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Artemisia annua Qing Hao (1 Page of 5) The Artemisia annua plant species is found in S. E. Europe to W. Asia. It is a member of the Compositae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Qing Hao. Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses Medicinal | Edible Uses Latin Name: Artemisia annua Common Name: Qing Hao Family: Compositae Author: L. Known Hazards: Skin contact with the plant can cause dermatitis or other allergic reactions in some people[222]. Mature Height: 3 Mature Width: 1 Habitat: A naturalized weed of waste places, roadsides, fallow fields and neglected gardens in eastern N. America[43].
Medicinal Information: Qing Ho, better known in the West as sweet wormwood, is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. An aromatic anti-bacterial plant, recent research has shown that it destroys malarial parasites, lowers fevers and checks bleeding[238, 254]. It is often used in the Tropics as an affordable and effective anti-malarial[254].
The leaves are antiperiodic, antiseptic, digestive, febrifuge[176, 178]. An infusion of the leaves is used internally to treat fevers, colds, diarrhoea etc[222, 254]. Externally, the leaves are poulticed onto nose bleeds, boils and abscesses[222, 238]. The leaves are harvested in the summer, before the plant comes into flower, and are dried for later use[254].
The plant contains artemisinin, this substance has proved to be a dramatically effective anti-malarial[218, 238, 254]. Clinical trials have shown it to be 90% effective and more successful than standard drugs[254]. In a trial of 2000 patients, all were cured of the disease[218].
The seeds are used in the treatment of flatulence, indigestion and night sweats[222].
For further Artemisia annua gardening information click on one of the blue links below Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses Medicinal | Edible Uses
The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'. View their bibliography

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