Artemisia annua tea: preparation, uses and precautions
Artemisia tea is made from the dried leaves of Artemisia annua L., also called sweet wormwood or annual wormwood. Here are the essentials: where the plant comes from, what is known today, how to prepare the infusion and which precautions to follow.
Artemisia annua tea 100% â 60 tea bags
Dried Artemisia annua L. leaves only, no flavouring or additives. 1 tea bag per cup, 1 to 2 cups a day.
See the Artemisia teaA plant of traditional Chinese herbal medicine
Sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua L.) belongs to the Asteraceae family. Native to the temperate regions of Asia, it has featured for centuries in the traditional Chinese pharmacopoeia under the name qinghao, where its leaves were used against fevers.
In 1972, the Chinese researcher Tu Youyou isolated artemisinin from it, work that was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2015. This molecule is the origin of medicines against malaria: purified, precisely dosed substances prescribed by a doctor. A leaf tea is not a medicine and never replaces them.
What is known today
Artemisia annua extracts are the subject of many studies, carried out mainly in the laboratory and in animals. These results do not allow any effect on a disease to be attributed to a tea. The tea is best seen as a herbal drink within a balanced lifestyle.
If you are considering a plant for health reasons, or if you are under treatment, ask a doctor or pharmacist for advice.
How to prepare Artemisia tea
Pour hot, not boiling, water (about 80 °C) over 1 tea bag and leave to infuse for 5 to 10 minutes. Allow 1 to 2 cups a day, ideally between meals. The taste is herbal and bitter; a slice of lemon or a spoonful of honey softens it.
| Cups per day | 1 pack (60 tea bags) | Set of 3 packs (180 tea bags) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cup | 60 days (about 2 months) | 180 days (about 6 months) |
| 2 cups | 30 days (1 month) | 90 days (3 months) |
Precautions for use
- Do not use during pregnancy or breastfeeding without medical advice.
- People under medical treatment, particularly for heart or liver conditions, should consult their doctor before use.
- May cause allergic reactions in people sensitive to plants of the Asteraceae family.
- Use in moderation. Excessive consumption may cause digestive discomfort: do not exceed the recommended amount.
- Not recommended for children. Not to be confused with common mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), a different species.
Our Artemisia annua teas
This article is provided for information only and does not constitute medical advice.