Artemisia-Annua, also known as sweet wormwood, is a small herb that mainly grows in north-temperate countries like Canada, Russia, China, and Greenland. These species belong to the Asteraceae plant family, which comprises more than a thousand different species. With light greenish leaves in the winter, the sweet wormwood blooms greenish-yellow flowers around June/August, which have pleasant scents. The flowers of this herb were so beautiful that the Greeks believed that it was found by the forest goddess Artemis and named after her. The Chinese also find this herb special as it has been used for centuries to treat/cure different illnesses.
In modern-day medicine, the Artemisia-Annua is said to have a lot of benefits. Pharmaceutical companies use its elements to synthesize drugs that have led to medical breakthroughs, especially of cancer treatment.
Chemical Composition Of The Artemisia-Annua (Sweet Wormwood)
Many chemical compounds can be obtained from sweet wormwood. These compounds can be extracted separately and help treat illnesses if appropriately used. One of the most active compounds in Artemisia-Annua is Thujone. Thujone is an essential oil obtained mainly from the stem of the sweet wormwood. This oil is so valuable that its contribution to the research in the area of neuroscience can’t be overemphasized. The thujones are of two types alpha and beta. The alpha possesses toxic elements that harm the body, while the beta contains elements that can help fix damaged links in the body’s nervous system. Other components responsible for making Artemisia-Annua a medicinal plant include absinthin isomers, artemisinin, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and coumarins. These compounds improve the body’s digestive, immune, and nervous systems and are used in the production of a natural Artemisia-Annua Supplement.
Benefits/Usage of the Artemisia-Annua Herb
There are a lot of benefits that come with using sweet wormwood and its extracts; here are some of the benefits
For Alcoholic Beverages
In the past, the sweet wormwood herb was used to produce alcoholic beverages in the US until it was banned in 1912. The reason for the ban was that the toxic components of the herb caused its consumers to hallucinate. It’s still used in other parts of the world where it’s considered medicinal.
For the Treatment of Digestive Disorder
Before the invention of modern medicine, ancient Europeans and Asians used Artemisia to treat digestive and eating disorders. The herbs were given to people who constantly witnessed a loss of appetite or difficulties processing food. Artemisinin, the bitter component of the herbs, is responsible for stimulating blood flow around the body, causing an improvement in the digestive system.
Treatment of Tuberculosis
Extracts from Artemisia-Annua were proven by scientists in 2019 to be effective against tuberculosis-causing bacteria in animals.
Dosage
There is no official dosage for the usage of the Artemisia-Annua. However, the US and EU limit consumption of thujone to 10 ppm and 0.25mg, respectively, for commercially produced foods. Traditionally, sweet wormwood can be taken as a tea, and its essential oil can be applied to any painful body part.
Conclusion
Artemisia-Annua has been used for centuries to treat humans. With further research, this herb can potentially cure some of the deadliest illnesses today.
