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Artemisia annua is a weed-like plant that originates in Asia, it has been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine, and has now been naturalized in many different countries.
Artemisia annua is antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, an antioxidant, and has immunoregulatory and anti-cancer properties.
Artemisia annua is best known for its ability to kill deadly malarial parasites, primarily through a powerful compound called artemisinin. Current antimalarial drugs have been formulated using artemisinin from the plant, but lack many other qualities of the herb and are a poor substitute. Unlike with antimalarial pharmaceutical drugs, malarial parasites can’t build up a resistance to artemisia annua, which works not only as a preventative to catching malaria, but also to completely eradicate the parasites from the bloodstream. A close “cousin” to artemisia annua is artemisia afra, a plant native to South and East Africa with a similar nature and possibly superior antimalarial properties.
Not just for malaria
Artemisia annua has been effectively used to treat fevers, cancer, HIV, hepatitis-B, Lyme disease, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and many other diseases. It has also recently been used in Madagascar for the prevention and treatment of covid-19.
One of the most effective ways to consume artemisia annua and release all its healing power is as an infusion (straight plant made into tea). It is also possible to buy A. Annua in tincture or capsule form; as the loose leaf herb is somewhat difficult to find online, and more cumbersome to travel with, these may be easier options.
Herb Highlights are meant to be brief and provide a basic overview of the featured herb’s properties. If you would like more information about this particular plant, such as medicinal properties, chemical compounds, efficacy studies, and contraindications, I encourage you to explore the following links, and as always recommend doing your own research.
“A Systematic Review of Anti-malarial Properties…” by Samira Alesaeidi & Sepide Miraj. 2016 Oct 25.
“The Malaria Business: Big Pharma vs Natural Medicine” by Bernard Crutzen. 2019, Nov 1. (a video including studies on A. Annua and why it is not approved by W.H.O. and banned in many countries – I highly recommend).
Each person’s body and needs are unique, though this herb is natural and considered safe by most, I am unaware of any pre-existing conditions or medications you may be taking and how those would interact; it is advisable to check with your doctor before starting anything new, especially if you are taking pharmaceutical medications. Herbs can interact with each individual differently, though many people experience the same effects, you may not get the same results when using certain herbs.
