Artemisia Annua (Sweet Wormwood) and Artemisinin for Cancer

Artemisia Annua (Sweet Wormwood) and Artemisinin for Cancer: What It Is, How It May Help, and Safety

AUTHORS

Nancy Hepp, MS

past Lead Researcher

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Ms. Hepp is a researcher and communicator who has been writing and editing educational content on varied health topics for more than 20 years. She serves as lead researcher and writer for CancerChoices and also served as the first program manager. Her graduate work in research and cognitive psychology, her master’s degree in instructional design, and her certificate in web design have all guided her in writing and presenting information for a wide variety of audiences and uses. Nancy’s service as faculty development coordinator in the Department of Family Medicine at Wright State University also provided experience in medical research, plus insights into medical education and medical care from the professional’s perspective.

Nancy Hepp, MS past Lead Researcher

Laura Pole, MSN, RN, OCNS

Senior Clinical Consultant

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Laura Pole is senior clinical consultant for CancerChoices. Laura is an oncology clinical nurse specialist who has been providing integrative oncology clinical care, navigation, consultation, and education services for over 40 years. She is the co-creator and co-coordinator of the Integrative Oncology Navigation Training at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts in Washington, DC. Laura also manages the “Media Watch Cancer News That You Can Use” listserv for Smith Center/Commonweal. In her role as a palliative care educator and consultant, Laura has served as statewide Respecting Choices Faculty for the Virginia POST (Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment) Collaborative as well as provided statewide professional education on palliative and end-of-life care for the Virginia Association for Hospices and Palliative Care.

For CancerChoices, Laura curates content and research, networks with clinical and organizational partners, brings awareness and education of integrative oncology at professional and patient conferences and programs, and translates research into information relevant to the patient experience as well as clinical practice.

Laura sees her work with CancerChoices as a perfect alignment of all her passions, knowledge and skills in integrative oncology care. She is honored to serve you.

Laura Pole, MSN, RN, OCNS Senior Clinical Consultant

Last update: March 12, 2026

Artemisia annua (sweet wormwood) and artemisinin for cancer: what you need to know

• The dried leaf or extract of the Artemisia annua plant, or its natural derivative artemisinin,  are available as supplements.
• Artemisia extracts show benefits for pain and other symptoms of arthritis.
• Preclinical (lab or animal) studies have shown some anticancer effects but clinical evidence is extremely limited. 
• Supervision by a medical professional is essential due to possible contraindications and side effects.
• This is not a standalone treatment for cancer; it is a complementary therapy used alongside standard medical care to support treatment and/or well-being.

What is Artemisia annua (sweet wormwood) and artemisinin?

The dried leaf or extract of the Artemisia annua plant or its natural derivative artemisinin are available as supplements with anti-inflammatory action. It is traditionally used as a malaria treatment. 

The Artemisia annua plant contains artemisinins, chemical compounds with mostly preclinical evidencetesting a drug, a procedure, or another medical treatment in isolated cells or in animals; preclinical evidence is considered only an initial indication of possible effects in people of action against cancer, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Extracts also show benefits for pain and other symptoms of arthritis.

There are prescription drugs developed from artemisinins from the Artemisia annua plant. See our separate review on artesunate and artemisinin-based drugs ›.

Safety

• Supervision by a medical professional is essential.
• It should not be used during pregnancy.
• Known interactions, consult with your healthcare provider before adding to your regimen.
• Liver toxicity and vomiting have been reported as side effects. 

See full safety details ↓

How Artemisia annua (sweet wormwood) and artemisinin may help people with cancer

Strength of evidence rating

Optimizing your body terrain

In one study, people with active rheumatoid arthritis treated with an antirheumatic drug (leflunomide), methotrexate, and extract of Artemisia annua L. showed lower levels of a marker of inflammation (ESR) than those treated with leflunomide and methotrexate alone.³Yang M, Guo MY et al. Effect of Artemisia annua extract on treating active rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized controlled trial. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine. 2017 Jul;23(7):496-503. 

