The Greek word rendered Wormwood in English translations of the NT is also apsinthos. Strong's Concise Dictionary of the words of the Greek Testament has nothing interesting to add except that the word is of "uncertain derivation." (Don't have a proper copy to cite bibliographical particulars)

As to the Kali reference you made in your post above - that's very interesting.

In Acts 15:22-29 is presented within an editorial framework the letter sent to the Gentile church by the Jewish church in Jerusalem. It contains instruction and exhortation for gentile converts to Christianity. vv 28 & 29 contain parting injunctions:

28 "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials:

29 "that you abstain from things SACRIFIECED TO IDOLS and from BLOOD and from things STRANGLED and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell." (BTW, nothing there about tithing)

The Hindu cult of Kali (I could be wrong, but think this is correct) engages in Thugee/Thuggery - ritual strangulation (scarf, knot, rupee), burial of victims (hungry earth), and ritual meal (feeding followers) atop the grave of the buried victims. Again, if my memory is correct, Kali's followers don't shed blood because the object of their worship is so unstable as to go berserk in the presence of bloodletting, killing her devotees, etc., etc.

While not the historian I should be, I find it interesting that the early church was concerned about things strangled. The blood is easily explained by the various OT references wherein notice is given that "the life is in the blood." I guess that probably means that YHWH permitted and permits His people (Jewish and Gentile) to consume the flesh, but not the life, of those creatures eaten as food.

There is no bloodletting when the victims are vaporized. No burial, either, though.

What was the name of that Alamagordo prophecy book?

vM