The infusion of Artemisia annua is a natural remedy dating back to the ancient knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine .
In ancient China, herbal tea was taken to treat ailments such as: fever, malaria, intestinal parasites and digestive problems .
In the West, however, this plant began to become famous only around the 70s, when researchers discovered for the first time that artemisinin , the active ingredient contained within the leaves and flowers of Artemisia annua, is extremely effective in cure of Malaria (Wed more info, read here ).
More recently, thanks to new studies and research, it was discovered that the same active ingredient, artemisinin, also has an important antitumor action , which would make this plant also useful in the fight against Cancer (for more info, read here ).
Of course, it is still too early to say for sure whether Artemisia can or cannot be used as a new cancer treatment drug. Nothing is official at the moment.
There will be a need for new and in-depth studies and it will probably take years before certain results are leaked.
For the moment, however, we know for sure that the Artemisia annua plant, also taken as a herbal tea , acts as an antioxidant and as a general anti-inflammatory , so its use could also be useful in this perspective.
Properties of the Artemisia annua herbal tea
Before getting into the heart of the matter, it is important that you know that there are different varieties of Artemisia , each with different properties and uses. In addition to Artemisia annua for medicinal purposes, Artemisia vulgaris (wild wormwood) and Artemisia absinthium (true wormwood) are also often used , the latter also used for the production of absinthe, the well-known distillate with a very high alcohol content.
So, whenever you want to go to the herbalist to request the Artemisia herbal tea, always be careful in specifying that you are referring to the “Artemisia annua” variety.
These are the main benefits of using Artemisia Annua as an herbal tea :
- Reduce fever : Artemisia annua is a natural antipyretic, which means that it is able to reduce body temperature in case of febrile states;
- Anti-parasitic : Artemisia annua, as well as Artemisia vulgaris and Artemisia abisinthium, is particularly effective in eradicating the intestine from parasites and intestinal worms of various types, such as roundworms, pinworms and tapeworms (solitary worm ).
- Digestive : Artemisia annua contains bitter substances that facilitate digestion, increasing the secretion of gastric juices. It also has antispasmodic properties, that is, it calms the pain due to strong involuntary and sudden contractions of the stomach and intestine walls. For this reason, the herbal tea (better if drunk very hot) is also effective to soothe stomach pain and intestinal pain.
- Antioxidant : Artemisia annua contains multiple substances with antioxidant properties, capable of counteracting the harmful action of free radicals.
- Anti-inflammatory : Artemisia annua has an effective anti-inflammatory action, very useful for reducing pain due to diseases or drugs (for example courses of chemotherapy).
- Anti-malarial : it is the most effective remedy known today to kill and eradicate the parasite that causes Malaria.
- Regularizes the menstrual cycle and relieves pain : the mugwort tea is historically used to relieve the pains of the menstrual cycle and to regulate menstruation in case of amenorrhea (absence of menstruation).
How to prepare Artemisia herbal tea
Preparing Artemisia annua herbal tea is very simple and is not very different from preparing a simple tea or infusion.
- Dosage: in a cup with about 250 ml of hot (almost boiling) water add a teaspoon of dried leaves of Artemsia annua;
- Wait 10 minutes, filter and the herbal tea is ready to drink;
For therapeutic use it is recommended to drink 2 to 4 cups a day. One cup a day is enough as a preventive remedy.
Contraindications
Artemisia annua herbal tea is contraindicated in pregnancy and for women who are breastfeeding .
Artemisia annua: where to buy herbal tea
Artemisia annua herbal tea is a fairly difficult product to find in herbalist’s shops, or in pharmacies.
You can try looking for it at some organic food stores, or you can order it directly on the internet. In Italy, the Erbedimauro farm cultivates it , which sells it to the public as a dried product (dried Artemisia annua leaves), in the size of 100 g and 500 g.
You can order this product directly on the website: www.erbedimauro.it
Artemisia Annua, flowers and dried leaves
- Italian cultivation;
- Package of: 50g, 500g, 1kg;
- Shipping throughout Europe.
Please note: The company also sells other herbal teas and products based on Aloe Vera and Aloe Arborescens (such as Father Zago’s smoothie). It sells and ships throughout Italy and also abroad.
