However, I am interested in the translation from the Arabic and Hebrew, לענה (la'anah), which means "curse". Before I expand on that theme, let me quote the Catholic Encyclopedia.
Absinthe
(Hebrew la'anah.)
Wormwood, known for its repulsive bitterness (Jeremiah 9:15; 23:15; Deuteronomy 29:18; Lamentations 3:19; Proverbs 5:4). Figuratively it stands for a curse or calamity (Lamentations 3:15), or also for injustice (Amos 5:7; 6:13). In Apocalypse 8:11, the Greek equivalent ho apsinthos is given as a proper name to the star which fell into the waters and made them bitter. The Vulgate renders the Hebrew expression by absinithium, except in Deuteronomy 29:18, where it translates it amaritudo. It seems that the biblical absinthe is identical with the Artemisia monosperma (Delile), or the Artemisia herba-alba (Asso); or, again, the Artemisia juidaica Linné. (See PLANTS IN BIBLE.)
Wormwood as a curse is more in keeping with the struggles one sees in the lives of people who are trying to become holy. Curses are real and deadly. The Hebrews knew that a cursed family experienced bitterness, wormwood.
Curses come from anger, hatred, the occult, witchcraft and Masonry. Those who are under curses try to be good, try to become holy, but can feel, can sense something holding them back.
Bitterness is families can be the result of years of unforgiveness and resentment. Old grudeges not set aside can cause a life of bitterness. I have seen this is some families.
Often, these families have been literally bogged down by wormwood.
Daily Mass, Adoration and monthly, if not weekly, Confession, can change a life of bitterness into one of fruitfulness. But, it takes work and focus.
If one suspects wormwood in a family, seek out an excellent priest. Join the Auxilium Christianorum.
God is stronger than all evil. But, one has to choose life, not death, sweetness, not wormwood.
