Definition:

Moroccan Arabic: ????

Sheba (sometimes spelled chiba) is the Moroccan Arabic word for wormwood, or the Artemisia absinthium plant. It should not be confused with "common wormwood" which is another plant altogether.

Wormwood belongs to the daisy family. Aromatic and bitter, it has long been noted for its medicinal properties. Moroccans use it to make Green Tea with Sheba, sometimes alone or in combination with other herbs such as mint.

In traditional medicine, wormwood is used to eliminate parasites, aid digestion, alleviate menstrual cramps, and treat fever and other ailments. Its oil is a key ingredient in the making of absinthe, a highly-alcoholic beverage which has been banned in the United States and many European countries.

 

Alternate Spellings: chiba