mix. In Elixir to Induce Euphoria, however, its bitter taste may be the reason that the mixture has to be sweetened as well.
• The idea that wormwood in the HP universe contains quinine (which may or may not be part of the reason for its choice as an ingredient in various potion) is supported by the fact that it is described as "very bitter" - quinine is famously bitter, hence its addition to tonic water.
• Wormwood has a strong association with the Moon and lunar deities, like Artemis (whom the genus of wormwood plants is named after and who is said to possess powers that are also granted by wormwood).
• Wormwood can also mean a state of bitterness or grief with the emotion, which is ironic since it is used to make the Elixir to Induce Euphoria.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film) (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game) (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game)
• The Road to Hogwarts Sweepstakes
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
• Pottermore
• Harry Potter: Wizards Unite

See also

• Infusion of Wormwood
• Wormwood Essence

External Link

• Wormwood on Wikipedia