Sweet Annie

Uses

Botanical names:
Artemisia annua

Parts Used & Where Grown

This inconspicuous herb originated in Europe and Asia and has since spread to North America. It is now a common weed around the world. The above ground parts of the plant are used medicinally.

What Are Star Ratings?

This supplement has been used in connection with the following health conditions:

Used for Why
1 Star
Diarrhea
Refer to label instructions
Sweet annie has been used traditionally to treat infectious diarrhea and malaria.

Sweet annie has been used traditionally to treat infectious diarrhea and malaria. However, more modern studies have used the isolated constituent artemisinin and it is unclear how effective the herb is in managing diarrhea.

1 Star
Parasites
Refer to label instructions
Sweet Annie has been traditionally used for treatment of parasites. Numerous studies have suggested the herb can be helpful for some parasitic infections.

Several other herbs are traditionally used for treatment of parasites, including male fern (Dryopteris filix mas) root, tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) leaf, wormwood, sweet Annie, black walnut (Juglans nigra) fruit, and cloves (Syzygium aromaticum). Numerous case reports and preliminary studies from the late 1800s and early 1900s have suggested some of these herbs can be helpful for some parasitic infections.

Traditional Use (May Not Be Supported by Scientific Studies)

Ancient Chinese medical texts dating from around 150 B.C. suggest the use of sweet Annie for people with hemorrhoids.1 Other writings from 340 A.D. are the first known to mention sweet Annie as a treatment for people with fevers.2 It has been used ever since for a variety of infections in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

How It Works

Botanical names:
Artemisia annua

How It Works

Artemisinin, called qinghaosu in China where it was first discovered, is thought to account for the antimalarial activity of the plant.3, 4 This compound is a sesquiterpene lactone and is believed to cause damage to the organisms that cause malaria inside the red blood cells they infect. Preliminary and double-blind trials, have shown that injections or oral use of artemisinin or similar compounds rapidly and effectively cure people with malaria.5 A human trial has also found that artemisinin reduced mortality due to malaria by 50% compared with treatment with a standard quinoline anti-malarial drug.6 Artemisinin-based drugs have not been studied for prevention of malaria. Test tube studies suggest artemisinin can kill other parasites and bacteria,7 possibly supporting the traditional notion of using it for parasitic infections of the gastrointestinal tract.

How to Use It

Artemisinin-based drugs are not readily available in the United States or Europe and are still considered experimental. Sweet Annie cannot be substituted for artemisinin as a drug and cannot be used to treat people with malaria, a potentially lethal disease requiring immediate treatment. Traditionally, 3 grams of the powdered herb was taken each day.8

Interactions

Botanical names:
Artemisia annua

Interactions with Supplements, Foods, & Other Compounds

At the time of writing, there were no well-known supplement or food interactions with this supplement.

Interactions with Medicines

As of the last update, we found no reported interactions between this supplement and medicines. It is possible that unknown interactions exist. If you take medication, always discuss the potential risks and benefits of adding a new supplement with your doctor or pharmacist.
The Drug-Nutrient Interactions table may not include every possible interaction. Taking medicines with meals, on an empty stomach, or with alcohol may influence their effects. For details, refer to the manufacturers' package information as these are not covered in this table. If you take medications, always discuss the potential risks and benefits of adding a supplement with your doctor or pharmacist.

Side Effects

Botanical names:
Artemisia annua

Side Effects

No serious adverse effects have been seen in clinical trials with artemisinin.9 The use of the whole herb as well as artemisinin may cause upset stomach, loose stools, abdominal pain, and occasional fever.

References

1. Foster S, Yue CX. Herbal Emissaries: Bringing Chinese Herbs to the West. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 1992, 322.

2. Foster S, Yue CX. Herbal Emissaries: Bringing Chinese Herbs to the West. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 1992, 322.

3. Hien TT, White NJ. Qinghaosu. Lancet 1993;341:603-8 [review].

4. Tang W, Eisenbrand G. Chinese Drugs of Plant Origin. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1992, 160-74.

5. Hien TT, White NJ. Qinghaosu. Lancet 1993;341:603-8 [review].

6. Hien TT, White NJ. Qinghaosu. Lancet 1993;341:603-8 [review].

7. Bone K, Morgan M. Clinical Applications of Ayurvedic and Chinese Herbs: Monographs for the Western Herbal Practitioner. Warwick, Australia: Phytotherapy Press, 1992, 7-12.

8. Foster S, Yue CX. Herbal Emissaries: Bringing Chinese Herbs to the West. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press, 1992, 322.

9. Hien TT, White NJ. Qinghaosu. Lancet 1993;341:603-8 [review].