Sweet Annie

[Joan]

I have Sweet Annie growing every year and I love the smell but don't really know what to do with it.

I have the Rodale Herb Book which is quite detailed but it isn't mentioned there.

Has anyone used it for anything? Feeling like I should just pull it out and throw it away. :confused:

[Lavandula Girl]

Joan - try referencing the other artemisias in Rodale's.... that might give you a starting point. I'd keep it just for the smell, personally. If you can't think of anything else, maybe just fragrant sachet pillows for your dresser drawers?

[dirtundernails]

Wreaths! Flower circlets with everlasting flowers for your hair (or to sell at rennaisance faires).

dun

[zebraman]

Hey Joan; It is used in the dried flower trade for wreath making and filler in dried arrangements.It is however an effective Deer deterrant.-
Artemisia absinthium is the "narcotic" in the liqour Absinthe.
Also I don't know where you were in the 1970's but this was also the active ingredient in a muscle linament called Absorbine Jr.-

[TastyofHasty]

Joan:
I just read a webpage that said the same thing: it's an excellent deer deterrent ... they say "(we grow it as a hedge for that reason)."

From Common and Uncommon Uses of Herbs for Healthful Living by Richard Lucas (my latest garage-sale find :D ):

(this is regarding wormwood, Artemisia absinthium ... might also work with Sweet Annie which is Artemisia annua according to
http://www.driedflowersdirect.com/dried-flowers/sweet-annie.htm
but is also called "Wormwood.")

"During the Middle Ages this herb was used in great quantities by wool cloth manufacturers as a moth repellent. A book printed in 1802 states: "The smoke arising from lighted bundles of Wormwood, expels bees from their hives, when honey is to be collected, without destroying these useful insects." Wormwood was the principal ingredient of the famous Portland Powder which was employed at one time as a remedy for gout. Joseph Miller wrote that a "cataplasm of the green leaves was commended to Mr. Ray by Dr. Hulse as a good external remedy against the swellings of the Tonsils and Quinzy." Pliny and Dioscorides considered the herb as anthelmintic and tonic. In reference to its use Thomas Greene said:

It is an excellent tonic with strong stimulant properties, useful in weak digestion, flatulency, dyspepsia and other complaints arising from a debilitated condition of the stomach and digestive organs. It must always be given in small doses as it is apt to give rise to vertigo. Steeped in vinegar (two tablespoons to one pint of vinegar) it is excellent to use for sprains to reduce swelling and to take away strain. Woolen cloths dipped in it and applied to a sprain removes discoloration and pain. It keeps moths away from clothes. Take one teaspoonful of the herb to one cup of boiling water -- steep -- use as other herbs.


He goes on about how you can make a liniment for fallen arches by "placing one ounce of powdered wormwood in a pint of rum and to let it steep for one week, shaking the bottle thoroughly every night. At the end of the week the clear liquid was to be strained off, placed in a clean bottle and capped tightly. ... rub this herbal liniment on his feet day and night and, in between times, keep the feet bound with gauze."

And it healed up Benvenuto Cellini ... which I can quote for you if you really want :rolleyes: .

[Joan]

Wow I grow a lot of flowers that driedflowersdirect sells! I better start drying my plants. Dried sunflowers, never thought of it and I have some great ones I'll try cutting tomorrow! I am so excited - my husband will love me having a new hobby!
Well thanks for all your input and one good thing I'll probably have no deer hanging around! lol
Really thank you

[sparrowgrass]

Hey, would you send me some seed heads? I adore the smell.

(BTW, it can be an invasive weed in pastures, especially in spots that are badly overgrazed.)

[Joan]

Sparrowgrass, I will be glad to send you seed heads, just send me a pm with address. That goes for anyone else who would like some, my pleasure!