Artemisia For HealingAlso known as wormwood or mugworth, the Artemisia is an herb used for healing, which can be dated back to ancient Egypt in 1600 B.C., and in the time of ancient Greeks and Romans. Its oil, when extracted from leaves and roots is volatile and essential.The active ingredient in Artemisia for healing is the thujone, a substance that when it is at its pure chemical state, can become a colorless liquid or oil oozing with menthol aroma or camphor-like scent. This ingredient is a common and crucial ingredient in pharmaceuticals. It is also used in making liquors like the absinth in 18th century, and rice cakes in Japan. In making beer, the thujone is added too for distinct taste. In roast stuffing, the thujone is never forgotten. Native to temperate Asia, the Artemisia has a fern-like leaves and bright yellow flowers. The tallest that it could reach is 2 meters and its stem is single with branches emerging in an alternate system. The leaves too are alternating ranging from 2.5 cm to 5 in length. In ancient times, the sweet wormwood herb was used as herbal medicine to treat fever. Its leaves are dried and prepared for herbal tea, which is administered to the patients. In 1971, some scientists were able to demonstrate that the Artemisia herb has anti-malarial properties. A year after, the artemisinin, the active ingredient found in leaves, stems, inflorescences, and which is concentrated in the upper sections of the plant, was isolated and described with its chemical structure. Since then, it is used in tropical nations as part of their anti-malarial concoctions to prevent the spread of parasite resistance. Itself, the artemisinin is a sesquiterpene lactone having an endeperoxide bridge. It has been produced semi-synthetically as an anti-malarial drug. Artemisia for healing cancer is also known. It is said that the tree can have properties to selectively be toxic to certain breast cancer cells and prostate cancer cells. In the field of leukemia studies, there have also been promising results. According to studies, the artemisinin includes the cleavage of endoperoxide bridges done by iron-yielding free radicals which are known to destroy biological macromolecules, which in turn can cause oxidative stress in the cells of the parasite. Having the essential oil, the Artemisia herb promotes healing. It has flavanoids with great antioxidant power. It can relieve menstruation disorders and intestinal parasites, promotes gastric secretion and helps in the proper functioning of the stomach and intestines, eliminates flatulence, prevents hair loss, and relieves dental problems. Similar Posts _________________________________________________________________ Top of Artemisia For Healing Listed under Growing Herbs |