Leaves gathered before the plant is in flower were used by settlers to make tea for the treatment of colds, flu, malarial fever, dysentery, and diarrhea. The plant is indigenous to Asia, and it has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine, where it is known as Qing Hao. This herbal medicine was much in the news in the early 2000s when studies proved that this plant was an effective therapy for malaria, even in cases that were resistant to treatment with quinine or chloroquine. The extracted compound of the leaves is called artemisinin (and derivatives artemether and artesunate). The World Health Organization recommended ACT (meaning “artemisinin-based combination therapy”) for treatment of malaria. Unfortunately, as of 2009, malarial parasites were becoming resistant to artemisinin too. More recently, scientists are exploring its anti-cancer effects. Experiments include attaching artemisinin to the iron-carrying molecule transferrin, which tricks cancer cells into taking up the transferring-artimisinin complex. Once inside the cells it acts to release free radicals and kill the cells. A related plant Artemisia absinthium or wormwood is the source of absinthe, an addictive and toxic drink popular in 19th century France. As the names suggest, both wormwoods contain antiparasitic compounds.
Toxicity:
A related plant Artemisia absinthium or wormwood is the source of absinthe, an addictive and toxic drink popular in 19th

Part used::
Leaves

Origin:
Asia

Hull, Kathleen; Photog. Hull, Meredith /Indiana Medical History Museum: Guide to the Medicinal Plant Garden./ USA: Indiana Medical History Museum. 2010. -- p. 58.