Artemisinin, the active compound found in this plant, has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine. Native to Asia, it has been successfully cultivated worldwide.
Rediscovered in 1971, Artemisia annua quickly became a vital source for treating malaria. Chinese scientist Tu Youyou won the Nobel Prize in 2015 for isolating artemisinin and its medical applications.
Beyond artemisinin, this plant contains other bioactive compounds. Ongoing research explores their combined effects, which include antiviral, antiparasitic, and anticancer properties.