cis-Chrysanthenol, A Main Component in Essential Oil of<i>Artemisia absinthium</i>L. Growing in Auvergne (Massif Central), France

Abstract

ABSTRACT Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.) essential oil obtained by steam distillation has been investigated by GC and GC/MS. The main component was determined to be either (α + β) thujone or cis-chrysanthenol, depending upon the maturation state of the plant. In wormwood harvested after flowering period (October or November), the amount of cis-chrysanthenol may reach more than 60%. The wormwood growing in Auvergne could be considered to be a new chemotype; a cis-chrysanthenol chemotype.