Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany

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Family

Asteraceae (Compositae)

Synonym(s)

Artemisia herba - alba Asso.

English name(s)

White Wormwood (Herba-alba)

Hebrew Name(s)

la'anat ha-midbar

לַעֲנַת הַמִּדְבָּר

Arabic Name(s)

sheeh شيح

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

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.

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.