From A Modern Botanical:

The flowers, dried and powdered, are most effectual as a vermifuge, and used to be considered excellent in agues. The essential oil of the herb is used as a worm-expeller, the spirituous extract being preferable to that distilled in water. The leaves give out nearly the whole of their smell and taste both to spirit and water, but the cold water infusions are the least offensive.

The intensely bitter, tonic and stimulant qualities have caused Wormwood not only to be an ingredient in medicinal preparations, but also to be used in various liqueurs, of which absinthe is the chief, the basis of absinthe being absinthol, extracted from Wormwood. Wormwood, as employed in making this liqueur, bears also the name 'Wermuth' - preserver of the mind - from its medicinal virtues as a nervine and mental restorative. If not taken habitually, it soothes spinal irritability and gives tone to persons of a highly nervous temperament. Suitable allowances of the diluted liqueur will promote salutary perspiration and may be given as a vermifuge. Inferior absinthe is generally adulterated with copper, which produces the characteristic green colour...

Dr. John Hill (1772) recommends Common Wormwood in many forms. He says:
'The Leaves have been commonly used, but the flowery tops are the right part. These, made into a light infusion, strengthen digestion, correct acidities, and supply the place of gall, where, as in many constitutions, that is deficient. One ounce of the Flowers and Buds should be put into an earthen vessel, and a pint and a half of boiling water poured on them, and thus to stand all night. In the morning the clear liquor with two spoonfuls of wine should be taken at three draughts, an hour and a half distance from one another. Whoever will do this regularly for a week, will have no sickness after meals, will feel none of that fulness so frequent from indigestion, and wind will be no more troublesome; if afterwards, he will take but a fourth part of this each day, the benefit will be lasting.'

He further tells us that if an ounce of these flowers be put into a pint of brandy and let to stand six weeks, the resultant tincture will in a great measure prevent the increase of gravel - and give great relief in gout. 'The celebrated Baron Haller has found vast benefit by this; and myself have very happily followed his example.'

However: I like the idea of using herbs, though I don't know a lot about them, but I believe wormwood being fairly poisonous is most of the reason absinthe was outlawed for so long, so I'd proceed with extreme caution. (Unless you're in *desperate* need of de-worming, I guess.)

What a very odd gift. Do you have gout?

Is it from the UK?
I remember trying to get from wormwood back in the 90s.
Let me see if i can find any of my stuff on it.

This page (found on Google; not vouching for its accuracy) is listing two species of wormwood, with Artemisia absinthium ("common wormwood") labeled "Caution: Toxic and habitual, can cause brain damage. Do not use" and Artemisia annua ("sweet wormwood") listed without any real medicinal qualities.

Really, I would thank her for thinking of you and then NOT CONSUME IT in any form. If you're into absinthe, maybe find a way to display it as a curiosity that prevents anyone from consuming it any form, even if they've just consumed absinthe.

And, again, I say this as someone who just went to the local herbalist and bought some echinacea flower essences to help my spiritual energy. (Yes, really.)

I don't know about it for gout, but apparently large amounts of cherry juice works wonders.

• No gout here. Healthy, actually.
• Shipped from Oregon. Purchased through Amazon.
• I completely forgot about the absinthe connection. I doubt that's what she has in mind, though.

I find that most people who are into these sorts of things enough to be giving them as gifts are generally delighted when someone asks for guidance or information about them. Are you sure that a note/email/call telling her you're super-excited to get more information on wormwood's uses would be taken badly?

This herbalist is also saying that wormwood can be smoked or used as incense.

Are you sure that a note/email/call telling her you're super-excited to get more information on wormwood's uses would be taken badly?

No, not entirely. I'm just always afraid of sounding unappreciative. It's probably just me.
An email simply asking directions for use would probably be good.

Thanks all!

The amount of wormwood in absinthe apparently has a fairly negligible effect (large doses of alcohol on the other hand...): (wikipedia. Keep it away from your guinea pigs!

For usage, I'd go with authentic decoration, in combination with something like this.