Artemisia Annua (Sweet Wormwood) and Artemisinin for Cancer

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

Authors

Olivia Pearman, PhD

Research Associate

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Olivia Pearman is an experienced researcher who is passionate about access to scientific information. She has over a decade of research experience with a PhD from the University of Colorado at Boulder, a Master’s from the Yale School of the Environment, and a Bachelor of Science from Clemson University. Throughout her career, she has honed her skills in translating research for all audiences and is thrilled to work with CancerChoices to help make scientific knowledge available for everybody.

Olivia Pearman, PhD Research Associate

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

Clinical reviewer

Meghan Zech, ND, FABNO

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Dr. Meghan Zech is a board-certified Naturopathic Oncologist (FABNO) and Registered Herbalist dedicated to enhancing health and vitality through integrative, patient-centered care.

Meghan Zech, ND, FABNO

Last update: September 29, 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. 
• Artemisinin-based drugs such as artesunate and artemether are available by prescription only and they are not approved by the FDA for treating cancer; use for cancer is considered off-label.
• 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?

Artemisia annua (Sweet Wormwood) is an herb native to Northern Africa and Eurasia, but has been naturalized across North America and in other temperate climates. The Artemisia annua plant contains artemisinins, which are chemical compounds with mostly preclinical evidence of action against cancer, inflammation, and oxidative stress. The plant itself is available as a dried leaf herb and artemisinin extract is available in supplements and in artemisinin-based prescription drugs.

The bioavailability of artemisinin from dried leaves or herbal extracts greatly depends on the method of extraction and administration.¹Gao S, Chen J et al. The preparation and relative bioavailability of an artemisin in self-emulsifying drug delivery system. Drug Delivery. 2023 Jan 28;30(1):2168794. Prescription drugs derived from artemisinin such as artesunate are more potent and are more readily absorbed by the body. These prescription drugs are only approved for use in treating malaria; they are not approved by the FDA for treating cancer. These drugs require a prescription, can be very expensive, and are unlikely to be covered by insurance for off-label use in cancer. There is some weak evidence that these drugs may lead to better cancer outcomes.

Safety

• Supervision by a medical professional is essential.
• It should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• 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, side effects & drug interactions →

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

Strength of evidence rating

We rate the strength of the evidence with 0=no evidence, 1=weak evidence, 2=modest evidence, and 3=good evidence. Read more about our method in detail here ›

Optimizing your body terrain

We have found no studies specific to cancer that examine the effects of Artemisia annua or artemisinin-based drugs on body terrain. However, there is some evidence that artemisinin may have positive effects on inflammation and immune function.

One study found minimal increases in some markers of immune function among people with HIV treated with artesunate⁷Chen S, Xu Q, Wang J, Tan X. Effects of artesunate tablet on immune activation and reconstitution among highly active antiretroviral therapy-treated patients with incomplete immune responses. AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses. 2022 Feb;38(2):100-110. and another study found lower inflammation among people with rheumatoid arthritis treated with Artemisia annua extract.⁸Yang 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.

Reducing cancer risk or recurrence

Artemisia annua and artemisinin-based drugs have not been well-studied for reducing cancer risk. A single case study describes a patient with prostate cancer who was in remission after being treated with Artemisia annua capsules combined with conventional treatment. After seven months, the patient experienced recurrence, with no further apparent benefit from the capsules or from artesunate injections.⁹Michaelsen FW, Saeed ME, Schwarzkopf J, Efferth T. Activity of Artemisia annua and artemisinin derivatives, in prostate carcinoma. Phytomedicine. 2015 Dec 15;22(14):1223-31.

See the full evidence summary ›

Affordability and access

Is a prescription required?

• No prescription required for Artemisia annua as a dried herb or artemisinin extract supplements 
• A prescription from a licensed physician is required for artemisinin-derived drugs in the U.S.

Other names and brands

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

Artemisinin-derived drugs include:

Where to find it

Plant leaves and powdered and liquid extracts are available at:

• Drug stores
• Supplement stores
• Online supplement distributors

Artemisinin-derived drugs are available by prescription in the US for use with patients who have a documented case of severe malaria. Any other use is considered off-label. Artesunate is used widely in European cancer clinics providing complementary therapies.

Finding Integrative Professionals › Find health professionals who use both conventional and complementary approaches, including off-label drugs, in an integrative approach to cancer focusing on your body terrain.

Affordability

• Plant leaves and extracts: Inexpensive (approximately $50 a month)
• Artemisinin-derived drugs: Very expensive (from hundreds to thousands of dollars per month) for a course of treatment for malaria;¹⁰Frosch AEP, Ahiskali A, John CC. Unaffordable treatment for severe malaria highlights U.S. drug market pitfalls. Stat. June 11, 2021. Viewed November 22, 2022. the cost for effective cancer treatment using these drugs off-label could be more.
• Insurance coverage is unlikely for either supplements or prescription drugs for cancer.

FAQs

Read more about supplements and therapies

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

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