Dried Leaf
The leaf of the dried plant, the basis of the traditional tea and powder.
Leaf
Aromatic Annual · Source of Artemisinin
Botanical Overview
Sweet wormwood is an aromatic annual herb with finely divided, softly hairy leaves. It bears small globular flower heads of 2 to 3 mm with a whitish involucre, and each gram of its achenes holds about 12,000 seeds. A native of Asia, it is also found around the Mediterranean.
Life CycleAnnual herb
LeavesFinely divided, hairy
Flower HeadsGlobular, 2–3 mm
OriginAsia
Taxonomic Classification
Taxonomy & Identification
- Latin Name
- Artemisia annua L.
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Common Names
- Sweet wormwood, Chinese wormwood, Qinghao, Absinthe chinoise, Armoise chinoise
- Parts Used
- Leaf
Ethnobotany & Traditional Use
History & Tradition
Chinese physicians have used qinghao for centuries against fevers and malaria. In the 1960s, researchers isolated the active constituent from the leaves of Artemisia annua and named it artemisinin. 123
Artemisinin and its derivatives became the cornerstone of modern antimalarial therapy, and in 2015 Youyou Tu shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery. 456
The plant itself has stayed in use as a tea and powder in parts of Africa and Asia, which has made it the subject of a long debate about whole-plant preparations. 3638
⚠ Drug Versus Herb
Artemisinin-based drugs are proven malaria treatments. The WHO does not support the use of Artemisia plant material in any form for malaria. 37
The Key Compounds
Artemisinin & Co-Constituents — Deep Dive
One potent molecule at low concentration, surrounded by flavonoids and volatile oil.
🧪
Artemisinin
A sesquiterpene lactone that kills the blood stages of the malaria parasite. It is curative rather than preventive, and the dried plant holds only 0.01–0.5% of it. 7
🌼
Flavonoids
A large family of flavones and flavonols that may inhibit cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in artemisinin metabolism, which could increase its availability. 10
🌿
Pharmaceutical Preparations
Parts Used & Available Forms
The leaf is used, as a tea, a powder or the fresh plant.
Tisane
An infusion or decoction of the dried plant. 36
Tea
Powder Capsules
Dried leaf powder in capsules, tested in small clinical series. 833
Powder
Fresh Plant
Fresh leaves or fresh juice, used in traditional practice.
Fresh
Essential Oil
A volatile oil with antimicrobial activity in laboratory studies. 31
Volatile Oil
Purified Artemisinin
The isolated molecule and its derivatives are pharmaceutical drugs, distinct from the plant. 7
Pharmaceutical
Clinical Dosimetry
Dosages
Traditional use is measured in grams of dried leaf, as a tea, juice or powder.
Phytochemistry
Composition
Artemisinin is the signature molecule, set among a wide range of flavonoids and volatile compounds.
Terpenoids & Volatiles
Artemisinin0.01–0.5% of the dried plant, up to 1.3% in selected cultivars 7
Signature
Essential OilArtemisia ketone, 1,8-cineole, and alpha- and beta-pinene 31
Present
Oil Profile (one analysed sample)Camphor 44%, germacrene D 16%, trans-pinocarveol 11%, beta-selinene 9%, beta-caryophyllene 9%, artemisia ketone 3%
Present
PolyynesPresent in the aerial parts
Present
Flavonoids & Phenolics
FlavonesApigenin, luteolin, chrysoeriol, cirsimaritin, cirsilineol, acacetin, chrysin, cynaroside 10
Major
FlavonolsQuercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, rhamnetin, myricetin, tamarixetin, gossypetin, laricitrin, astragalin
Present
Methoxylated FlavonoidsCasticin, axillarin, eupatin, mikanin, chrysoplenol, eupatorin, artemetin, retusin
Present
CoumarinsPresent in the aerial parts
Present
🦟
Antimalarial
Artemisinin kills the blood stages of the parasite and is curative, not prophylactic. 7
🛡️
Preventive Activity
Leaf powder capsules appeared very active preventively in a small study. 8
🧬
Whole-Plant Synergy
Whole extracts outperformed isolated compounds, and low artemisinin content did not prevent in vitro activity of the tea. 91112
⚙️
Cytochrome P450 Modulation
Flavonoids may inhibit enzymes that alter artemisinin metabolism. 10
🍄
Antifungal
Active against fungi in laboratory tests. 14
🤧
Anti-Allergic
An extract reduced allergic responses in rats. 15
🎗️
Anticancer Potential
Artemisinin and artesunate are studied in cancer cells. 161718
🧫
Anti-HIV
Extracts showed remarkable anti-HIV activity in cell tests. 20
🦠
Anti-Herpes
Aerial parts of Artemisia species were active against HSV-1 in vitro. 21
😷
Anti-SARS-CoV-2
🧴
Antibacterial Oil
🕷️
Anti-Borrelia
Active against growing and non-growing forms of Borrelia burgdorferi in vitro. 25
Clinical Applications
Clinical Indications
Malaria dominates the research, but herbal Artemisia is not endorsed for it, and other uses remain at laboratory stage.
