It embodies the concept of bitterness – both as a moral warning against injustice and as a representation of human suffering. Yet, this bitter plant has evolved beyond its metaphorical roots, revealing a wealth of medicinal properties that have captured the interest of herbalists and scientists alike.
This bitter herb is mentioned nine times in the Hebrew Bible, often symbolizing the bitterness of corruption, injustice and moral decay.
In the time of the prophet Amos, wormwood was used as a metaphor to help the ancient Israelites reflect on how they had turned "sweet justice into something corrupt and bitter" by "abandoning the principles of fairness and righteousness, [and] twisting God's laws (covenant)" that were meant to uphold justice. Wormwood became the perfect symbol for this message.
Wormwood is one of the most bitter herbs on the planet. It contains a compound called absinthin, which gives it extreme bitterness....<<<Read More>>>...