Just started readng this thread Judderwocky, and remembered (vaguely) from my herbal medicine studies many years ago, that wormwood was toxic, so I looked it up under harmful herbs & this is what it said.......
Medicinal uses: Wormwood has mainly been used as bitter tonic, to increase appetate, stimulate gastric secretion, and improve digestion. It is very useful in cases of dyspepsia dn flatulence. It is also employed as an anthelmintic to expel pinworms and roundworms, particularly in children. it is also occasionally used as a nerve tonic and sedative.
Toxicity: It is toxic in overdose and in long-term applications. Symptoms of acute poisoning include vomiting, dizziness, vertigo and tremor. The isolated oil is particularly hazardous because of the presence of neurotoxic thujone. The oil when ingested in an excessive dose can cause dementia, intoxication, convulsion, and even death. The oil may cause uterine bleeding, which may leads to abortion. Chronic poisoning has been recorded in individuals who had a habit of consuming the alcoholic drink "absinthe" common 100 years ago.
Contraindications: Wormwood should be avoided during pregnancy, and cases of haemorrhoids, peptic ulcers, and acute gastro-enteritis.
(from Herbal Remedies - Harmful and Beneficial Effects by Profesor S Talalaj & Dr A S Czechowicz).
When I was studying herbal medicine, from all my reading, I concluded that this book was an accurate & excellent source of information.
Judderwocky, you've probably already read about Wormwood's toxic effects in your own research, but just thought to include this info for other members reading this thread, just in case they thought it was a harmless herb.
Wormwood was used as a strewng herb in Medieval times in bedchambers etc to eradicate bugs.