Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany

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Artemisia sieberi Besser

Family

Asteraceae (Compositae)

Synonym(s)

Artemisia herba - alba Asso.

English name(s)

White Wormwood (Herba-alba)

Arabic Name(s)

sheeh شيح

Hebrew Name(s)

la'anat ha-midbar

לַעֲנַת הַמִּדְבָּר

Life Form

Chamaephyte

Habitat

Sand

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Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Artemisia sieberi Besser

System/State	Traditional Complaint/Use	Activity / Interpretation	Traditional Preparation/ Administration	Parts Used	Source
Cardiovascular	High blood pressure (Hypertension)	Hypotensive	Decoct plant in water, alone or + "yansun" (Pimpinella anisum) fruit + carob seeds & drink 1 cup x3/day.	Aerial parts	Z
Endocrine/ Metabolic	Diabetes mellitus	Hypoglycemic	1.Decoct plant in water, alone or + "yansun" (Pimpinella anisum) fruit + carob seeds & drink instead of water.(Z) 2.Prepare infusion of aerial parts & drink x2/day. (B)	Aerial parts	Z, B
Gastrointestinal	Abdominal pain, gas, bloating (Z) Abdominal pain (B)	Carminative	1.Prepare extract of aerial parts by cooking in water + "za'tar" (thyme, Thymbra capitata) or + cumin (Cuminum sp.) + "na'na" (Mentha sp.) & drink. (Z) 2. Decoct aerial parts in water, alone or + "yansun" (Pimpinella anisum) fruit + carob seeds & drink 1 cup x3/day. (Z) 3. Decoct aerial parts & drink 1-2 cups/day. (B)	Aerial parts	Z, B
Gastrointestinal	Diarrhea / dysentery /inflammation digestive tract	Anti-Infective, Anti-diarrheal, Anti-inflammatory, Demulcent	Decoct plant in water alone or + "yansun" (Pimpinella anisum) fruit + carob seeds; for diarrhea & inflammation: drink x3 cups/day; for dysentery: drink x4 large cups/day.	Aerial parts	Z
Haematology	Lack of blood (anaemia)	Anti-anaemic	Decoct plant in water, alone or + "yansun" (Pimpinella anisum) fruit + carob seeds & drink 1 cup x3/day.	Aerial parts	Z
Helminth infections	Intestinal worms	Anthelmintic, Vermifuge	Boil plant in water & drink.	Aerial parts	Z
Infectious Diseases	Measles	Anti-Infective	Prepare extract of plant by cooking in water & drink + honey.	Aerial parts	Z
Mens health/ Sexuality	Aphrodisiac for men	Aphrodisiac	Prepare infusion of leaves & drink x2/day.	Leaf	B
Musculoskeletal/ Joints	Muscle weakness	Non-specific	Prepare extract of plant & drink + honey.	Aerial parts	Z
Musculoskeletal/ Joints	Rheumatism/ arthritis	Analgesic, Anti-arthritic, Anti-inflammatory	Decoct 500 gm leaves in 2L water, add to bath water & immerse for 30 min.	Leaf	B
Pain Relief	Chest pain	Analgesic	Decoct aerial parts & drink x1-2 cups/ day or inhale steam from decoction.	Aerial parts	B
Respiratory	Asthma; treats & prevents	Anti-asthmatic	Decoct plant in water, alone or + "yansun" (Pimpinella anisum) fruit + carob seeds & drink 1 cup x3/day.	Aerial parts	Z
Respiratory	Colds	Anti-Infective	Grind plant, add oil, burn & inhale smoke.	Aerial parts	Z
Respiratory	Cough / inflammation of throat & respiratory tract	Anti-Infective, Anti-tussive, Demulcent	1. Decoct plant in water alone or + "yansun" (Pimpinella anisum) fruit + carob seeds & drink 1 cup x3/day. 2. Cough: cook plant in water & add honey. Can also add "azir" (rosemary, Rosmarinus sp.) (Z notes this recipe is widely used in children.)	Aerial parts	Z

The authors of FLORAPALE, (Flora Palaestina Ethnobotanical) web site do not take responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants described here. Always seek advice from a health professional before using a plant medicinally or for other purposes. See DISCLAIMER.

Notes

Cautions

Artemisia sieberi may cause side effects including decreased pulse rate & decreased blood pressure. Essential oil contains thujones which in large quantities can be toxic to brain, liver & kidneys. Plants in Artemesia genus may be abortificient & cause skin allergies.