Preclinical evidence shows better markers of immune function and oxidative stress in animals or cancer cells treated with Artemisia annua extracts or artemisinin.⁴Jung EJ, Paramanantham A et al. Identification of growth factors, cytokines and mediators regulated by Artemisia annua L. polyphenols (pKAL) in HCT116 colorectal cancer cells: TGF-β1 and NGF-β attenuate pKAL-induced anticancer effects via NF-κB p65 upregulation. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2022 Jan 29;23(3):1598; Langroudi L, Hassan ZM et al. A comparison of low-dose cyclophosphamide treatment with artemisinin treatment in reducing the number of regulatory T cells in murine breast cancer model. International Immunopharmacology. 2010 Sep;10(9):1055-61; Choi EY, Choi JO, Park CY, Kim SH, Kim D. Water extract of Artemisia annua L. exhibits hepatoprotective effects through improvement of lipid accumulation and oxidative stress-induced cytotoxicity. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2020 Dec;23(12):1312-1322.

Reducing cancer risk or recurrence

We did not find any studies investigating Artemisia annua or artemisinin for reducing cancer risk.

See the full evidence summary ›

Affordability and access

Is a prescription required?

• No

Other names and brands

Plant leaves and powdered and liquid extracts are available for purchase in the US. You may find artemisinin under these alternate names and brands: 

Where to find it

• Drug stores
• Supplement stores
• Online supplement distributors
• To find practitioners or clinics providing artemisinin, see Yes to Life: Artemisinin ›

Affordability

• Moderate cost (approximately $50 a month)

Find an integrative provider ›

Full safety details

Side effects and adverse reactions

Liver toxicity has been reported among people using Arthrem, an Artemisia annua extract;⁵New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority. Arthrem – potential risk of harm to the liver – statement under section 98 of the Medicines Act 1981. August 29, 2023. Viewed March 12, 2026. routine monitoring of liver function is advised during use.

Vomiting is the most common side effect reported among people treated with Artemisia annua tea for malaria.⁶Willcox ML, Burton S et al. Evaluation and pharmacovigilance of projects promoting cultivation and local use of Artemisia annua for malaria. Malaria Journal. 2011 Apr 11;10:84. 

Contraindications

Use during pregnancy may cause harm to the fetus.⁷Alschuler LN, Gazella KA. The Definitive Guide to Cancer, 3rd Edition: An Integrative Approach to Prevention, Treatment, and Healing. Berkeley, California: Celestial Arts. 2010. p. 162. Of about 3,000 cases of presumed malaria treated with A. annua teas, including 54 women in the first trimester of pregnancy, 2 miscarriages were reported.⁸Willcox ML, Burton S et al. Evaluation and pharmacovigilance of projects promoting cultivation and local use of Artemisia annua for malaria. Malaria Journal. 2011 Apr 11;10:84.

Drug interactions 

There are known drug interactions with this therapy. Interactions with medications and other interventions are complex. Always consult with a healthcare professional before adding any new therapy to your regimen. To learn more about interactions visit one of the trusted resources below: 

• EfficaSafe ›
• About Herbs ›

FAQs

• Can Artemisia help fight cancer?
  Preclinical (lab or animal) studies have shown some anticancer effects but clinical evidence is extremely limited.
• Can Artemisia help with cancer pain?
  Two studies on people with arthritis show benefits for pain and other arthritis symptoms, but there are no studies investigating Artemisia for cancer pain.
• Can Artemisia help with cancer side effects?
  There are no studies investigating whether Artemisia can help with cancer side effects.
• Does Artemisia support immune function in cancer patients?
  There are no studies investigating Artemisia’s effects on immune function in cancer patients.
• Can Artemisia reduce inflammation in cancer patients? 
  Preclinical (lab or animal) evidence suggests anti-inflammatory activity, but there are no clinical studies investigating Artemisia’s effects on inflammation in cancer patients.

Read more about supplements and therapies

• Sourcing Quality Herbs & Supplements ›
• Supplement and Therapies Database ›

Whole person cancer care resources