| Latin Name : | Ambrosia artemisiifolia |
| English Name : | Common ragweed |
| French Name : | Herbe à poux |
| Family : | Asteraceae |
| Origin : | Canada |
History and Origin
Poorly known and valued, ambrosia originates from North America. Ambrosia is widely naturalized elsewhere, notably in Europe, where it behaves as a highly invasive plant. You can tell how bad its reputation is when you see wide elimination campaigns being organized.
Interesting is the fact that Edgar Cayce, renown medium, recommended it as a laxative, liver detoxifier and against allergy symptoms (chewed or taken internally). It is also mentioned for various uses in traditional native herbalism, among other things to relieve insects bites and hives.
In scientific aromatherapy, ragweed’s essential oil carries a large proportion of sesquiterpenes (germacrene, from 35% to 54%, and limonene), which are known for their anti-inflammatory properties.
In an evaluation of the essential oil, Dr Jean Claude Chalchat (from the department of sciences of Université Blaise Pascal, in Clermont-Ferrand) mentions an anti-microbial, antibacterial and antifungal effect.