One of the oldest and best known medicinal plants in Africa-

Artemisia afra

Artemisia afra, or commonly known as African Wormwood is an immensely powerful healing plant which has many uses.  It can be used medicinally on humans as well as on household pets. It is also used successfully as an insecticide.

Artemisia is a common species in South Africa with a wide distribution. There is a total of over 300 species of Artemisia, the majority are found in the Northern hemisphere. Artemisia afra is the only indigenous African species in this genus.

Artemisia afra is one of the oldest and best known of medicinal plants and is still widely used in South Africa today by people of all cultures. I use this plant to make my own tinctures with which I treat colds, flu and tonsillitis in the early stages of infection. I have also successfully used a strong tincture on more than one occasion to treat biliary in dogs.  

Artemisia was used by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans both medicinally and for religious rites and was thought to be a love charm centuries ago. The Indian tribes of North America prepared parts of this plant to treat sore throats and bronchitis. During the devastating 1918  Spanish Influenza epidemic, the indigenous African people used Artemisia afra as a cure.

The properties of this plant aids with cleansing and disinfecting.  It is anti viral ,antibacterial, an analgesic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antimalarial, anti-nematodal, cardiovascular(hypotensive ie. low blood pressure), cytotoxic, narcotic, sedative and antihistamine properties. As you can see there are many uses of Artemisia afra.

You can use this essential oil as an inhalant by putting a few drops in a basin of hot water and covering your head with a towel. Good for treating coughs, colds, whooping cough, bronchitis, blocked nose, sinusitis, headaches, due to sinusitis. It also assists in relieving asthma.

Artemisia afra essential oil should only to be used externally. It can be mixed with a base oil, for example Almond or Avocado oil. Use a small drop of this blended mixture into the ear to relieve earache.  The anti-bacterial , anti-oxidant and anti-histamine properties are great to use for wounds, sores, rashes, bites and stings. Please keep in mind Artemisia afra pure essential oil, is very strong and can burn the skin if used directly and in high concentration for too long.  It can be used for pain relief of neuralgia, sprains, rheumatism and arthritis. The oil acts as a local anesthetic.  A few drops in a hot bath can help to relieve menstrual pain. Use it as a spray with ethanol to spray on sweaty feet to get rid of fungal and bacterial infections.

It is an excellent insect repellent and the oil can be added to a natural insecticidal spray to keep away moths, ants and mites.

Dried or fresh leaves can be used as a tea to internally treat chest conditions. As a tea, it is helpful  for heartburn, flatulence, gout, sore throat, indigestion and stomach cramps. A cool strong tea can be used as a mouth wash for gumboils and mouth ulcers.

All Artemisia’s are excellent anti parasitics. Use as a tincture or a strong tea to get rid of intestinal worms hence the common name for Artemisia is worm wood. Fresh sprigs can be used in chicken runs, kennels and stables on the floors as insect repellent for flies and fleas.

Click here for more information on the African Wormwood Essential Oil