Absinth Ingredient

The Absinth ingredient is what makes this drink so controversial. Although Absinth is composed of many different and potent herbs, the unpolished scientific research pointed to the absinth ingredient as the responsible for epilepsy attacks, madness and violence among consumers of the XIX and early XX century. The evidence was not at all conclusive, technology of that time was insufficient to really disclose what was causing those effects. Simple low quality adulterations or excessive alcoholic abuse of any kind can account for those symptoms.

Because the absinth ingredient was probably the most powerful and obviously the main one (hence the name absinth), it was attacked without mercy. The quick way the ban was executed brings up a number of suspicions and questions. Where were all the patients of "absinthionism" (a term coined up for the addicts of absinth)? It's very strange the mental asylums for example, did not register an increase in patients because of the use of absinth, or that people got healed when the ban was executed. Some say it was simply because of absinth's high concentration of alcohol. 60% alcohol is common in most brands and is easy to find even higher levels, because alcohol preserves the essential oils in the herbs contained in absinth. Authorities were having a serious time controlling plain drunkenness and wanted to get rid of the primary cause, the absinth ingredient was just the fall guy. This could be true as a ban in all alcohol beverages is impractical, just as history has clearly demonstrated.

Modern research has demonstrated that large amounts of the neurotoxin alpha-thujone acts on the same brain receptor responsible for a form of epilepsy. In the garden, wormwood (absinth common name) is planted near vegetables to keep animals away. If sprayed it can be a good natural insecticide for moths.

The absinth ingredient is used often as medicine for loss of appetite and for the stomach, liver and gall bladder disorders.

Today, the legendary drink is legal all around the world, leaving out only the absinth ingredient. You see, some brands took it out entirely to have authorities happy, while others have diluted it to meet the countries regulations, these vary according to their own judgment and independent research of the levels that are allowed in the drink.

The connoisseurs say it is the right mixture of herbs that produce absinth's unusual effects. Many are famous healing herbs, some more mystical that medicinal were used to keep away evil spirits, among other uses. Millions of people are drinking it, this is proof enough the consequences so widely spread are more folk myth than reality. As with any drink, reasonable amounts ingested can be good to your health. It is only when irresponsible, excessive abuse of any substance is consumed that the body will be harmed.