Common Name: |
Qing Hao |
Other Names: |
Chinese Wormwood |
Botanical Name: |
Artemisia annua |
Genus: |
Artemisia |
Family: |
Asteraceae |
Native Location: |
China, South America, Asia |
Cultivation: |
Well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil in sun. Artemisia absinthium, A. a. 'Lambrook Silver', and A. lucoviciana tolerate drought. A. capillaris thrives in moist soil and tolerates light shade. Hardiness varies with species; cover marginally hardy plants with loose straw or overwinter plants under cover. In spring, cut back shrubby species near ground level, or remove dead stems and trim to shape. Rust may attack foliage. |
Position: |
Most species prefer full sun, good drainage, and almost neutral soil, (although mugwort tolerates partial shade). As it is strongly insecticidal, use it as a companion plant in the edge of gardens. |
Propagation: |
By seed sown in spring (annuals, perennials, and A. d. subsp. dracunculoides); by semi-ripe cuttings with a heel in summer (shrubby species); by division in autumn or spring (perennials). Propagate all perennial artemisias by semi-hardwood cuttings taken from midsummer to autumn, or raise from seed. Propagate rhizomatous species by root division is autumn. Directly sow the annual species A. annua in to the garden in spring, or raise as seedlings and transplant at 6 weeks. |
Maintenance: |
Lightly prune and shape perennial bushy artemisias in spring. Prune southernwood heavily in spring. Artemisias are a drought-tolerant group once they are established, and perennial forms have good frost tolerance. |
Pests and Diseases: |
Wormwoods are rarely troubled by pest and diseases. |
Harvest: |
By seed sown in spring (annuals, perennials, and A. d. subsp. dracunculoides); by semi-ripe cuttings with a heel in summer (shrubby species); by division in autumn or spring (perennials). Harvest the leaves as required to use fresh or dried. |
Height: |
1m (3ft) |
:Width |
1.5m (5ft) |
Hardiness: |
Z5-9 (borderline) |
Parts Used: |
Leaves, Aerial Parts |
Properties: |
This herb contains artemesinin which has been determined by Chinese researchers to be a very potent anti-malarial agent. |
Medicinal Uses: |
According to traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese wormwood (qing hao) is a cold remedy and is used for treating fevers, rashes, and nosebleeds. It is the subject of intense scientific research, and is currently being used in combination with other pharmaceuticals as an anti-malarial in the form of ACT. |
Warning: |
Artemisias, and extracts from them, such as cineole and santonin, are subject to legal restrictions in some countries. |
Bibliography: |
Encylopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright ©: 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited pp 130-132 The Complete Illustrated Book of Herbs by Reader's Digest Copyright©2009 The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. Pp. 17,187 |