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Artemisia Afra - Umhlonyane

Artemisia afra is one of the oldest and best known medicinal plants and is still used effectively today in South Africa by people of all cultures. Artemisia afra is a highly aromatic plant known as wormwood or sagewood (English); Wilde Als (Afrikaans); Umhlonyane (Xhosa); Umhlonyane (Zulu); Lengana (Sotho). It is an erect multi-stemmed perennial shrub of up to 2 meters in height and is widely distributed in Southern Africa. Umhlonyane is one of the most widely used traditional medicines in Sothern Africa. Numerous ailments are treated with it, mainly coughs, colds and influenza but also fever, loss of appetite, colic, headache, earache, malaria fever and intestinal worms amongst others. Umhlonyane has also been used in natural insecticide sprays and as moth repellent. Word-wide there are about 400 species of Artemisia, mainly form the northern hemisphere. Many of the other Artemisia species are also aromatic perennials and are used medicinally. Called wormwood due to its intestinal worm-expelling properties in the ancient Greek text of Dioscorides; Indians from New Mexico use similar varieties to treat bronchitis and colds; and the Chinese still use wormwood rolled up in the nostril to stop nosebleeds.

Plant Description

Umhlonyane grows in thick, bushy, slightly untidy, clumps, usually with tall stems up to 2 meters high, but sometimes as low as 0.6 meters. The stems are thick and woody at the base, becoming thinner and softer towards the top. Many smaller side branches shoot from the main stems. The stems are ribbed with strong swollen lines that run all the way up. The upper surface of the leaves is dark green whereas the undersides and the stems are covered with small white hairs, which give the shrub the characteristic overall grey colour.

Distribution and Habitat

From the Cederberg Mountains in the Western Cape, in all provinces of South Africa except the Northern Cape, to tropical East Africa and Ethiopia, on damp slopes, and along streams and forest margins Growing/Planting Suggestions Umhlonyane flowers in late summer, from March to May. The individual creamy yellow flowers are small (3-4 mm in diameter), nodding and crowded at the tips of the branches. Very typical of Artemisia afra is the strong, sticky sweet smell that it exudes when touched or cut. Mulch to retain moisture around the roots. Umhlonyane will tolerate most soil types. Grow with Leonotus varieties for an interesting effect. Umhlonyane needs full sun and heavy pruning in winter to encourage new lush growth in spring. Actively growing in the summer months, it should be able to take quite low temperatures during the winter months. Fast-growing, established shrubs are very tough and will slowly spread to form thicker clumps. New plants can be propagated by division or from cuttings that root easily in spring and summer.

Growing/Planting Suggestions

Umhlonyane flowers in late summer, from March to May. The individual creamy yellow flowers are small (3-4 mm in diameter), nodding and crowded at the tips of the branches. Very typical of Artemisia afra is the strong, sticky sweet smell that it exudes when touched or cut. Mulch to retain moisture around the roots. Umhlonyane will tolerate most soil types. Grow with Leonotus varieties for an interesting effect. Umhlonyane needs full sun and heavy pruning in winter to encourage new lush growth in spring. Actively growing in the summer months, it should be able to take quite low temperatures during the winter months. Fast-growing, established shrubs are very tough and will slowly spread to form thicker clumps. New plants can be propagated by division or from cuttings that root easily in spring and summer. Seed can be sown in spring or summer.

Medicinal

• Umhlonyane is mostly used for traditional medicines in South Africa. Jan van Riebeeck noted Umhlonyane in his diary – and wrote that they used it for a variety of complaints, from gout to jaundice.
• Umhlonyane is a tonic herb that is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antidepressant.
• Umhlonyane can be used as a tea, body wash, poultice or vapour to treat respiratory ailments like colds, headaches, earache, bronchial complaints, croup, whooping cough, measles, fevers, malaria and sore throat. It is a common practice by those who know, to insert a rolled piece of fresh Artemisia Afra leaf into the nostrils to clear blocked nasal passages.
• Umhlonyane relieves gastro and intestinal ailments like indigestion, dyspepsia, colic, loss of appetite and is supportive for diabetes.
• Umhlonyane is anthelmintic - it expels intestinal worms.
• Umhlonyane has pain relieving actions - a Wormwood dressing of warmed leaves can be wrapped around sprains, arthritic and rheumatic swellings, or layered and wrapped around the stomach to relieve a stomach ache. Place the leaves in a plastic bag and cover with boiling water. Once they have warmed up, remove and place between two pieces of lint / gauze and tie in place with a bandage. Remove after a few hours.
• Umhlonyane is a blood purifier - and it will clear acne and boils.
• Umhlonyane tea can be used as a wash to disinfect cuts and grazes.

Other uses of Umhlonyane

Use Umhlonyane in insect-repelling sprays and teas to repel fleas. Add the tea to your dog’s bath. Dried powdered Umhlonyane can be scattered around in cracks and crevices to deter ants and fleas.