Artemisinin By HerbaDiet Overview & Drug Interactions

Sweet Annie (Artemisia annua) is a plant native to Asia and a member of the daisy family. It is commonly known as 'sweet wormwood'. Sweet Annie has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in China, where it is known as "qinghao." One of the primary constituents of Sweet Annie is 'artemisinin', which is often used as a sole ingredient in dietary supplements. Some studies have suggested that it may have potential health benefits, including the ability to reduce fever and inflammation and to kill certain types of bacteria and viruses. Sweet Annie is also used in some traditional and folk remedies for its insect-repellent properties and its purported ability to treat malaria.

Black pepper is a spice made from the dried, unripe fruit of the Piper nigrum plant, which is native to the southwestern coast of India. It is one of the most widely used spices in the world, and it is often utilized to add flavor and heat to a wide variety of dishes. In traditional medicine, black pepper is purported to have a number of health benefits. It is a good source of antioxidants and is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties, which may make it useful in reducing inflammation and swelling in the body. Black pepper is also used as a natural remedy for digestive problems, such as indigestion and bloating, and to boost the immune system. Black pepper is widely used in dietary supplements, specifically, an extract from black pepper known as piperine. Piperine can affect the absorption of many drugs, which is why it has a large number of reported interactions. Oftentimes, these 'interactions' are purposeful, such as when piperine is used with turmeric, to increase its absorption.