Artemisia annua - Sweet Wormwood
Artemisia Origins
Artemisia annua - Sweet Wormwood. The genus was named in honor of the Moon Goddess of childbirth, midwifery and chastity. Artemis was her name, etymoligcally derived from arktos meaning ‘bear’, supported by her bear cults of Attica which were survivals of ancient shamanistic rituals that were integral to a larger bear cult. *arta, *art, *arte all mean ‘great, excellent, holy’ which is not dissimilar to Platos interpretation in Cratylus Artimis to be the safe, unharmed, uninjured, chaste, pure stainless maiden.
Current Usage
The Artemisia genus has solidified its stance as a mystical spiritual medicine encouraging expanded states of awareness for hundreds of years as a “visionary herb”. This family produces a range of medicinal complexes found in many of the Artemisia species. Compounds as in the popular Wormwood sp. (and its common alcoholic beverage, Absinthe) even shares some compounds with Salvia officinalis. Most of its historical usage outside of the cultural traditions is as an antimalarial treatment. This was empirically proved in modernity and has prolific uses though out history among Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners. Some studies claims it has saved millions of lives across the world thanks to scientific discoveries in China in regards to malaria.
Notable Uses
It first came under study in the US in 2002 during the SARS-2 outbreak in China as a potential antiviral treatment. Much research has already been posted in the way of commercializing natural herbal medicines, especially Artemisia, against SARS-CoV infectious diseases (1) though most widely recognized as anti-malarial. The main biological activities of the major identified constituents of Artemisia are anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antipyretic, cooling, and antiallergic, anti-malarial, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-tumor, and immunomodulatory affects.
Artemisinin Discovery
In 2015, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to a member of the 523 Project (Professor Youyou Tu) (2), the aforementioned Chinese study into the nature of Artemisia as an antimalarial drug. This was a covert operation in the 1960’s and 70’s brought on by the Vietnamese government. China at the time did not allow scientific research and the results were not published publicly. The study, which was a massive exploration of traditional chinese recipies and herbal plant resulted in discovery of the first extraction method, using ether as a more effective solvent over ethanol, by Prof. Youyou, and isolation of Artemisinin (1,2,4-trioxane peroxide pharmacophore) and its derivatives (8). These discoveries were highly praised once recognized and provided paradigm changing data for the new class of antimalarial agents. This new publicly garnered attention toward Artemisa species caused a surge in research into the species. As of 2022 there are over 10,000 results in PubMed for the search “Artemisinin”.
Psychadelia and Oneirologic Quality
Of these 10,000 results, few if any focus on the mystical, psychadelic, or oneirologic properties attributed to the various species, specifically Artemisia vulgaris carries oneirologic qualities and A. annua was used in the popular alcoholic beverage, Absinthe (coming from latin; apsinthion meaning 'wormwood'). Despite a long tradition of anecdotal evidence by notable historical figures suggesting waking states of psychedelia, most modern research has been unable to discover any highly psychoactive complexes. In fact, it was thought for quite some time that the popular compound Thujone was responsible for the reported psychadlia. It was even considered to be a cannabinoid due to its similar uptake as Tetrahydrocannabinol, though this is no longer made. Thujone is actually a competitive antagonist of GABA, making it a neurotoxin. Later studies show in heavy dosages it leads to convulsions while light dosages can lead to mood-elevating and stimulating effects (3). It was these low dosages found in food and alcohol products around the world. Most researchers reduced the historical accounts of psychedelia to routine drunkenness. This conclusion seems drastically misinformed to JD.
Missing Links
It appears self-evident to JD that surely there is a host of ~other~ undiscovered compounds present in the Soul of the Artemisia that may or may not work in synergy to open unique channels to the vacuum of consciousness. These compounds may have either individual or synergetic affects on the data processing mechanisms of the brain that allow for the enhanced lucidity and cognizant dream activity reported with mugwort and the psychadelia from absinthe (modern absinthe is actually made from Grand wormwood - A. absinthium). Regardless the unending reports of various Artemisia species as a dream enhancer and psychadelic should not be disregarded simply because psychoactive compounds have yet to be discovered.
Ultimately, the psychoactive complexes in Mugwort remain highly elusive (probably due to the fact that nobody is looking for them specifically). Hopefully, this newfound research and outlining of the limits of knowledge of this particular phytochemistry inspires plant chemists and biologists to enquire further into the chemical nature of Artemisia and other oneirogenic medicines so as to pinpoint the exact molecular structures and complexes responsible for the affects so widely reported.
