The effects of Absinthe are infamous. Absinthe is famous throughout the world for its colorful history and the hidden myths.

In the 18th century Absinthe was prepared in Switzerland as an elixir or tonic. The herb wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium) which is main ingredient of it has been used in medicine in various form since ancient times
-It can be used as a tonic
-  To negate poisoning caused by hemlock and toadstools
- To improve digestion
- Known treatment of parasitic intestinal worms.

During the 19th century Absinthe started to be distilled and sold by Pernod and became famous in La Belle Epoque period and linked with the Bohemian culture of the Montmartre area of Paris. Various well known artists and writers such as Van Gogh, Verlaine, Baudelaire, Oscar Wilde and Hemingway believed on the effects of Absinthe saying that it freed their minds and inspired them. Some say that Van Gogh cut off his ear while under the influence of the Green Fairy, Absinthe.

Lots of people began to believe that Absinthe was harmful claiming that it was psychoactive, an hallucinogen and could give rise to violence and mental illness. It was even described that a French man murdered his whole family after drinking Absinthe. Other alcoholic beverages must have been taken in decent amount after drinking the Absinthe.

The Absinthe effects were blamed on the wormwood extract in the drink which contained a chemical called thujone. Similarities are there between thujone and TCH which is found in the drug cannabis. In France and many other countries Absinthe was banned and made illegal during the year 1915. Countries Spain, Portugal, the UK or the Czech Republic has never banned it.

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. The bottled Absinthe which contains 10mg/kg or less of thujone can be sold as per EU legislation.

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. The vital ingredient and wormwood which gives Absinthe it’s characteristic bitter flavor are the contents of real Absinthe. Absinthes or Absinthe essences that contain wormwood and are soluble with vodka or Everclear can be used to produce bottled Absinthe. These essences are used by the Absinthe industry and can be bought online through sites like AbsintheKit.com. They come with instructions of using them and should be used with Absinthe spoon and glass.

One must think about Absinthe effects if drinking it in heavy amount. Remember that Absinthe is twice as strong as whisky and drink it in moderation!