“WHO recognizes that traditional, complementary and alternative medicine has many benefits and Africa has a long history of traditional medicine and practitioners that play an important role in providing care to populations. Medicinal plants such as Artemisia annua are being considered as possible treatments for COVID-19 and should be tested for efficacy and adverse side effects. “
General info from Memorial Sloan Kettering (for whatever it’s worth):
https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/artemisia-annua
Purported Uses:
To treat malaria
A compound from artemisia is used in combination with other drugs to treat malaria. Patients need to be treated by a healthcare provider for this condition, and should not self-treat with artemisia for malaria.
To reduce inflammation
Preliminary studies suggest that artemisia may be helpful for hip or knee osteoarthritis, but more study is needed.
To treat cancer
Only a few safety studies in advanced cancer patients have been conducted, and have not shown a treatment response. In addition, patients need to be monitored for potential side effects. More studies are needed to determine the conditions under which compounds derived from artemisia may be safe and effective.
Side Affects:
Case reports
Hepatitis: One case was attributed to an herbal supplement containing artemisinin. Another case was linked to drinking artemisia tea to protect against malaria.
Anemia: Two cases of loss of healthy red blood cells after artemisinin-based treatment for malaria.
Hearing loss, ringing in the ears, and dizziness: Among several advanced breast cancer patients in a safety trial, and possibly related to oral artesunate, an active artemisia compound. The study drug was otherwise largely well tolerated among patients.
Skin rash: With topical use of artemisia.
As a reminder to all those who think we blindly follow (insert conspiracy theory du jour):
Q 4734 / 2683 / 2642 / 2604 / 2463 / 2393 / 2361 / 2352 / 1936 / 1822 - “RESEARCH for yourself.”
(Argument from the trolls: “Well, since you’re Research[ing] for yourselves”, you are blindly following Q. Hmmm...)
Western medicine also identifies a number of contraindications for the Artemisia Annua plant and artemisinin extract. This supplement should be avoided by pregnant women, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy. Some diabetic patients in trials have developed hypoglycaemia. There may be a risk of arrhythmias in patients taking drugs to prolong QT interval.
It is not to be taken with grapefruit juice as it may increase bioavailability of the artemether.
Other Artemisia Annua side effects that have been reported in clinical trials are abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. It has caused Pruritus, (itching) and urticaria (hives), and pain and abscess have developed at the injection site. Heart changes have included bradycardia and prolonged QT interval. The Artemisia Annua plant’s pollen has been reported to cause allergic reactions and headaches.
This herb may also interact with calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem) and verapimil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan).
Because of its antifungal properties this supplement shouldn’t be taken with antifungal medication such as griseofulvin (Gris-PEG), nystatin (Mycostatin), ketoconazole (Nizoral), fluconazole (Diflucan) and itraconazole (Sporanox).
Artemisia Annua side effects are well documented. Its effectiveness as a treatment for treating malaria is becoming more important as climate change turns more areas into malaria zones. Its potential for cytotoxicity against aggressive cancers of the breast, lung and thyroid and leukaemia are also being further studied.
To learn more about the benefits and side effects of Artemisinin supplements, speak to your doctor.