ARTEMESIA AFRA
The flagship of African medicinal plants
Artemisia Afra, commonly known as African Wormwood, in English, Wilde Als in Afrikaans, Umhlonyane in Zulu, and Lengana in Wilde Als is indigenous to South Africa.
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What is artemesia afra?
- Wilde Als is one of the most widely used traditional medicines in South Africa.
Jan van Riebeeck noted Wilde Als in his diary – and wrote that it is used it for a variety of complaints, from gout to jaundice. - Wilde Als is a tonic herb that is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antidepressant.
- Wilde Als can be used as a tea, body wash, poultice or vapour to treat respiratory ailments like colds, headaches, earache, bronchial complaints, croup, whooping cough, measles, fevers, malaria and sore throat. It is a common practice by those who know, to insert a rolled piece of fresh Wilde Als leaf into the nostrils to clear blocked nasal passages.
- Wilde Als relieves gastro and intestinal ailments like indigestion, dyspepsia, colic, loss of appetite and is supportive for diabetes.
- Wilde Als is anthelmintic – it expels intestinal worms.
- Wilde Als has pain relieving actions – a Wormwood dressing of warmed leaves can be wrapped around sprains, arthritic and rheumatic swellings, or layered and wrapped around the stomach to relieve a stomach ache. Place the leaves in a plastic bag and cover with boiling water. Once they have warmed up, remove and place between two pieces of lint / gauze and tie in place with a bandage. Remove after a few hours.
- Wilde Als is a blood purifier – and it will clear acne and boils.
- Wilde Als tea can be used as a wash to disinfect cuts and grazes.
ARTEMESIA AFRA HYDROSOL
Hydrosol is the concentrated water residue that is left behind after the process of essential oil extraction by steam distillation. This aromatic water contains the very essence of all the health benefits contained in the plant.
Artemesia Afra is one of the oldest and best known medicinal plants in South Africa collected by sailors as a malaria treatment on their journey up the coast of Africa. Used by the Khoisan people for parasites & infections. Wilde Als, it’s Afrikaans name, boosts the immune system, treats coughs, colds, intestinal worms, colic & fever.
Uses of Artemesia Afra Hydrosol:
- Spray onto exposed skin to repel mosquito’s and flies
- Use on animals to keep flies off
- Spray into your mouth as a disinfectant / mouth gargle
- Spray onto the back of your throat for inflamed throat or tonsils
- Safe to use on kids and animals
ARTEMESIA AFRA ESSENTIAL OIL
Our essential oil is distilled through a steam process to create a powerful pure oil.
Indication:
Artemisia afra is one of the oldest and best known medicinal plants in South Africa collected by sailors as a malaria treatment on their journey up the east coast of Africa. Used by the Khoisan people for parasites and infections. Tea leaf infusions are widely used across Africa for treating coughs, colds and intestinal worms. Traditionally used for the relief of chest and emotional problems, fever, colic and loss of appetite. Wilde Als also boosts the immune system.
Aromatic profile:
Complex, herbaceous, bitter.
How to use:
Add a few drops of the essential oil into a bowl of steaming hot water and cover the head and bowl with a cloth. Inhale the steam to alleviate nasal congestion; reduce fever and headaches associated with colds and flu or whooping cough. Or add a few drops to room diffuser for disinfecting the air.
Points of interest:
Artemisia afra is best known for its use in treating colds and flu. The Afrikaans name Wilde Als means “Wild Everything.”