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The Medicinal Herb Info site was created to help educate visitors about the often forgotten wisdom of the old ways of treating illnesses. Many of today's drugs and medicines were originally derived from natural ingredients, combinations of plants and other items found in nature.

We are not suggesting that you ignore the help of trained medical professionals, simply that you have additional options available for treating illnesses. Often the most effective treatment involves a responsible blend of both modern and traditional treatments.

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Sweet Wormwood

Scientific Names

Sweet Wormwood

  • Artemisia annua L.
  • Artemisia chamomilla C.Winkl.

Common Names

  • Sweet Wormwood
  • Sweet Annie
  • Sweet Sagewort
  • Annual Mugwort
  • Annual Wormwood
  • Qing Hao

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Parts Usually Used

The leaves, stems, and aerial parts of the plant are used. The artemisinin content is highest in the leaves during the flowering stage.
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Sweet Wormwood

Description of Plant(s) and Culture

Artemisia annua is an annual short-day plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. It grows 30-100cm tall naturally, though cultivated plants can reach 200cm. The stem is erect and brownish or violet-brown. The leaves are 3-5cm long and divided into two or three small leaflets. The plant has small greenish-yellow flowers 2-2.5mm in diameter arranged in loose panicles. The seeds are brown achenes 0.6-0.8mm in diameter.
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Where Found

Native to temperate Asia but naturalized in many countries including scattered parts of North America. It is grown in Asia, India, Central and Eastern Europe, temperate regions of America, Africa, and Australia.
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Medicinal Properties

Artemisia annua has demonstrated antimalarial, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antitumor, anti-diabetic, and antiparasitic properties. It shows particular promise against COVID-19 in recent studies.
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Biochemical Information

The plant contains over 600 secondary metabolites including artemisinin, flavonoids, coumarins, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, phenolic compounds, and essential oils. Key compounds include artemisinin, artesunate, dihydroartemisinin, artemether, scopolin, and scopoletin.
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Uses

Primary uses include:

  • Treatment of malaria and fever
  • Antiviral therapy including potential COVID-19 treatment
  • Anti-inflammatory applications
  • Cancer treatment support
  • Immune system modulation
  • Treatment of parasitic infections
  • Traditional Chinese medicine preparations

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Formulas or Dosages

Traditional Chinese medicine recommends 4.5-9g of dried herb prepared as an infusion daily. For malaria treatment, artemisinin-based combination therapies are recommended by WHO.
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Warning

Side effects may include:

  • Dizziness
  • Hearing problems
  • Not recommended for those with ulcers or stomach disorders
  • Should be used cautiously during pregnancy due to potential embryotoxicity at high doses
  • May interact with certain medications

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Resource Links

African Medicinal Plants Advancing Cancer Treatment and Management Strategies

Discover Plant-Based Solutions for Combating Malaria Naturally

Wikipedia – Artemisia annua

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center – Artemisia annua Purported Benefits, Side Effects & More

National Library of Medicine – Artemisia annua, a Traditional Plant Brought to Light

ScienceDirect – Artemisia annua

University of Kentucky College of Medicine – Artemisia Annua Could Be Promising Treatment for COVID-19

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