ARTEMISIA AFRA
FAMILY :: COMPOSITAE
AFRICAN WORMWOOD: A half-tender, gray, lacy-leafed 3-4′ shrub strongly scented. Said to repel dogs.
Used in traditional African medicine for fevers, bronchial problems and malaria. As an inhalation it is used traditionally to relieve nasal congestion and headache. The fresh leaf is put into the nose for nasal congestion. Warmed leaves relieve inflammation due to hemorrhoids. Narcotic analgesic and antihistaminic properties have been reported. The volatile oil obtained from the leaves has antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi, of both public health and agricultural importance.
Artemisia afra is one of the oldest and best known South African medicinal plants, and is still used effectively today in South Africa by people of all cultures.