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Malaria
Primary Research Area
⚖️
The Whole-Plant Question
Evidence Limits
- Low Content: the plant contains little artemisinin, and the tea's activity is attributed to synergy. 9
- Resistance: dried whole-plant extracts slowed the evolution of resistance in laboratory work. 11
- Unvalidated: the superiority of the traditional preparation over the purified drug has not been confirmed. 13
- Practicality: dried leaf is discussed as a practical option for developing countries. 38
🏛️
WHO Position & Retracted Trials
Regulatory Context
- WHO: does not support the promotion or use of Artemisia plant material in any form for malaria. 37
- Retracted Trials: two large tea trials in the DR Congo, in malaria and schistosomiasis, were retracted by the journal in August 2020 and are not counted as evidence here. 3435
- Widespread Use: the plant is used widely despite the WHO position. 38
🔬
Early-Stage Research
Laboratory Evidence
- Cancer: artemisinin and artesunate are active in cancer cell studies. 1617
- Viruses: activity against HIV and HSV-1, and against SARS-CoV-2 in cell cultures. 20212223
- Lyme Disease: activity against Borrelia in vitro, and a hypothesis report on artesunate and memory. 1925
- Allergy: an anti-allergic effect of the extract in rats. 15
- Related Species: the genus Artemisia has been reviewed for its wider effects, and A. vulgaris leaf extracts showed antimalarial activity in rodent models. 26272829
Pharmacodynamics
Mode of Action
Artemisinin does the heavy lifting against the parasite, with co-constituents that may enhance it.
Clinical Safety
Safety & Interactions
Artemisinin derivatives have low toxicity, but herbal Artemisia is not endorsed for malaria and can harm the liver.
Adverse Effects & Precautions
- Liver: a case of acute cholestatic hepatitis was reported after Artemisia annua tea. 39
- High Doses: very high doses of artemisinin derivatives can cause neurotoxicity and reproductive toxicity.
- Normal Doses: artemisinin derivatives have low toxicity.
- Variable Potency: the artemisinin content of the plant is low and varies, so the dose received is unpredictable.
Contraindications & Interactions
- Malaria: do not rely on the tea or powder to treat or prevent malaria; see a doctor promptly.
- Resistance: under-dosing with the plant is a concern for the spread of drug resistance.
- Drug Interactions: flavonoids may inhibit cytochrome P450 enzymes, so interactions with medicines cleared by them are possible. 10
- Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: safety has not been established; avoid.
Clinical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before using Artemisia annua, particularly if you have liver disease, take prescription medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or may have malaria.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Artemisia annua used for?
Artemisia annua (sweet wormwood, qinghao) is the source of artemisinin, the backbone of modern malaria drugs. The leaves have been taken as a tea or powder for fever and malaria in Chinese and African traditional practice, and the plant is studied in the laboratory for antiviral, antifungal, allergy and cancer-related effects.
What is artemisinin?
Artemisinin is the sesquiterpene lactone endoperoxide of Artemisia annua that kills the malaria parasite in the blood. It makes up only about 0.01–0.5% of the dried plant, and up to 1.3% in selected cultivars. Youyou Tu received the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for its discovery.
Does Artemisia annua tea cure malaria?
Tea delivers variable and low amounts of artemisinin, and proven artemisinin-based combination treatments are available. Anyone with suspected malaria needs prompt medical care.
Which part of sweet wormwood is used?
The leaf. It is taken as a tea (an infusion or decoction), as a powder in capsules, or as the fresh plant or fresh juice.
Were the Artemisia tea trials in the DR Congo retracted?
Yes. Two large trials of Artemisia annua and Artemisia afra tea, one in malaria and one in schistosomiasis, were retracted by the journal in August 2020 over the reliability of the data. They are not counted as evidence on this page.
Is Artemisia annua tea safe?
Artemisinin derivatives have low toxicity at normal doses, although very high doses can cause neurotoxicity and reproductive toxicity. A case of acute cholestatic hepatitis after drinking Artemisia annua tea has been reported, so the tea is not risk-free.
Does Artemisia annua work against COVID-19?
Not proven. Extracts blocked SARS-CoV-2 replication in cell cultures, and a review of the anecdotal use concluded that randomized clinical trials are needed. No clinical benefit has been established.
What is the usual Artemisia annua dosage?
Traditional use ranges from 3 to 10 g of dried plant a day, taken as a decoction, fresh juice or fresh plant. A fever tisane is made from 10 g of dried leaves boiled in 1 L of water. These are traditional amounts, not a treatment for malaria.
Is the whole plant better than pure artemisinin?
The idea is that flavonoids and other compounds work in synergy with artemisinin, and whole-plant extracts outperformed the isolated compound in laboratory work. Whether the traditional preparation is superior to the purified drug has not been validated.
Sources
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