African Wormwood

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Artemisia afra botanical description and general info.

Botanical Name: Artemisia afra (COMPOSITAE)

Common Names: African Wormwood; Wormwood; Afra

Active Constituents: a-Thujone; b-Thujone; 1,8-Cineole; Bormeol; Camphor

Botanical description: Artemisia afra

Artemisia afra is an errect multi-stemmed perennial shrub of up to two metres in height. It has feathery leaves, finely devided which is usually grayish to green in color. Yellowish and inconspicuous flowers appear on branch ends.

Artemisia afra Historical and Shamanic Use:

Artemisia afra, also known as African wormwood is closely related to the European wormwood (absinthe). African wormwood is one of the oldest and best known medicinal plants among traditional healers in Africa. During the devastating African influenza epidemic of 1918, Artemisia afra was also used as cure.

World- wide there is about 400 species of Artemisia, many are used medicinally. Commonly known as mugwort, it is described by Huxley et al (1992) as ‘a condiment with supposed magical properties’. Artemisia afra is the only specie indigenous to Africa – afra means from Africa. Artemisia afra is still used effectively today in South Africa by people of all cultures. Numerous ailments are treated with it, mainly coughs, colds and influenza, but also headache, earache, malaria and intestinal worms. The fresh and dry leaves and young stems are used as decoctions, infusions and tinctures. Narcotic, analgesic and antihistamine activity have been demonstrated in preliminary tests.

Artemisia afra, Premium Grade African Wormwood