Application
Ancient physicians used ambergris for cramps, sciatica, urinary tract diseases, menstrual problems, and as an antidote for snake and scorpion bites.
In the monks' monastery medicine, the plant mixed in wine was used for chest and tendon pain, shortness of breath, cough and lower back pain. It was also used as a urine purifier and as an antidote, including for viper bites. It has also been used as a remedy for unchastity.
Later, ambergris was used against excessive stomach acid, as a stimulant and as an anthelmintic.
Ambergris is one of the fragrant herbs that women brought to church to stay awake during the long services. The plant, like wormwood, has also been used as a moth repellent.
In folk medicine, the plant is still used for loss of appetite, difficulty urinating, diarrhea, and bronchitis, as well as as a diaphoretic. It is also claimed that the ashes of the burned herb can make hair grow in bald spots.
Ingredients
Volatile oil, bitter substance and tannic acid.
Artemisia abrotanum L.
Photo from page in Joachim Burser's herbarium.
