Artemisia afra
Dublin Core
Title
Artemisia afra
Subject
Taxonomy
Phylum : Tracheophyta
Class : Magnoliopsida
Order : Asterales
Family : Asteraceae
Genus : Artemisia
Species : Artemisia afra
Phylum : Tracheophyta
Class : Magnoliopsida
Order : Asterales
Family : Asteraceae
Genus : Artemisia
Species : Artemisia afra
Synonyms
Absinthium ponticum (L.) Garsault, Absinthium tenuifolium Gaterau, Artemisia altaica Desf., Artemisia balsamita Willd., Artemisia grandiflora Fisch. ex Herder, Artemisia pallida Salisb., Artemisia pontica Burm.f. , Artemisia pseudopontica Schur, Artemisia tenuifolia Moench
Common name
Als, wild Als, wild wormwood, african wormwood
Description
Characteristics
A clump-forming perennial herb of the highland areas of eastern and southern Africa at an altitude between 1500 and 3000 m.
A clump-forming perennial herb of the highland areas of eastern and southern Africa at an altitude between 1500 and 3000 m.
Morphology
Leaves
6cm long, gray-green, alternately arranged and oval in shape.
Flower
Pale yellow tubular, with few outer female and inner bisexual inflorescence occurring in an elongated racemose panicle. The capitula is small, the receptacle is flat and naked (achenes cylindrical and pappus absent).
Chemical compound
α-thujone, β-thujone, cineole, camphor, germacrene, cadinene, α-terpineol, camphene, pinene and myrcene
Plant part used
Leaves, stem, root and essential oil
Traditional uses
- Decoctions of the leaves have been used to treat bronchial maladies as well as promote general respiratory health.
- Compound decoctions of the whole plant have been used to treat coughs, colds and fever.
- In cases of headache, the leaves of A. afra have been either dried or powdered and then smoked or snuffed, respectively.
- It is promoting gastrointestinal health, and relieving certain maladies associated with the gastrointestinal tract.
Medicinal uses
- The leaves, stem and root have all been used in cases of constipation, diarrhea and dysentery.
- A. afra has also been used to treat dyspepsia and stomach ache while promoting a healthy appetite and healthy digestion.
- A. afra has also been used as an anti-parasitic.
- Other common applications of A. afra include use as an enema, poultice, body wash or as an ingredient in lotions and teas.
List of country
Ethiopia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Angola and the Republic of South Africa.
Creator
Artemisia afra ( Jacq.,1804)
Source
- https://www.globinmed.com/medicinal_herbs/artemisia-afra-jacq-ex-willd/
- https://www.gbif.org/species/8078031
Publisher
Nur Athirah Roshaizi
Contributor
Nur Athirah Roshaizi
Language
English
Collection
Citation
Artemisia afra ( Jacq.,1804), “Artemisia afra,” BIDARA, accessed February 4, 2026, https://bidara.uthm.edu.my/items/show/436.