southernwood

An aromatic shrub (Artemisia abrotanum) growing to 1 m/3¼ ft; leaves finely divided with narrow thread-like lobes, grey-haired beneath; flower-heads globular, 3–4 mm/0·12–0·16 in across; florets dull yellow. Of uncertain origin, it is widely grown as an ornamental. Its sweetly aromatic leaves are used for flavouring. (Family: Compositae.)

Southernwood, Old Man, Boy's Love, Oldman Wormwood, Lover's Plant, Appleringie, Garderobe, Our Lord's Wood, Maids Ruin, Garden Sagebrush, European Sage, Lad's Love, Southern Wormwood, or Lemon Plant, is a flowering plant, Artemisia abrotanum. Historically it was used as strewing herb. Southernwood was historically used as an air freshener or strewing herb. Its dried leaves are used to keep moths away from wardrobes. An infusion of the leaves claims to work as a natural insect repellent when applied to the skin or if used as a hair rinse is said to combat dandruff. It is also said that young men in some areas used to rub the leaves or a decoction of them into their faces to promote the growth of a beard. To stimulate beard growth, they daily rubbed fresh southernwood leaves (which were lemon scented) on their faces. In rural areas, where southernwood was known as lad's love and maid's ruin, the herb acquired a reputation for increasing young men's virility. Southernwood is used in love spells, either carried or placed in the bedroom.

The pungent, scented leaves and flowers are used in herbal teas. In Italy, it is used as a culinary herb. Its used as an insect and moth repellent (the reason why the French call the plant Garderobe).