Artemisia (Armoise) Oil

Artemisia (Armoise) Oil
Nepali Name: Tite Pati
Artemisia vulgaris L.
Traditional Uses:

The botanical classification of this genus, of some 200 species, was derived from Artemisia, the sister and wife of the Greek/Persian King Mausolus, and ruled after his death in 353 BCE. In the ancient Greek text of Dioscorides, Artemisia is mentioned as a remedy for expelling intestinal worms, and thus its name "wormwood". Artemisia has a long history of use in herbal medicine especially in matters connected to the digestive system, menstrual complaints and the treatment of worms. In Asian traditional medicine, Artemisia is used as a method of correcting breech presentation. The leaves have an antibacterial action and are also said to be appetizer, diuretic, haemostatic and stomachic. Not to mention, the leaves, placed inside the shoes, are said to be soothing for sore feet. In the Himalayas of Nepal, leaf of Artemisia is rolled up into the nostril to stop nosebleeds. Artemisia essential oil, works as insect repellant. Diluted oil is used to kill insect larvae.

Artemisia was used by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans both medicinally and in religious rites and was thought to be a love charm centuries ago. The Indian tribes of North America prepared parts of this plant to treat sore throats and bronchitis.

Artemisia afra is one of the oldest and best known medicinal plants, and is still widely used today in South Africa by people of all cultures. The list of uses covers a wide range of ailments from coughs, colds, fever, loss of appetite, colic, headache, earache, intestinal worms to malaria. Artemisia afra (roots, stems and leaves) is used in many different ways and taken as enemas, poultices, infusions, body washes, lotions, smoked, snuffed or drunk as a tea. A not so common use is to place leaves in socks for sweaty feet (Watt & Breyer-Brandwijk 1962). Artemisia afra has a very bitter taste and is usually sweetened with sugar or honey when drunk.