Wormwood was a star mentioned in the Bible, in the Book of Revelations, as falling to Earth from outer space and poisoning the waters.
Sarah Jane Smith referred to it, comparing it to Mrs Wormwood, an alien Bane that came to Earth. Mrs Wormwood was secretly a part of an alien invasion, using a soft drink called Bubble Shock! which contained a secretion from the Bane Mother in every bottle: in other words, falling to Earth and poisoning the waters by feeding humans a harmful drink. (TV: Invasion of the Bane)