Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is a herbaceous essential oil with a herbaceous, bitter, sharp aroma and a heart note. Steam distillation from whole herb, it is a versatile blending oil that pairs well with Clary Sage, Lavender, Frankincense (Carterii). For topical use, keep dilution at or below 0.5%.
Artemisia absinthium. Thujone up to 70%. NEUROTOXIC and potentially convulsant. Extremely restricted use.
Aroma & character
Aroma
Properties
| Perfumery note | Heart |
| Aroma family | Herbaceous |
| Chemical family | Ketone |
| Material type | Essential oil |
| Extraction | Steam distillation |
| Plant part | whole herb |
| Origin | Morocco, France, USA |
| Blending factor | 3 |
| Volatility index | 3 |
| Tenacity (hours) | 6.0 |
Safety & dilution
NEUROTOXIC -- high thujone. Potentially convulsant. Extremely restricted dermal use.
| Max topical dilution | 0.5% |
| Max facial dilution | 0.25% |
| Pregnancy | Not recommended |
| Nursing | Not recommended |
| Children | Not recommended for young children |
| Cats | Not recommended |
| Dogs | Not recommended |
Safety flags
Evidence: Traditional — EODB: 2 GC-MS analyses (Artemisia absinthium).
For education only — not medical or veterinary advice. Essential oils are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. Always patch-test and consult a qualified professional before use during pregnancy, on children, with pets, or with a health condition.
Get the right drops-per-bottle with the drops & dilution calculator.
Blends well with
Frequently asked questions
What does Wormwood essential oil smell like?
Wormwood has a herbaceous, bitter, sharp, camphoraceous aroma, classed as a herbaceous oil with a heart note.
What is the safe dilution for Wormwood?
For topical use, keep Wormwood at or below 0.5%, and 0.25% on facial skin. Always patch-test before wider use.
Is Wormwood safe to use during pregnancy?
Wormwood is not recommended during pregnancy. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before any use.
Is Wormwood safe to use around children?
Wormwood is not recommended for young children. Consult a professional before use.
Is Wormwood safe around pets?
For cats — avoid; not considered safe; dogs — avoid; not considered safe. Diffuse only in ventilated spaces and consult a veterinarian.
What does Wormwood blend well with?
Wormwood pairs well with Clary Sage, Lavender, Frankincense (Carterii), Cedarwood (Atlas), Cypress.