Common wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)

The key ingredient in absinthe is grand wormwood (Artemisia absinthium). Historically, absinthe has been seen as dangerous because it contains thujone, a compound that was believed to trigger neurological issues like hallucinations, headaches, and convulsions. As a result, absinthe was banned in many countries. However, contemporary studies reveal that the thujone content in absinthe is typically too low to cause such effects. Grand wormwood itself is a resilient plant, often found in neglected areas, characterized by its silvery leaves and small yellow flowers during late summer.