Common Name: |
Wilde Als |
Botanical Name: |
Artemisia afra |
Genus: |
Artemisia |
Family: |
Asteraceae |
Native Location: |
Africa, Western Cape to Ethiopia. |
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 the 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 in autumn. Directly sow the annual species. A. annua into the garden in spring, or raise as seedlings and transplant at 6 weeks. |
Maintenance: |
Lightly prune and shape perennial bush artemisias in spring. Prune southernwood heavily in spring. Artemisia's are a drought-tolerant group once they are established, and perennial forms have good frost tolerance. |
Pests and Diseases: |
Wormwoods are rarely troubled by pests and diseases. |
Harvest: |
Whole plants are cut when flowering; leaves are picked before flowering. All parts are dried for decoctions, infusions, powders, tablets, and tinctures, or oil extraction. Artemisia vulgaris is pressed into moxibustion sticks. Stems (A. lactiflora. A. ludoviciana) are cut for decorative use as flowers open. Young shoots are cut in spring, and used fresh or dried in decoctions. Harvest the leaves as required to use fresh or dried. |
Height: |
0.5-2.0m (1.5-6.5ft) |
Width: |
1m (3ft) |
Hardiness: |
Z6-10 |
Parts Used: |
Leaves, Stems, Roots |
Properties: |
A strongly aromatic, bitter herb that improves digestion and liver functions, encourages menstrual flow and stimulates the uterus, lowers fever, relaxes spasms, and destroys intestinal worms. It is reputed to stimulate hair growth. |
Medicinal Uses: |
Wilde als is used as a traditional medicine by many African cultures, and like wormwood and mugwort, it is sometimes taken as a digestive tonic. Other traditional applications include respiratory problems, such as colds, flu, sore throats and nasal congestion, for which it is sometimes applied topically. |
Economic Uses: |
Leaves are used in sachets and powders to repel moths and fleas. |
Warning: |
Do not use if you are breastfeeding or pregnant. |
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. Pg.17 |