Anthology of Pharmacological activities from folklore medicine Artemisia

Abstract

The name of Artemisia is derived from Artemis, the Greek mythological goddess of the moon and hunting. Artemisia is a genus comprising of over 20000 species belongs to the family of Asteraceae. Artemisia is a hardy herbaceous shrub known for valuable secondary metabolites in their plant. Common names for various species involve mugwort, southern worts, sagebrush, and wormwood. Presence of several bioactive ingredient participate in its broad spectrum bioactive activities through various mode of action. Because of its widespread pharmacological activity, it has been used in folklore medicine from ancient time as an antibacterial, antispasmodic, antiarthritic, anthelminthic agent and for the treatment of cancer, inflammation, malaria, menstrual related disorders and in hepatitis. This review includes the traditional uses and pharmacological activities of different Artemisia species.