- Region
- Africa
- Origin
- Eastern and southern Africa
- Traditions
- Traditional healers of Southern Africa
Africa · Herb · № 810
Artemisia afra
Herb · Africa
African wormwood
Artemisia afra
A bitter, aromatic herb widely used in southern Africa for coughs, colds, fever and flu.
Safety notes
Contains thujone. Do not use for long periods or in high doses, and not in pregnancy or with epilepsy.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- African healing traditions: Contains thujone; do not use long term or during pregnancy.
Preparation
As a tea, as a steam bath to inhale, or as a poultice.
Use in traditions
Umhlonyane in Zulu, lengana in Sotho and Tswana: one of the best-known remedies of traditional healers in southern Africa.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
African healing traditions
Attributed effects
One of the best-known remedies of healers: for coughs, colds, flu, fever, stomach pain and worms; the leaves are also put in the nose for congestion.
Preparation and amount
As tea, a steam bath to inhale or a poultice. No dosage is given here.
Caution: Contains thujone; do not use long term or during pregnancy.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)Compress, poultice and pasteSteam and bath