wormwood

IPA: wˈɝmwʊd

An intensely bitter herb (Artemisia absinthium and similar plants in genus Artemisia) used in medicine, in the production of absinthe and vermouth, and as a tonic.
(figurative) Something that causes bitterness or affliction; a cause of mortification or vexation.
(Christianity) A star or angel that appears in the Book of Revelation, turning waters bitter and poisonous.
A surname.

Examples of "wormwood" in Sentences

No wonder your home brew tasted awful: wormwood is exceedingly bitter.
Dr. Magnan would later blame the chemical thujone, contained in wormwood, for these effects. [wiki]
In Europe, however, this isn't the case; "wormwood" is used only for the absinth-producing species, Artemisia absinthium.
Confusing mugwort with wormwood is at the level of confusing potato (Solanum tuberosum) with black nightshade (Solanum nigrum) because they share the genus Solanum.
The myth of absinthe's mind-altering properties is based on the idea that a chemical in wormwood called thujone causes hallucinations and other mental instability, and even addiction.
[ "Make wormwood wine thus: take _aqua vitæ_ and malmsey, of each like much, put it in a glasse or bottell with _a few leaves of dried wormwood_, and let it stand certain days,] and strein out a little spoonfull, and drink it with a draught of ale or wine: [it may be long preserved.]" [