Artemisia annua is a bitter-tasting plant that has a long history of use for its various health benefits.
This plant is also commonly referred to as sweet wormwood or sweet Annie. Both names will be used throughout this article.
Sweet wormwood is commonly used as a treatment for malaria, this is due to its artemisinin content, a phytochemical that works to treat malaria. This herb has also been shown to help to reduce symptoms of arthritis, as well as with blood sugar regulation.
In this article, we will look at the benefits of sweet wormwood, its safety, and its history.
Table of Contents
What is Artemisia annua?
Artemisia annua is an annual plant in the Asteraceae (i.e. sunflower) plant family. It was originally native to China but is now localized in many countries, including scattered areas of North America
The scientific name for this herb is Artemisia annua, but it’s commonly called sweet wormwood. In China, this herb is known as huang hua hao.
Note that this herb is different than common wormwood, which is known as Artemisia absinthium.
The leaves of this plant have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat fever and other symptoms related to malaria.
Modern research indicates that Artemisia annua benefits various diseases such as malaria, diabetes, heart diseases, and arthritis. It also appears that sweet wormwood possesses antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects.
Health Benefits of Artemisia annua:
There are many purported benefits of artemisia annua. As a malaria treatment, Artemisia annua is scientifically proven to be effective.
Other uses, including for arthritis, are still being explored.
Below is a review of the top research-backed artemisia annua benefits.
1. May Help Treat Malaria
Artemisia annua, and its primary compound artemisinin, is a common treatment for malaria that’s used throughout the world.
Malaria is a parasitic infection transmitted by mosquitoes that can be life-threatening and poses a significant risk to global health. It’s estimated that two billion people risk contracting malaria annually.
Artemisia annua was used as far back as 200BC in traditional Chinese medicine as a herbal remedy for malaria and fevers. This old remedy was rediscovered in 1960s during the Vietnam war when troops in North Vietnam requested a new way to treat malaria as they fought in mosquito-infested jungles.
The Chinese government launched a secret research program investigating both known chemicals and traditional Chinese medicines for the treatment of malaria. The scientists tasked with studying traditional medicine ultimately produced the powerful botanical compound known as artemisinin, which was shown to be effective in patients with malaria (with a ~98% success rate).
Artemisinin is chemically categorized as a sesquiterpene lactone, it’s found concentrated in the upper leafy section of the Artemisia annua plant.
There are many different derivatives of artemisinin that have been created by various pharmaceutical companies, these include:
- Artesunate
- Artemether
- Arteether
- Dihydroartemisinin
Numerous clinical trials over the last 50 years have shown that artemisinin, and its various derivatives, are the most effective treatment for malaria.
While artemisinin is an incredibly effective compound in combatting malaria, it has one downside in that it is rapidly metabolized and moves through the bloodstream quickly. Hence, it cannot be used prophylactically to prevent malaria.
Summary:
Artemisinin, a phytochemical found in Artemisia annua, has been found to effectively treat malaria. It has been used successfully for the last 50 years to save lives throughout the world.
2. Antimicrobial Properties
Research shows that sweet wormwood has strong antimicrobial properties. This makes it one of the best herbs for immune health.
Lab-based research shows that sweet wormwood essential oils are effective in stopping both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including:
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Enterococcus hirae
- Streptococcus pneumonia
- Bacillus spp.
- Listeria innocua
- Escherichia coli
- Shigella spp.
- Salmonella enteritidis
- Klebsiella pneumonia
- Haemophilus influenza
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- and more
Regarding its antifungal activities, sweet wormwood has been shown to be effective against:
- Aspergillus fumigatus
- Candida albicans
Artemisia annua has also been shown to be effective against a variety of soilborne fungal pathogens.
Summary:
Sweet wormwood may have strong effects against various bacteria strains and fungal pathogens. Further research is needed to verify the exact constituents within artemisia that work to attack these various microbes.
3. Antioxidant Properties
Research shows that another benefit of Artemisia annua is its antioxidant properties. These medicinal properties are thought to be due to the plant’s phenolic compound content.
Reactive oxygen species and free radicals are produced in the human body as a result of normal metabolism. Research shows that long-term exposure to these damaging molecules can cause various chronic diseases, including cancer and diabetes. Antioxidants help to neutralize these harmful molecules and protect the body.
A study looked at the impact of Artemisia annua leaf in cell culture models as well as in animals. Artemisia was shown to have antioxidant effects.
Another test-tube study found that the essential oil of artemisia had an antioxidant response. The researchers noted that it showed a good antioxidant capacity, in particular as antiradical scavengers.
Another lab-based study found that A. annua leaf has antioxidant capacity.
Summary:
Lab-based research shows that sweet wormwood may have antioxidant properties.
4. May Help With Arthritis
Research indicates that sweet wormwood benefits those suffering from arthritis.
A human clinical pilot study found that sweet wormwood extract was effective in improving joint mobility and reducing joint stiffness and pain scores. The researchers tested doses of 150mg twice per day and 300mg