Artemisia afra (Artemisia afra): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Questions fréquentes

How does Artemisia afra work for respiratory infections?

Artemisia afra contains volatile oils including 1,8-cineole, camphor, and borneol, which demonstrate antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. 1,8-cineole acts as an expectorant and bronchodilator, helping to clear mucus from airways. The plant also contains alpha-thujone and artemisia ketone, though these compounds require caution due to potential neurotoxicity. Evidence for the specific mechanism is limited (Evidence Level C), derived primarily from traditional use and in vitro studies rather than clinical trials.

Does Artemisia afra interact with any medications?

Artemisia afra may interact with medications metabolized by the liver due to its thujone content, which can affect cytochrome P450 enzymes. Caution is advised when taking anticoagulants or antiplatelet medications, as the herb may increase bleeding risk. Those on diabetes medications should monitor blood glucose levels closely. Due to limited clinical interaction data (Evidence Level C), patients taking prescription medications should consult a qualified healthcare provider before using Artemisia afra preparations.

What is the recommended dosage of Artemisia afra for adults?

The typical adult dosage is 3-6 grams of dried herb daily, or 2-4ml of tincture (1:5 in 45% alcohol) taken in divided doses. The dried herb can be prepared as an infusion by steeping in boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Evidence for optimal dosing is limited (Evidence Level C), based primarily on traditional use patterns across Southern African communities. Always follow product-specific recommendations and do not exceed recommended durations of use.

Is Artemisia afra safe during pregnancy?

Artemisia afra is unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The herb contains thujone and other constituents that stimulate uterine contractions, potentially causing miscarriage or premature labor. Traditional use has explicitly excluded pregnant women for this reason. Women who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding should avoid all Artemisia afra preparations. This contraindication is well-documented in ethnobotanical literature, though formal clinical safety data remains limited (Evidence Level C).

What are the side effects of Artemisia afra?

Common side effects include gastrointestinal upset, nausea, and vomiting, particularly at higher doses. The thujone content can cause neurological effects including dizziness, headaches, and in susceptible individuals, seizures. For this reason, Artemisia afra is contraindicated in people with epilepsy or seizure disorders. Prolonged or excessive use should be avoided. Evidence regarding adverse effects is based on traditional knowledge and pharmacological understanding of constituents (Evidence Level C), with limited clinical trial data available.

Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed

Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.

Compilé à partir de 30 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b

Résumé

Artemisia afra, also known as African wormwood, is a highly aromatic shrub widely used in southern Africa for treating respiratory disorders, fever, and malaria [PMID:31376515, PMID:38944359].

Contexte

Artemisia afra (Asteraceae family) is an indigenous medicinal plant native to South Africa and neighboring countries such as Eswatini and Lesotho [PMID:31376515, PMID:38674538].

Usages traditionnels

Traditionally used in southern Africa to treat coughs, colds, influenza, malaria, fever, and respiratory ailments [PMID:31376515, PMID:38944359, PMID:36464634]. It is also documented for use in the management of headaches [PMID:34685845].

Composés actifs

The plant contains monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, polyphenols [PMID:37233654], and flavonoids such as luteolin [PMID:23920249], acacetin, chrysoeriol, and rutin [PMID:33039496]. Other isolated compounds include 3β-taraxerol, 3β-taraxerol acetate, dodecyl-p-coumarate, ferulic acid, scopoletin, sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, 3,5-di-O-feruloylquinic acid, and isofraxidin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside [PMID:37836110]. It contains only trace or negligible amounts of artemisinin [PMID:38761524, PMID:30668322].

Mécanisme d'action

In vitro studies suggest it may impede SARS-CoV-2 adsorption to host cells and prevent viral multiplication post-entry, while also exerting immunomodulatory effects by controlling cytokine release [PMID:35894129]. It has shown the ability to kill non-replicating hypoxic Mycobacterium tuberculosis via a methoxylated flavone [PMID:38944359]. Antiplasmodial effects appear to be artemisinin-independent and involve the parasite apicoplast and mitochondrion [PMID:34857648].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve DTuberculosis

Dichloromethane extracts exhibit significant bactericidal activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, including under hypoxic conditions and various carbon sources [PMID:36839499, PMID:32730878].

Preuve DMalaria

In vitro activity against Plasmodium falciparum is reported, but a large-scale clinical trial claiming efficacy was retracted due to ethical and methodological concerns [PMID:38761524, PMID:30668322].

Preuve DSARS-CoV-2

Extracts inhibited SARS-CoV-2 and feline coronavirus infection in vitro at non-cytotoxic concentrations [PMID:34496903].

Preuve DRespiratory Function

Steam inhalation and nebulized extracts produced dose-dependent improvements in lung function in isolated perfused lungs [PMID:23920249].

Preuve DGastrointestinal Spasms

Leaf ethanol extracts significantly reduced spontaneous rhythmic and agonist-induced contractions in isolated mouse duodenum and guinea pig ileum [PMID:18326347].

Preuve B

Posologie et administration

Traditionally used as an infusion, decoction, or steam inhalation [PMID:36464634, PMID:23920249]. No PubMed data available. Consult a healthcare provider.

Synthèse des preuves

The majority of evidence is based on in vitro studies, animal models, or retracted clinical trials, indicating a low overall strength of clinical evidence for the treatment of malaria and schistosomiasis, while showing promising bactericidal activity against M. tuberculosis in laboratory settings.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 31376515 (2019) — Artemisia afra, a controversial herbal remedy or a treasure trove of new drugs? · Journal of ethnopharmacology
2.PMID: 38944359 (2024) — An O-methylflavone from Artemisia afra kills non-replicating hypoxic Mycobacterium tuberculosis. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
3.PMID: 37233654 (2023) — Secondary Metabolites Isolated from Artemisia afra and Artemisia annua and Their Anti-Malarial, Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulating Properties-Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics: A Review. · Metabolites
4.PMID: 38761524 (2024) — In vivo antimalarial efficacy of Artemisia afra powder suspensions. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
5.PMID: 32730878 (2020) — Artemisia annua and Artemisia afra extracts exhibit strong bactericidal activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Artemisia afra

Sources et citations

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