Artemisia indica

Indian wormwood

Artemisia indica, commonly known as Indian wormwood, is a perennial herb valued in traditional medicine for its diverse therapeutic properties. Rich in bioactive compounds, it is widely used to treat digestive issues, fever, and skin ailments. This versatile plant plays a crucial role in holistic healing and pharmacological research.

  • Scientific name: Artemisia indica
  • Family: Asteraceae
  • Native range: Asia-Temperate

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales. Ultimately, it is a member of the family Asteraceae within the genus Artemisia.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Asterales WCVP
Family Asteraceae WCVP
Genus Artemisia WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Artemisia indica, is referred to by various common names depending on the region and language. In Chinese, it is known as 五月艾 (wǔyuè ài), which is also the designation used in both Simplified Chinese (五月艾, zh-cn, zh-hans) and Traditional Chinese (艾, zh-tw) contexts. In Japanese, the species is commonly called ニシヨモギ (nishiyomogi).
Language Common Name Source
zh 五月艾 Wikidata
ja ニシヨモギ Wikidata
zh-tw Wikidata
zh-cn 五月艾 Wikidata
zh-hans 五月艾 Wikidata
zh-hant Wikidata
nan Hiāⁿ-chháu Wikidata
nan-hani 艾草 Wikidata
nan-hant 艾草 Wikidata
nan-latn-pehoeji Hiāⁿ-chháu Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across various regions of China. It can be found growing in the South-Central areas of the country. Furthermore, its range extends to the tropical landscape of Hainan. The species also inhabits the northern territories of Inner Mongolia and Manchuria. Finally, it is documented to exist within the China North-Central region.

Region Area Source
China China South-Central WCVP
China Hainan WCVP
China Inner Mongolia WCVP
China Manchuria WCVP
China China North-Central WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
China Tibet WCVP
Eastern Asia Japan WCVP
Eastern Asia Korea WCVP
Eastern Asia Nansei-shoto WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, known scientifically as Artemisia indica, utilizes its various anatomical structures for both growth and medicinal efficacy. The shoot system consists of an erect, branching stem that supports the overall structure of the herb, often displaying a characteristic silvery-green hue due to fine hairs. The leaf parts are highly distinctive, being deeply lobed or pinnatifid with a fragrant, aromatic quality that is central to its therapeutic properties. Beneath the surface, the root parts provide essential anchorage and nutrient absorption, forming a sturdy foundation that allows the plant to thrive in its natural habitat.
Total parts
3
Scientific sources
3
Plant Part Sources Confidence
shoot 1 ★☆☆☆☆
root parts 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaf 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Artemisia indica has 21 reported phytochemicals identified across 22 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include maackiain, 1,8-cineole, 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, artemisia ketone, borneol.

Total chemicals
21
Scientific sources
22

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
maackiain 2 ★☆☆☆☆
1,8-cineole 1 ★☆☆☆☆
4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
artemisia ketone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
borneol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
carveol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cis-chrysanthenyl acetate 1 ★☆☆☆☆
davanone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
diisooctyl phthalate 1 ★☆☆☆☆
exiguaflavone A 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Artemisia indica has 7 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antimalarial, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Total activities
7
Scientific sources
7

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antibacterial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antifungal 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antimalarial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antitumor 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cytotoxic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Artemisia indica has 10 reported medicinal uses identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Cancer, Plasmodium falciparum, bacterial infection, colon, diarrhea.

Total uses
10
Scientific sources
10

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
Cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Plasmodium falciparum 1 ★☆☆☆☆
bacterial infection 1 ★☆☆☆☆
colon 1 ★☆☆☆☆
diarrhea 1 ★☆☆☆☆
dyslipidemia 1 ★☆☆☆☆
liver 1 ★☆☆☆☆
lung 1 ★☆☆☆☆
malaria 1 ★☆☆☆☆
oxidative stress 1 ★☆☆☆☆