Artemisia afra (African wormwood)

African wormwood ( Artemisia afra ) is closely related to our native wormwood and mugwort ( Artemisia ). It is widespread in tropical and southern Africa. It grows to about 50 to 60 cm tall, but usually remains smaller and tends to grow creeping rather than upright. The stems are thick and woody at the base, becoming thinner and softer towards the top. Numerous smaller side branches emerge from the main stems. The soft leaves are very finely divided, almost fern-like. The upper surface of the leaves is dark green, while the underside and stems are covered with small, soft, white hairs, giving the shrub its characteristic gray color. It releases a very pleasant fragrance when touched or cut.

It is one of the most popular medicinal plants in South Africa. Artemisia afra is easy to cultivate and an indispensable part of an African herb garden.

Artemisia afra is one of the oldest and best-known medicinal plants in Africa and is still used in South Africa today. Its uses cover a wide range of ailments, including coughs, colds, fever, loss of appetite, headaches, and more. Artemisia is used in many different ways. The roots, stems, and leaves are used in various forms, such as enemas, poultices, infusions, body washes, lotions, smoked, snuffed, or drunk as a tea. A. afra has a very bitter taste and is usually sweetened with sugar or honey when consumed.

The most common use is as a tea, which should be sweetened with honey to mask the aforementioned bitter taste. Another common application is to simply place the fresh leaves in the nostrils to relieve a blocked or bleeding nose.

You will receive a strong young plant, approximately 10cm tall, in a 7cm pot.