Sweet Annie
Artemisia annua
PLANT NAME
Sweet Annie
COMMON NAMES
Sweet Wormwood, Annual Mugwort, Qinghao
BOTANICAL NAME
Artemisia annua
IDENTIFICATION
A fast-growing annual plant with deeply dissected, fern-like, bright green leaves. It produces tiny, inconspicuous yellowish flower heads. The entire plant has a very strong, sweet, and aromatic scent.
IDENTIFICATION IMAGE
AI ART TO BE GENERATED
PARTS TRADITIONALLY USED
Aerial parts (leaves and stems).
CULINARY USES
Primarily used medicinally or for its fragrance in crafts (like wreaths), though it is sometimes used as a bitter flavoring in specific traditional beverages.
TRADITIONAL USES
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is known as Qinghao and has been used for over 2,000 years to clear heat and treat fevers, particularly malaria. It contains the compound artemisinin, which is the basis for modern antimalarial drugs.
GROWING / HARVESTING
Native to temperate Asia but naturalized in many parts of the world. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. The plant is harvested just before or right as it begins to flower for maximum aromatic content.
SAFETY / CAUTION
Always consult your doctor. Use with caution. It contains strong compounds that can interact with medications. Avoid use during pregnancy. Long-term continuous use is generally not recommended.