African Wormwood - Artemisia afra
African Wormwood - Artemisia afra

Common names: African wormwood, wild wormwood (English); mhlonyane (Xhosa); mhlonyane (Zulu); lengana (Tswana); zengana, lengana (Sotho); wildeals, alsem (Afrikaans). 
Botanical name: Artemisia afra

African wormwood, Artemisia afra, is a popular medicinal plant in South Africa also known as wild wormwood. It has fern-like silver-grey foliage and yellow flowers. Traditionally used to treat coughs, fevers, and more. Easy to grow in full sun. Prune in winter for lush spring growth. Can propagate from cuttings, division, or seed. Adds nice texture and color to the garden. Tough and adaptable once established. Sandy soil and full sun.

Uses & Benefits: aromatic, flavouring, insect repellent, medicine, pot plant, small garden, tea, wildlife

All Plant Profiles

Nature & Cultivation

Family: Asteraceae
Type: shrub
Vegetation type:  
Flower colour: cream, yellow
Flowering season: Autumn
Plant-animal interactions: aphids, ladybirds
Red list status: Least Concern

Light-level: afternoon sun, full sun, morning sun
Soil type: loamy, sandy, well-drained
Soil pH: 
Propagation: cuttings, seed

Use as Medicine

Safety: caution during pregnancy, caution in long-term use

Herbal traditions: Cape Dutch, Cape Herbal Medicine, Khoi & San
Plant parts used: leaves, roots

First-aid use: acne, boils, colds & 'flu, colic, constipation, cough, cuts, earache, fever, flatulence, grazes, haemorrhoids, headache, indigestion, influenza, intestinal worms, pain, poor appetite, rhinitis, sinusitis, sore throat, wounds 
Medical use:  
Veterinary use:  

Plant qualities: 
Plant actions: anthelmintic / vermifuge, anti-depressive / thymoleptic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticonvulsant / anti-epileptic, antifungal, antioxidant, antiplasmoidial, antiviral, bitter, bronchodilator, cardioprotective, decongestant, hypoglycaemic / anti-diabetic, spasmolytic / anti-spasmodic, vulnerary
Phytochemical constituents: acacetin, apigenin, betulinic acid, borneol, caffeoylquinic acid, camphor, chrysoeriol, cineole, coumarins, genkwanin, luteolin, phenols, polysaccharides, rutin, scopoletin, tamarixetin, thujone

Plant preparations: dried, enema, essential oil, fresh, infusion - aqueous, lotion, poultice, powder, smoke, snuff, steam, tincture, wash

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