Ps to Absinthium

[Joy Lucas]

Dear Andrew, yes a very strange remedy and I am trying to contact somebody
who I think may have prescribed it, but you might also be interested in
this.....

The active compound in Artemisia absinthium is Thujone which CAUSES BRAIN
DAMAGE!!! It occurs naturally in all the artemisias. It is a monoterpene
with 10 carbons and is found in many other fragrant plants especially those
which emit an essential oil.

Thujone is related to menthol and can be found in VICKS VAPOUR RUB (yikes).

The theme of two extremes I mentioned before evolve out of the fact that the
alcoholic effects of Absinthe would be sedative but the Thujone content
would cause the excitation and the hallucinations etc. - so you have stupor
AND violence, unconsciousness AND brain excitation etc. Not sure where the
kleptomania fits in though.

Thujone has a structural similarity to Cannabis and some drug companies were
planning to develop the use of Thujone as a new drug.

Absinthe was also known to be an aphrodisiac so perhaps it isn't all bad
news!!!

Best wishes, Joy Lucas
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