Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Artemisia (including species such as Artemisia annua and Artemisia vulgaris) has a long history of traditional use in various cultures, especially in Asia and Africa, for preventing and treating respiratory infections, including colds. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Artemisia annua (Qing Hao) is used for its cooling properties and is sometimes incorporated into herbal blends aimed at supporting the immune system and reducing symptoms of fever and chills, which can be associated with colds. Similarly, in African traditional medicine, Artemisia teas are often consumed as a general remedy for respiratory complaints.

However, while there is some laboratory evidence that compounds in Artemisia (such as artemisinin and various flavonoids) possess antimicrobial and antiviral activities, there is limited direct scientific research specifically validating its efficacy for the prevention or treatment of common colds (caused primarily by rhinoviruses and coronaviruses). Most of the scientific attention has focused on its antimalarial properties. Therefore, the use of Artemisia for colds is mainly justified by traditional practices, with only weak supporting evidence from basic science, and no robust clinical trials confirming its effectiveness for this indication.

In summary, Artemisia’s use for colds is rooted in traditional medicine, with a modest evidence rating due to the lack of direct clinical studies despite some promising in vitro findings.

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