Key Growing Information
Found in hardiness Zones 4-10Herbaceous perennial. Grows well in most soil pHs but poorly in overly rich soil. 7-21 days to germinate. Most artemeisia are grown as foliage plants. Artemisia prefers full sun and can be grown from a cutting or division. Blooming occurs from August to September. Presence of Artemisinin is dependent on quality of growing conditions. It is a very adaptable plant, however if nutritionally starved or radically different climates can contribute to very large disparities in chemical content. Only healthy aromatic specimens should be harvested. (7)
Extraction Methods
2 ounces of organic Mugwort sourced from Ulwau, France - Dream Herbs Temple was placed in a Soxhlet extraction apparatus and the plant Soul was extracted with 60% ABV Cane Spirits under vacuum. This ratio was based on a collection of historical practice, old and current pharmacopeia data, and contemporary usage within Lisa Ganoras book Foundations of Phytochemistry. Once the solvent began to run clear, the plant material was reclaimed, pressed, then calcined and crystallized to extract the nutritional/mineral components. The crystalized sample was homogenized via cohobation with the Soul extract to achieve a final spagyric evolution on 1/27/22.
Warning* Do not take during pregnancy.
Sources
(1) https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ptr.6733
(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4966551/
(3) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thujone
(4) https://sites.evergreen.edu/plantchemeco/thujone-psychedelic-potent-cancer-treatment-or-poison/
(5) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7404215/
(6) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32777330/
(7) https://www.thespruce.com/artemisia-1402826#:~:text=They%20will%20grow%20best%20in,Pulmonaria%2C%20and%20white%20variegated%20grass.
(8) https://www-jstor-org.nmu.idm.oclc.org/stable/resrep28010.6?Search=yes&resultItemClick=true&searchText=artemisia+annua&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dartemisia%2Bannua%26so%3Dnew%26efqs%3DeyJjdHkiOlsiYW05MWNtNWhiQT09IiwiY21WelpXRnlZMmhmY21Wd2IzSjAiXSwiZGlzYyI6W119&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3A4f102520f36ea7b63784906caba9b5aa&seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents
Artemisia Origins
Artemisia annua - Sweet Wormwood. The genus was named in honor of the Moon Goddess of childbirth, midwifery and chastity. Artemis was her name, etymoligcally derived from arktos meaning ‘bear’, supported by her bear cults of Attica which were survivals of ancient shamanistic rituals that were integral to a larger bear cult. *arta, *art, *arte all mean ‘great, excellent, holy’ which is not dissimilar to Platos interpretation in Cratylus Artimis to be the safe, unharmed, uninjured, chaste, pure stainless maiden.
Current Usage
The Artemisia genus has solidified its stance as a mystical spiritual medicine encouraging expanded states of awareness for hundreds of years as a “visionary herb”. This family produces a range of medicinal complexes found in many of the Artemisia species. Compounds as in the popular Wormwood sp. (and its common alcoholic beverage, Absinthe) even shares some compounds with Salvia officinalis. Most of its historical usage outside of the cultural traditions is as an antimalarial treatment. This was empirically proved in modernity and has prolific uses though out history among Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners. Some studies claims it has saved millions of lives across the world thanks to scientific discoveries in China in regards to malaria.
Notable Uses
It first came under study in the US in 2002 during the SARS-2 outbreak in China as a potential antiviral treatment. Much research has already been posted in the way of commercializing natural herbal medicines, especially Artemisia, against SARS-CoV infectious diseases (1) though most widely recognized as anti-malarial. The main biological activities of the major identified constituents of Artemisia are anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antipyretic, cooling, and antiallergic, anti-malarial, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-tumor, and immunomodulatory affects.
Artemisinin Discovery
In 2015, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to a member of the 523 Project (Professor Youyou Tu) (2), the aforementioned Chinese study into the nature of Artemisia as an antimalarial drug. This was a covert operation in the 1960’s and 70’s brought on by the Vietnamese government. China at the time did not allow scientific research and the results were not published publicly. The study, which was a massive exploration of traditional chinese recipies and herbal plant resulted in discovery of the first extraction method, using ether as a more effective solvent over ethanol, by Prof. Youyou, and isolation of Artemisinin (1,2,4-trioxane peroxide pharmacophore) and its derivatives (8). These discoveries were highly praised once recognized and provided paradigm changing data for the new class of antimalarial agents. This new publicly garnered attention toward Artemisa species caused a surge in research into the species. As of 2022 there are over 10,000 results in PubMed for the search “Artemisinin”.
