Two traditions that beat malaria
The Andes’ cinchona bark and Asia’s wormwood became the two cornerstones of modern malaria treatment.
Side by side
| Wormwood | Cinchona | |
|---|---|---|
| Latin name | Artemisia absinthium, A. annua ve diğerleri | Cinchona officinalis |
| Family | Asteraceae | Rubiaceae |
| Region | Anatolia and the Mediterranean, Asia and Siberia | Andes |
| Part used | Leaves, flowering tops | Bark |
| Use | Healing, Incense and protection, Ritual and shamanic | Healing, Poisonous |
| Scientific evidence | Limited | Clinical |
| Safety | Caution | High risk |
| Legal status in Türkiye | No specific restriction | No specific restriction |
Wormwood
Known for its bitterness; brewed to stimulate appetite, for the stomach and to expel worms. Steppe wormwood is burned as incense.
Mongol and Siberian peoples use Artemisia smoke for cleansing. In Chinese medicine, dried Artemisia (moxa) is burned on the skin to give heat.
Science: Artemisinin, extracted from sweet wormwood (A. annua), is now the backbone of malaria treatment; the discovery won the 2015 Nobel Prize in Medicine. The EMA recognises wormwood for lack of appetite and indigestion as traditional uses.
Safety: Wormwood contains thujone; high doses or long use can cause seizures and kidney damage. Avoid in pregnancy and epilepsy. Wormwood tea is no substitute for malaria treatment.
Cinchona
Grows in the Andean cloud forests. The bark is said to have been used against shivering and fever.
In the 17th century Jesuit priests brought the bark to Europe; as “Jesuit’s powder” it became the first effective malaria medicine.
Science: The quinine in its bark was the main malaria drug for centuries. Artemisinin and synthetic drugs have largely replaced it, but it is still used in some cases.
Safety: Do not use the bark or quinine on your own: it can cause ringing in the ears, hearing loss, heart rhythm problems and blood disorders (cinchonism). The amount in tonic water is very low.
Last reviewed: · Türkçe
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