Related Terms

• Artemether, Artemisia annua, Artemisia annua essential oil, Artemisia apiacea, artemisia ketone, Artemisia lancea, arteannuin-B, arteether, artemether, artemetin, artemisinic acid, artemisinin, artemotil, artenimol, artesunate, artimesinin, beta-caryophyllene, beta-selinene, camphor, Chinese wormwood, deoxyartemisinin, dihydroartemisinin, dihydroqinghaosu, endoperoxide sesquiterpene lactone artemisinin, friedelin, germacrene D, oriental wormwood, qing hao (Chinese), qing hao su (Chinese), qinghaosu (Chinese), quinghao (Chinese), sodium artesunate, stigmasterol, sweet wormwood, thanh hao (Vietnamese), trans-pinocarveol, yin-chen.

• Note: This monograph does not include information on wormwood (absinthe, Artemisia absinthium) or mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris).

Background

• Sweet annie (Artemisia annua) is also known as Chinese wormwood or sweet wormwood. Although it is in the same genus as both wormwood (absinthe, Artemisia absinthium) and mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), each of these herbs has different uses and should not be confused.

• For more than 1,500 years, sweet annie tea was used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat fevers, although the herb fell out of favor for a few centuries. In 1970, a TCM handbook from the 5th Century was discovered and stimulated interest in sweet annie. Although originally used to treat fevers, sweet annie was not used specifically for malaria.

• Sweet annie's main active constituent is artemisinin, which has shown rapid antimalarial activity in humans, especially when used as an adjuvant with standard antimalarial drugs. Considered a weed by some, the plant can be grown in many climates and a simple and effective preparation of Artemisia annua could be a much-needed inexpensive and convenient weapon against malaria. In addition to its promise in treating malaria, preliminary evidence indicates that sweet annie may have potential as an anticancer agent and an antiviral.

Scientific Evidence

Tradition/Theory

The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious and should be evaluated by a qualified health care professional.

• Antibacterial, antioxidant, antiparasitic, antiviral, fever, immunosuppression, leukemia, melanoma, neonatal jaundice

Dosing

The below doses are based on scientific research, publications, traditional use, or expert opinion. Many herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested, and safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients, even within the same brand. The below doses may not apply to all products. You should read product labels, and discuss doses with a qualified healthcare provider before starting therapy.

Adults (over 18 years old)

• There is no proven safe or effective dose for sweet annie in adults.

Children (under 18 years old)

• There is no proven safe or effective dose for sweet annie in children.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Allergies

• Avoid in individuals with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to sweet annie or members of the Asteraceae/Compositae family such as dandelion, goldenrod, ragweed, sunflower, and daisy.

Side Effects and Warnings

• Certain constituents in sweet annie (artemisinin and artesunate) have been well-tolerated when taken by mouth with no reported adverse effects. However, there is a lack of available information on the safety of sweet annie and caution is advised.

• Use cautiously in patients with compromised heart or brain function, as a related species has shown potential toxicity.

• Use cautiously in patients who are pregnant or recovering from surgery or other wounds.

• Use cautiously in patients with compromised immune function, as sweet annie may have immunosuppressive activity.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

• Sweet annie is not recommended in pregnant or breastfeeding women due to a lack of available scientific evidence. Sweet annie may inhibit angiogenesis, which is the development of new blood vessels.

Interactions

Most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested for interactions with other herbs, supplements, drugs, or foods. The interactions listed below are based on reports in scientific publications, laboratory experiments, or traditional use. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy.

Interactions with Drugs

• Sweet annie may inhibit angiogenesis, which is the development of new blood vessels. Caution is advised in patients taking agents that affect angiogenesis.

• Although not well studied in humans, sweet annie may also inhibit bacterial and fungal growth. Thus, patients taking antibiotics and antifungals should be aware that additive effects might occur.

• Artesunate, a constituent found in sweet annie, may be incompatible with quinolines, which are used as food preservatives and in making antiseptics. These should not be confused with quinolones, which are a family of broad-spectrum antibiotics.

• Sweet annie has been studied for its antimalarial and anticancer effects and use with other antimalarial or anticancer agents may have additive effects.

• Sweet annie may have antioxidant and immunosuppressive activity. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, to check for possible interactions.

Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements

• Sweet annie may inhibit angiogenesis, which is the development of new blood vessels. Caution is advised in patients taking herbs or supplements that affect angiogenesis.

• Although not well studied in humans, sweet annie may also inhibit bacterial and fungal growth. Thus, patients taking antibiotics and antifungals should be aware that additive effects might occur.

• Sweet annie has been studied for its antimalarial and anticancer effects and use with other antimalarial or anticancer herbs or supplements may have additive effects.

• Sweet annie may have antioxidant and immunosuppressive activity. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, to check for possible interactions with herbs or supplements with these effects.

Author Information

• This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

References

Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

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