ABSINTHIUM

ABSINTHIUM, Wormwood, a Medicinal Plant, of considerable Efficacy in quality of a Bitter and Stomachic. See STOMACHIC, &c.

There are divers Kinds hereof enumerated by Botanists; at least 30. Those which obtain in Medicine, are, 1°, the Roman or small, call'd also Pontic; used as a Stomachic, Astringent, Discutient, and to prevent Putrefaction. — Etmuller says, there is not a chronic Distemper in which it is not serviceable. — A Conserve of the Roman Absynthium is now also much used.



2°, The common or large Wormwood, bitterer much than the former, and anciently used not only as a Stomachic and a Destroyer of Worms, but also a Detergent; and prescribed against the Jaundice and Dropsy: But it is now grown into disuse in those Intentions, as being prejudicial to the Eyes; and is now chiefly retained as an Ingredient in some of the Medicinal Compositions; and particularly some cephalic distill'd Waters. See WATER.Its Infusion in Wine, makes what they call Vinum Absynthites. See WINE. — The Pharmacopoeias also mention an Extract of Absynthium, Extractum Absynthii; and a Syrup of Absynthium, Syrupus de Absynthio.

Some will have this to yield the Semen Sanctum, or Santonicum, i.e., Wormseed; but Matthiolus affirms the contrary. See SANTONICUM.

The Word is compounded of the Privative Particle ἀ, and σύνθιον, potable; q. d. not potable.

ABSINTHIUM