Main component (25-70%) of the essential, typically green oils of the plant Artemisia absinthum (Vermouth). The substance is also found in mugwort, rosemary, thyme, sage and wormwood plants. The characteristically bitter taste is due to the content of the glycoside absinthin. The substance can cause physical and psychological damage if consumed in excess. As a very strong neurotoxin, it causes epileptic convulsions and can even lead to stupefaction if abused chronically. The plant is used in Vermouth used as a flavouring. The herbal liqueur absinthe distilled from it was banned for some time in its original formulation due to the thujone content, but has been permitted again in EU countries since 1988. It has been found that the amount of thujone contained in the liqueur is harmless to health.
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