Everyone knows about the infamous effects of Absinthe. Absinthe is popular in the whole world for its colorful history and the mysterious myths that surround it.
In the 18th century Absinthe was prepared in Switzerland as an elixir or tonic. From the ancient times it’s main ingredient has been used in medicine in different ways
– A Good tonic
– Compensating poisoning caused by hemlock and toadstools
– For stimulating digestive system
– Known treatment of parasitic intestinal worms.
Absinthe started to be distilled and sold by Pernod at the turn of the 19th century and became famous in La Belle Epoque period and linked with the Bohemian culture of the Montmartre area of Paris – home to many artists and writers. Van Gogh, Verlaine, Baudelaire, Oscar Wilde and Hemingway are among the famous artists and writers who relied on the effects of Absinthe. Some say that Van Gogh cut off his ear while under the influence of the Green Fairy, Absinthe.
Many people began to think that Absinthe was harmful because of the effects caused by it. It was even alleged that a French man had murdered his whole family after drinking Absinthe. In fact, he had consumed a vast amount of other alcoholic beverages after drinking the Absinthe.
The Absinthe effects were blamed on the wormwood extract in the drink which contained a chemical called thujone. Thujone had similarities with TCH, found in the drug cannabis. In France and many other countries Absinthe was banned and made illegal during the year 1915. It was never restricted in Spain, Portugal, the UK or the Czech Republic.
Many people researched thujone and Absinthe and it was found that drinking Absinthe was just as safe as drinking any strong spirits, and liquor with a high alcohol by volume, and that Absinthe contained only very minute quantities of thujone. Absinthe was, therefore, made legal again in many countries in the 1990s. As per EU legislation the bottled Absinthe with 10mg/kg or less of thujone can be sold and US law only allows the sale of Absinthe with suggested amounts of thujone.
The Absinthe ban meant that several new Absinthe-like products had been made to replace Absinthe for satisfying people’s appetite. These beverages are still sold along with artificial Absinthes which have been prepared for the US market. An Absinthe which contains the vital ingredient and wormwood is the real Absinthe. Absinthes which contain real wormwood or Absinthe essences which contain wormwood and can be mixed with vodka or Everclear is appropriate to produce own bottled Absinthe. These essences are used by the Absinthe industry and can be bought online through sites like AbsintheKit.com. They come with instructions on how to use them and are to be used with your Absinthe spoon and glass.
Before drinking a significant amount of Absinthe one must worry about it’s effects. Absinthe should be taken in balance amount!