Psychadelia and Oneirologic Quality
Of these 10,000 results, few if any focus on the mystical, psychadelic, or oneirologic properties attributed to the various species, specifically Artemisia vulgaris carries oneirologic qualities and A. annua was used in the popular alcoholic beverage, Absinthe (coming from latin; apsinthion meaning 'wormwood'). Despite a long tradition of anecdotal evidence by notable historical figures suggesting waking states of psychedelia, most modern research has been unable to discover any highly psychoactive complexes. In fact, it was thought for quite some time that the popular compound Thujone was responsible for the reported psychadlia. It was even considered to be a cannabinoid due to its similar uptake as Tetrahydrocannabinol, though this is no longer made. Thujone is actually a competitive antagonist of GABA, making it a neurotoxin. Later studies show in heavy dosages it leads to convulsions while light dosages can lead to mood-elevating and stimulating effects (3). It was these low dosages found in food and alcohol products around the world. Most researchers reduced the historical accounts of psychedelia to routine drunkenness. This conclusion seems drastically misinformed to JD.
Missing Links
It appears self-evident to JD that surely there is a host of ~other~ undiscovered compounds present in the Soul of the Artemisia that may or may not work in synergy to open unique channels to the vacuum of consciousness. These compounds may have either individual or synergetic affects on the data processing mechanisms of the brain that allow for the enhanced lucidity and cognizant dream activity reported with mugwort and the psychadelia from absinthe (modern absinthe is actually made from Grand wormwood - A. absinthium). Regardless the unending reports of various Artemisia species as a dream enhancer and psychadelic should not be disregarded simply because psychoactive compounds have yet to be discovered.
Ultimately, the psychoactive complexes in Mugwort remain highly elusive (probably due to the fact that nobody is looking for them specifically). Hopefully, this newfound research and outlining of the limits of knowledge of this particular phytochemistry inspires plant chemists and biologists to enquire further into the chemical nature of Artemisia and other oneirogenic medicines so as to pinpoint the exact molecular structures and complexes responsible for the affects so widely reported.
Key Growing Information
Found in hardiness Zones 4-10Herbaceous perennial. Grows well in most soil pHs but poorly in overly rich soil. 7-21 days to germinate. Most artemeisia are grown as foliage plants. Artemisia prefers full sun and can be grown from a cutting or division. Blooming occurs from August to September. Presence of Artemisinin is dependent on quality of growing conditions. It is a very adaptable plant, however if nutritionally starved or radically different climates can contribute to very large disparities in chemical content. Only healthy aromatic specimens should be harvested. (7)
Extraction Methods
2 ounces of organic Mugwort sourced from Ulwau, France - Dream Herbs Temple was placed in a Soxhlet extraction apparatus and the plant Soul was extracted with 60% ABV Cane Spirits under vacuum. This ratio was based on a collection of historical practice, old and current pharmacopeia data, and contemporary usage within Lisa Ganoras book Foundations of Phytochemistry. Once the solvent began to run clear, the plant material was reclaimed, pressed, then calcined and crystallized to extract the nutritional/mineral components. The crystalized sample was homogenized via cohobation with the Soul extract to achieve a final spagyric evolution on 1/27/22.
Warning* Do not take during pregnancy.
Sources
(1) https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ptr.6733
(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4966551/
(3) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thujone
(4) https://sites.evergreen.edu/plantchemeco/thujone-psychedelic-potent-cancer-treatment-or-poison/
(5) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7404215/
(6) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32777330/
(7) https://www.thespruce.com/artemisia-1402826#:~:text=They%20will%20grow%20best%20in,Pulmonaria%2C%20and%20white%20variegated%20grass.
(8) https://www-jstor-org.nmu.idm.oclc.org/stable/resrep28010.6?Search=yes&resultItemClick=true&searchText=artemisia+annua&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dartemisia%2Bannua%26so%3Dnew%26efqs%3DeyJjdHkiOlsiYW05MWNtNWhiQT09IiwiY21WelpXRnlZMmhmY21Wd2IzSjAiXSwiZGlzYyI6W119&ab_segments=0%2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastly-default%3A4f102520f36ea7b63784906caba9b5aa&seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents
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