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AFRICAN WORMWOODINDIGENOUSArtemisia afra

Umhlonyane (Xhosa, Zulu); als, alsem, wilde als (Afrikaans)

ORIGIN OF PLANT / HABITAT

A. afra is a very common species in South Africa & its natural distribution extends

northwards into tropical east Africa, as far north as Ethiopia.

GROWTH

This highly aromatic plant is an erect multi-stemmed perennial shrub of up to 2m inheight. In cold regions the branches die back in winter but rapidly regenerate from

the base.

LEAF SHAPE

The feathery leaves are finely divided & usually have a grayish-green colour.

FLOWERS

Flowers are borne along the branch ends. They are pale yellowish & inconspicuous.

AROMA

Characteristic aromatic leaves.

PARTS USED

The leaves are mainly used, but sometimes also the roots.

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS

Volatile oil (cineole, a-thujone, B-thujone, camphor & borneol), terpenoids (of the

eudesmadien- and germacratien types), as well as coumarins and acetylenes

ACTIONS

Decongestant & antibacterial effects of volatile oils are well known. In addition,

narcotic, analgesic & antihistamine activity have been demonstrated in preliminary

tests.

CAUTIONS

Toxic & hallucinogenic effects have been associated thujone, so that overdoses or

continued use over long periods are potentially harmful.WARNINGToxic & hallucinogenic effects have been associated with thujone, so that overdoses

or continued use over long periods are potentially harmful.

MEDICINALInternally

Coughs, colds, influenza, fever, colic, headache, intestinal worms, womens

complaints, toothache & earache

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Externally

Menstrual cramp, blocked nose, earache, toothacheCOSMETIC Some African tribes make a wash of the plant to treat skin complaints, & apply

warmed leaves to draw pimples & boils. They also believe if a brew is drunk, it will

cleanse the skin.

HOME Used as a moth repellent. A bath of the herb will chase fleas off a dog. The leaves & roots produce a yellow natural plant dye for textiles. A liquid can be made to spray aphids & mites. Grow for a fast, temporary hedge. Grow near hen houses for protection against l ice, near cabbage to deter

cabbage butterfly & near fruit trees to keep away fruit tree moth.

ESSENTIAL OIL The plant is rich in essential oils but is remarkably varied, with distinct regional &

even local differences in the main compounds of the oil.

Some plants produce almost pure eucalyptol, borneol, camphor or thujone, whileothers may have complex mixtures of monoterpenoids & sesquiterpenoids such as

davanone and chrysanthenyl acetate. As a result, suitable clones are being

developed for commercial cultivation.HISTORICAL One of the widely used traditional medicines in South Africa. Also one of the oldest

& best known of all the indigenous medicines in South Africa, and has such diverse

& multiple uses that it should be considered a significant tonic in its own right.

INFO REF:

Van Wyk, B.; Van Oudtshoorn, B. & Gericke, N. 2000.Medicinal Plants of SouthAfrica.

Van Wyk, B. & Gericke, N. 2000. Peoples Plants: A guide to useful plants inSouthern Africa.

Brown, Deni. 2002. The Royal Horticultural Society New Encyclopedia of Herbs &Their Uses.

Roberts, M. 2000.A Z OF HERBS.SPECIMEN COLLECTED Eppie White garden

DATE 04/2003