Annual mugwort is a medicinal plant of the genus Artemisia in the composite family. The Latin name of the plant is Artemisia annua and is composed of the name of the Greek goddess of hunting and forest Artemis and the Latin term annus – German “year”-.
Occurrence and cultivation of the annual mugwort.
Annual mugwort is a herbaceous plant that reaches heights of 0.4 to 1.5 m and exudes a strong essential scent of camphor, thyme or mint. Annual mugwort originated in China and Vietnam and is now found in all humid temperate and humid continental climates of Europe and Asia. In addition, it has been cultivated for medicinal reasons in Africa and South America for several years. The medicinal plant thrives well in warmth and grows preferentially in the lowlands and on sandy and calcareous soils. Even in Germany, especially in the Elbe region, there are individual sites. In addition, it is possible to grow the medicinal plant from seed in spring and subsequently cultivate it in the home garden. A bright location and a good water supply are important in this case. A relative of the annual mugwort is the common mugwort native to Europe, which is also known as spice mugwort. It is mainly used in traditional German cuisine and should not be confused with its Asian relative, which has a different mode of action. The annual mugwort is a herbaceous plant that reaches heights of 0.4 to 1.5 m and exudes a strong essential scent of camphor, thyme or mint. Its foliage leaves are pinnately lobed like fern leaves and the stem is barely hairy or glabrous. Depending on the weather and environment, annual mugwort bears inconspicuous white or yellow flowers between July and September. Seeds, which are about the size of grains of sand, emerge from these by October.
Effect and application
The significant constituents of annual mugwort from a medicinal point of view are artemisinin, various essential oils, flavonoids, coumarin, menthol, thymol and beta-sitosterol. The most important ingredient in this listing is artemisinin, first isolated in the 1970s by a Chinese scientist. This is contained in the plant in a particularly high concentration shortly before flowering and is obtained by extraction with n-hexane. To make a tea from the leaves and flowers of annual mugwort, one to two teaspoons of dried plant parts are poured over a cup of boiling water and then left to steep for ten minutes. In traditional Chinese medicine, the drink is also prepared with cold water and the leaves are additionally squeezed after the steeping time. For the preparation of a tincture, the leaves of the plant are doused with clear alcohol, such as vodka or grain. The percentage of alcohol should be at least 40 percent to prevent rotting. After three to four weeks, the tincture is filtered and then transferred to a dark bottle to protect it from sunlight. The tincture is taken either drop by drop in pure form or diluted with water. The dosage should be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist, especially in case of pregnancy. Common mugwort contains the substance coumarin, which is responsible for the special aroma of woodruff, for example, and is harmless in low doses. In higher doses, however, coumarin is slightly toxic and causes headaches and nausea. In general, however, the ingestion of common mugwort is considered harmless to health.
Health significance, treatment and prevention.
Annual mugwort has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years against parasites and malaria, and is considered particularly valuable for its antibacterial, blood purifying and antipyretic effects. It is also said to provide relief from health problems such as colds, digestive problems, menstrual cramps and menopausal symptoms. The artemisin contained in the annual mugwort is demonstrably one of the most effective substances for combating malaria and is also recommended by the World Health Organization in the event of an infection. It is usually administered in tablet form and the corresponding drugs are marketed under the names Coartem and Riamet.However, recent studies compare the efficacy of extracted artemisin and untreated annual mugwort and suggest that the natural product may be more effective and reduce the high cost of malaria control. Administration of tea, for example, is effective against the tropical disease within three to five days. Artemisinin is also relevant to cancer research because it has been shown to slow the growth of tumor cells. The active ingredient is currently being tested in a study with breast cancer patients at the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg. Artemisin is also used in leukemia, colorectal cancer, uterine cancer, prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer to support the respective therapy. However, the use of artemisinin is particularly successful in cases of black skin cancer of the eye, as a combination with other drugs is not necessary. Another area of application for artemisinin or annual mugwort is the worm disease schistosomiasis. This is transmitted through skin contact with contaminated water and is widespread in Japan, China, the Philippines, Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East and, since 2011, also in Corsica. Due to its blood purifying action, the administration of annual mugwort is also promising in this clinical picture but has not yet been conclusively studied. The seeds of the medicinal plant can also be used for medicinal purposes. Prepared as a tea, they support digestion and have an antispasmodic and analgesic effect on stomach and intestinal problems. They also have a preventive effect against heavy night sweats.
