Artemisia’s ~Sweet Annie Annua L.

Artemisias are growing out my front door (on more levels than one) . My daughter's name is Artemisia, and it was not until after she was born that I began my journey as an herbalist. I read later that when you find an Artemisia at one’s door you will find an herbalist. Peter Holmes in his book Eastern Energetics and Western Herbs dedicates the book to Artemis, the lady of wild things. I notice Artemisia absinthium, another plant in the Artemisia family, gives way to the newly seeded Artemisia Annua this year, as the grand dam absinthium gracefully cascades over to make room for her sister. 

Among the many genera in the Asteraceae family Artemisias are unique in that they have a rich source of aromatic oils including camphor and thujone. This keeps them bug free. Most of the artemisia’s are perennials that are tolerant of drought, sustain poor soil, and can handle changes of extreme temperature making them good choices for the novice gardener. Artemisia grow best from cuttings, or transplants, with the exception of Sweet Annie Artemisia Annua which is an annual and prefers to be grown from seed. Sweet Annie leaves have a tantalizing fragrance and may be one of the most useful medicinal plants you could have in your garden at this time. Do you need a holistic health center to assist you in treating yourself naturally with traditional methods? 

Dried artemisias retain their oils and so are frequently utilized in bouquets and wreaths or swags made to last, or the Artemisia mugwort is made for dream pillows, aromatic sachets and charms. Artemisia wormwood (absinthium) is the most effective in  targeting parasites and is taken in small doses for up to 100 days for wo/man or beast alike.

Sweet Annie has been known and utilized for 2500 years in China and known as Qing hao, and said to improve energy, prevent aging and curb poisoning. It is also used to treat high fever and to combat fatigue. It is known as a formidable treatment for dysentery, tuberculosis, the common cold, as well as for jaundice, yellow fever, psoriasis and autoimmune conditions. Sweet Annie readily treats external bacterial or fungal skin infections, and can potentially reduce scar tissue as well as reduce neurological peripheral tremors.

Traditionally in Africa, Sweet Annie has been grown and drunk as a tea to both prevent and cure malaria. Recently more in depth studies have been completed to explore the multiple health benefits of Sweet Annie. Western medicine has developed a drug Artesunate to combat malaria and other studies have been carried out to investigate Sweet Annie’s many other merits.

Sweet Annie is found to be highly antibacterial, antifungal, anti parasitic, antiviral and highly anti-inflammatory like many of the plants in the Asteraceae family, and contains many secondary metabolites; terpenoids, flavonoids, coumarins(common in asteraceae) as well as steroids, purines lipids and phenolic compounds. All parts of the plant contain vitamins, proteins, amino acids, and fiber. It is also rich in minerals and trace elements such as potassium, calcium, magnesium manganese and zinc. 

The main active ingredient of Artemisia Annua however, is artemisinin. It is a sesquiterpene lactone and is shown to be the most effective compound of the plant and is responsible for Sweet Annie’s potent antimicrobial properties on the whole. In studies related to anticancer activity Artemisia Anna has shown promising prospects; linked to the inhibition of angiogenesis, the activity of tumor growth. Dr. Hewylai demonstrated that the compounds in Sweet Annie act as a natural form of chemotherapy according to his study by deleting cancerous cells and leaving the healthy ones. This is a hopeful note in the treatment and healing from cancer.

Rosmarinic acid contained in the plant is found  to inhibit the expression of inflammatory compounds in the body. This anti-inflammatory action results in an improvement of all arthritic symptoms in people with both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Sweet Annie has also been found to decrease triglyceride and cholesterol levels as well as improve blood insulin and glucose levels, and may help with renal and hepatic function like its cohort, Barberry, Berberis vulgaris of which I have been taking most of this past year. 

The best way to take Sweet Annie’s plant medicine is in a powder form / 3 capsules a day or in a mother tincture with 10-15 drops 2x a day between meals and away from medication. Not to be taken with young or pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers or with severe gastrointestinal disorders.

Please contact Dharani Healing Arts to see a qualified Holistic health practitioner for non pharmacological pain management for your health, and for all of your herbal healing tea wishes. Custom orders available. Visit the holistic health center or online store to make your selections

Please note: Artemisia Annua is also known as Sweet Annie Annual or  Sweet Sagewort. 

Artemisia Annua is not Mugwort.  Mugwort is correctly known as Artemisia Vulgaris. 

References:

Herbal Adventures with Susun Weed

The Artemisia Genus

Artemisia Annua - Benefits and properties

https://doctonat.com/armoise-annuelle-artemisia-anna/

EarthSmoke Sweet Annie

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Picture compliment of EarthSmoke

ChulaLumpha / Artemisia annua L.  Asian Temple 

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