Sweet Annie

Common names: Qinghao, Sweet wormwood

Botanical name: Artemisia annua

Parts used and where grown

This inconspicuous herb originated in Europe and Asia and has since spread to North America. It is now a common weed around the world. The above ground parts of the plant are used medicinally.

Sweet Annie has been used in connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual health concern for complete information):

Science Ratings

Health Concerns

Malaria (isolated artemisinin, an experimental drug)

Fever

Infectious diarrhoea

Intestinal parasites

Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
2Stars

Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
1Star

For a herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support and/or minimal health benefit.

Historical or traditional use (may or may not be supported by scientific studies)

Ancient Chinese medical texts dating from around 150 B.C. suggest the use of sweet Annie for people with haemorrhoids.¹ Other writings from 340 A.D. are the first known to mention sweet Annie as a treatment for people with fevers.² It has been used ever since for a variety of infections in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Active constituents

Artemisinin, called qinghaosu in China where it was first discovered, is thought to account for the antimalarial activity of the plant.³ ⁴ This compound is a sesquiterpene lactone and is believed to cause damage to the organisms that cause malaria inside the red blood cells they infect. Preliminary and double-blind trials, have shown that injections or oral use of artemisinin or similar compounds rapidly and effectively cure people with malaria.⁵ A human trial has also found that artemisinin reduced mortality due to malaria by 50% compared with treatment with a standard quinoline anti-malarial drug.⁶ Artemisinin-based drugs have not been studied for prevention of malaria. Test tube studies suggest artemisinin can kill other parasites and bacteria,⁷ possibly supporting the traditional notion of using it for parasitic infections of the gastrointestinal tract.

How much is usually taken?

Artemisinin-based drugs are not readily available in the United States or Europe and are still considered experimental. Sweet Annie cannot be substituted for artemisinin as a drug and cannot be used to treat people with malaria, a potentially lethal disease requiring immediate treatment. Traditionally, 3 grams of the powdered herb was taken each day.⁸

Are there any side effects or interactions?

No serious adverse effects have been seen in clinical trials with artemisinin.⁹ The use of the whole herb as well as artemisinin may cause upset stomach, loose stools, abdominal pain, and occasional fever.

At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with sweet Annie.

References
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1. Foster S, Yue CX. Herbal Emissaries: Bringing Chinese Herbs to the West. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 1992, 322.

2. Foster S, Yue CX. Herbal Emissaries: Bringing Chinese Herbs to the West. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 1992, 322.

3. Hien TT, White NJ. Qinghaosu. Lancet 1993;341:603–8 [review].

4. Tang W, Eisenbrand G. Chinese Drugs of Plant Origin. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1992, 160–74.

5. Hien TT, White NJ. Qinghaosu. Lancet 1993;341:603–8 [review].

6. Hien TT, White NJ. Qinghaosu. Lancet 1993;341:603–8 [review].

7. Bone K, Morgan M. Clinical Applications of Ayurvedic and Chinese Herbs: Monographs for the Western Herbal Practitioner. Warwick, Australia: Phytotherapy Press, 1992, 7–12.

8. Foster S, Yue CX. Herbal Emissaries: Bringing Chinese Herbs to the West. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 1992, 322.

9. Hien TT, White NJ. Qinghaosu. Lancet 1993;341:603–8 [review].

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The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or chemist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires March 2007.

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