Tlahui-Medic. No. 7, I/1999


Dr. Mario Rojas Alba
Founding president of the Mexican Institute for Traditional Medicine Tlahuilli A.C.

Translation by Natasha Bonilla

English common name: Mexican white sagebrush
Additional English names: Artemisia
Spanish common name: Estafiate
Additional common names
Mexico and Central America: Ajenjo del País, Ajenjo de Indias, Istafiate, Altamisa, Altamix, Chusita, Istaf
South America: Artemisa, Yerba de San Juan, Altamiza, Yerba Madre
Quebec: Armoise vulgaire
Names in other languages
Huichol: Turrú
Basque: Erle
Catalan: Altamira
Galician: Artemisia
Náhuatl: Iztauhyatl
Aymara and Quechua: Korpa makkju, Mark"u altamisa, Mark"ualtamis
Scientific name: Artemisia ludoviciana ssp mexicana
Family: Asteraceae
 
 

Botanical characteristics and habitat: It grows in the wild in almost all the states of Mexico's high central plateau, as well as in San Luís Potosí, Veracruz, Guerrero, Michoacán, Oaxaca, etc., Mexico. Herbaceous plants are 20 to 47 inches high (50 to 120cm). Leaves are ash green, aromatic, alternate, sessile, and tomentose. Flowers are disposed in panicles.

Properties: Anthelmintic, aperitive, stomachic, emmenagogue, cholagogue, antispasmodic, and antirheumatic.

Uses in traditional medicine: Artemisia ludoviciana ssp mexicana, Artemisia mexicana Willd., Artemisia mexicana var., angustifolia. Artemisia vulgaris L. is anthelmintic, aperitive, stomachic and regulates menstruation. It excites gastric juices and bile secretion. Therefore, it is useful in dyspeptic ailments accompanied by a lack of appetite, and in gastric atony. Its antispasmodic action helps alleviate pain caused by hepatic colic in gallstone cases.

In Mexico, the Huicholes drink juice made from the leaves to treat "yuriepa-cucuiniya" (abdominal pain.) The indigenous people of Quebec used the plants native to the area, Artemisia canadensis and A. ludoviciana, to prepare a stomachic and vermifuge infusion, as well as poultices used for treating burns. In Peru and Bolivia, the Aymara used to crown their heads and wrap their waists with Artemisia on "St. John's eve." That is, the Aymara's New Year, in order to guard themselves against evil spells, sickness, accidents, and, above all, bad luck.

In Europe Artemisia was used as a powerful amulet against evil spells. The flowers and the leaves were also used to make perfume against demons. In Germany it was cut on the morning of "St. John's Day" to make crowns to wear as a form of protection against evil spells. It was also harvested in Normandy on St. John's fair to destroy evil spells that prevented cows from producing milk. In France, it was harvested before St. John's holiday and used to treat epilepsy and as a form of protection against lightning and hail. It seems that the Latin name Artemisia was taken from the Moon Goddess. That's why it was probably associated with menstruation. Hence, it has been used since ancient times to regulate menstruation in women who experience a difficult and painful period. In Austria, neither the devil, nor evil spells have any effect on those who carry Artemisia. By the same token, a branch placed on house doors protects the house against evil spells. Artemisia was one of the nine plants used in the Middle Ages to repel demons and vampires.

Remedies:

  • Make an infusion or decoction with 100 grams of stems, flowers and leaves and drink half a cup two times before meals to stimulate the appetite.
  • Put 10 grams in a cup of boiled water. Drink three times a day to expel intestinal worms and to regulate menstruation.
  • Put 3 or 4 dry leaves in a glass of hot white wine, or use powdered leaves mixed with honey two to three times a day as an antispasmodic.

Constituents: From the phytochemical perspective, Mexican white sagebrush is one of the most studied plants and the following constituents have been identified: Guaianolide chrysartemine A; eudesmanolides, ludalbin, santamarin, alpha-epoxyludalbin, arglanin, douglanin, armexin; terpenes borneol, camphor, limonene, alpha and beta-phellandrene, and sesquiterpenes armefolin, 8-alpha-acetoxyarmexifolin and armexifolin; sesquiterpene lactones estafiatin, friedoolean-3-one, artemisia-ketone, tulipinolide, and the germacranolide artemorin. In general, Mexican white sagebrush contains an essential oil rich in cineole and bitter components. Leaves, roots, and seeds contain oil and santonin, nitrogenous matter, resinous substances (both are very bitter), chlorophyll, albumen, starch, cellulose, wax, tannin and salts, and a special alkaloid. Artemisia vulgaris contains essential oils, resin, tannin, mucilage, inulin. Leaves contain vitamins A1, B1, B2 and C.

There are about 350 Artemisa species in the world known by the common name "estafiate" (Mexican white sagebrush), some of which are found in Mexico. The plants are very aromatic and have a bitter taste. Artemisia klotzchiana grows in the arid region of the state of Hidalgo, Mexico, better known as the Valle del Mezquital. Artemisia klotzchiana produces strong substances that inhibit the germination of other species. These substances, also produced by Artemisia californica, are as follows: camphor, cineole, alpha-thujone. Artemisia klotzchiana's acid fraction contains carvacrol, and eugenol. Artemisia klotzchiana's neutral fraction contains: camphor, alpha-thujone, limonene, 1,8-cineole, phellandrene, and borneol. Artemisia mexicana contains camphor, beta-phellandrene, limonene, and borneol. Artemisia mexicana var., angustifolia contains eudesmanolide 165, which has been callec artimexifolin, and tulipinolide and arglanin.

Precautions and contraindications: Alleviates the pain of menstrual cramps by enhancing uterine hemorrhage. Therefore, pregnant women should not use it without medical guidance because it is a potential aborticide. Likewise, it is not recommended for newborns. A high dose may cause metabolic disorders and neurotoxicity. Consult your doctor.



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