Visiting the 'green fairy': Absinthe-tourism - A potential challenge for travel medicine?

Increasingly, travellers are looking for novel and unusual tourism experiences. Local produce, such as wine and food, has long been a strong visitor magnet. The search for pleasurable experiences has extended to substances that may be illegal at home, or to those surrounded by mystery. Travel medicine needs to be aware of new trends in tourism, especially if they involve substances with potential health risks, so that appropriate travel health advice can be given including the consideration of potential adverse reactions with current medications or pre-existing conditions. This article introduces a relatively new trend, 'absinthe-tourism', the mysterious drink itself, its flamboyant history and the escalating health issues in the 19th century that finally led to its ban in many countries. Absinthe is now freely available from reputable distilleries. Today, medical concern lies rather with unscrupulous suppliers on the internet, high alcohol content and adulterations. Until evidence suggests otherwise, there may be no concern for healthy travellers on the 'fairy-trail'.

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