Sweet wormwood (artemisinin)

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Other names for this ingredient

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Synopsis of sweet wormwood

Sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua), also known as qing hao in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is a fast-growing annual herb native to Asia and southeastern Europe, now cultivated worldwide. It belongs to the Asteraceae family and is distinct from common wormwood (Artemisia absinthium). Sweet wormwood is most famous for being the source of artemisinin, a sesquiterpene lactone with potent antimalarial properties, and is the foundation of modern artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) used globally to treat Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

Beyond its antimalarial effects, sweet wormwood also exhibits antiviral, antibacterial, antiparasitic, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. The whole herb and its extracts contain a spectrum of compounds, including flavonoids, essential oils, coumarins, and other sesquiterpene lactones, which contribute to its broad-spectrum biological activity.

In integrative and herbal medicine, sweet wormwood is explored for immune modulation, Lyme disease protocols, viral infections (including herpes and hepatitis), and cancer support therapies. It also shows promise for gut infections, fever reduction, and oxidative stress modulation.

Historical Use:
Sweet wormwood has been used for over 2,000 years in Traditional Chinese Medicine, where it was first documented in the 2nd century BCE in the medical text Zhou Hou Bei Ji Fang by Ge Hong. Qing hao was used to treat fevers, chills, and heat-related illnesses, particularly intermittent fevers, which we now recognize as a hallmark of malaria.

The modern rediscovery of artemisinin occurred in the 1970s during China’s Project 523, when scientist Tu Youyou isolated artemisinin from Artemisia annua. Her work revolutionized malaria treatment and earned her the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Since then, ACTs (artemisinin combined with other antimalarials) have become the gold standard for malaria treatment globally.

In Western herbal traditions, sweet wormwood was less known historically than its cousin A. absinthium, but it has gained rapid popularity in recent decades for its role in antiparasitic protocols and chronic infections. It is often included in herbal antiparasitic and anti-Lyme protocols, usually as part of multi-herb formulations with black walnut, clove, or berberine-containing herbs.

Modern Use and Safety:
Sweet wormwood is available in capsule, tincture, tea, and standardized extract forms. Artemisinin itself is regulated and often used under clinical supervision due to its potency and potential for developing resistance in malaria parasites when misused.

While generally well tolerated in short-term use, high doses or prolonged use of artemisinin derivatives may affect liver enzymes and oxidative balance. Whole herb preparations are considered gentler, but should still be used with caution and guidance—especially in pregnant women and those with liver issues.

Sweet wormwood is used for these health conditions

Fever (Traditional)
Infection (Scientific)
Infection (viral) (Scientific)
Influenza (Traditional)
Malaria (Scientific)
Parasites (general) (Traditional)
Parasites (nematodes, worms) (Traditional)

sweet wormwood is used to support these body systems

Digestive System (Traditional)
Immune System (Traditional)
Intestinal System (Traditional)
Stomach (Traditional)