Absinthin is a naturally produced sesquiterpene lactone from the plant Artemisia absinthium. It constitutes one of the most bitter chemical agents responsible for Absinthe's distinct taste. The compound shows biological activity and has shown promise as an anti-inflammatory agent, and should not to be confused with thujone, a neurotoxin also found in Artemisia absinthium. Absinthin's complex structure is classified as a sesquiterpene lactone, meaning it belongs to a large category of natural products chemically derived from 5-carbon "building blocks" derived from isoprene. The complete structure consists of two identical monomers that are attached via a suspected naturally occurring Diels Alder reaction occurring at the alkenes on the 5-membered ring of the guaianolide. The full biosynthesis of Absinthin in Artemisia absinthium has not been elucidated, but a great portion of it can be inferred from the natural product precursors required to access Absinthin.
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