Herbal

Wormwood

Note Profile

Natural 128 perfumes

About

The raw botanical Artemisia absinthium - bitter, green, camphoraceous. Distinct from the absinthe drink accord.

Scent Profile

Wormwood has a sharp, intensely bitter-green aroma with pronounced herbal and camphoraceous facets. Its scent is dry, slightly medicinal, and can evoke crushed leaves and wild grasses, with subtle earthy undertones as it dries down. The note is distinctly aromatic and lacks the aniseed sweetness found in absinthe drink accords.

ScentWheel

Breadthmedium

EnvelopeHeart · ~8h lasting

Origin

Wormwood is derived from the leaves and flowering tops of Artemisia absinthium, a perennial herb native to temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The essential oil is typically obtained through steam distillation of the fresh or dried plant material.

Usage in Perfumery

Perfumers use wormwood primarily in the top or heart of compositions to impart a bitter, green, and aromatic character. It is often blended with other herbal, citrus, or woody notes to create fougère, chypre, and aromatic fragrances, where it adds complexity and a distinctive sharpness.