PATIENT & CAREGIVER EDUCATION annua

This information describes the common uses of Artemisia annua, how it works, and its possible side effects.

Tell your healthcare providers about any dietary supplements you’re taking, such as herbs, vitamins, minerals, and natural or home remedies. This will help them manage your care and keep you safe.

How It Works

A compound from artemisia is used as part of combination therapy to treat , but studies of its use for other conditions are limited.

Artemisia annua is an herb traditionally used in Chinese medicine to treat , inflammation, and malaria. A compound from artemisia is used in combination with other drugs to treat malaria.

There are limited studies on the use of artemisia or it compounds for other conditions. A few initial studies suggest it may help

Artemisia annua 1/3 treat osteoarthritis. Other preliminary studies in advanced cancer patients have not shown any clinical response, and patients need to be monitored for potential side effects. More studies are needed to determine whether compounds from artemisia are safe and effective for these conditions. Purported Uses

To treat malaria A compound from artemisia is used in combination with other drugs to treat malaria. Patients need to be treated by a healthcare provider for this condition, and should not self- treat with artemisia for malaria. To reduce inflammation Preliminary studies suggest that artemisia may be helpful for hip or knee osteoarthritis, but more study is needed. To treat cancer Only a few safety studies in advanced cancer patients have been conducted, and have not shown a treatment response. In addition, patients need to be monitored for potential side effects. More studies are needed to determine the conditions under which compounds derived from artemisia may be safe and effective.

Artemisia annua 2/3 Side Effects

Case reports

Hepatitis: One case was attributed to an herbal supplement containing . Another case was linked to drinking artemisia tea to protect against malaria. Anemia: Two cases of loss of healthy red blood cells after artemisinin-based treatment for malaria. Hearing loss, ringing in the ears, and dizziness: Among several advanced breast cancer patients in a safety trial, and possibly related to oral , an active artemisia compound. The study drug was otherwise largely well tolerated among patients. Skin rash: With topical use of artemisia.

If you have any questions, contact a member of your healthcare team directly. If you're a patient at MSK and you

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Artemisia annua - Last updated on July 9, 2020 All rights owned and reserved by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

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