Why the controversy about Artemisia as a cure for COVID? It works better than drugs
2020 June interview. Zulaikha and Sue discuss the traditional use of Artemisia Annua/Afra and some new discoveries
Traditional herbal remedies are easy to find and they work! But when it comes to the COVID pandemic they keep on telling us that they are still trying to find a cure. While people wait for a vaccine the virus keeps mutating and always will, yet a few doses of Artemisia Annua, (also known as Wormwood, Wilde Als, Lengana or Umhlonyane) have not only cured patients but also offers immunity from the dreaded virus -as well as malaria, bilharzia and many other infectious diseases. This plant can also cure cancer and be used for many other ailments, as we are about to see.
The WHO says there are currently no vaccines or medicines to prevent, treat or cure COVID-19.
Q: Sue, we have often chatted about Artemisia and how it is still one of the best cures we have for malaria. Is has also cured a number of COVID-19 patients. Do we have any scientific evidence that Artemisia cures COVID-10?
A : In April, California biotech company Mateon Therapeutics announced in a press release that tests showed artemisinin inhibited the replication of SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. A powerful body of scientific evidence, built over the last 40 years, has revealed that the components in the leaves of Artemisia annua are highly active against a broad range of human diseases, including viruses, parasites, and cancers.” https://www.artemisiaannua.org/
There is evidence to show that an effective treatment and even prevention may already exist in the form of Artemisia annua. This plant contains a range of active compounds that make it a naturally occurring, side-effect free, combination therapy. As seen in the scientific report below, Artemisia annua is effective against a range of viruses, but most importantly shows considerable activity against SARS-coronavirus.
So what is the connection between malaria and COVID?
A: Iron! Both infections attack the haemoglobin in the bloodstream to usurp the iron. When coming in contact with Iron, Artemisinin triggers the release of intracellular free radicals that destroy cells. Malaria, cancer and coronaviruses are dependent on iron, so this natural weapon is very effective. Within the complexity of its natural chemistry, Artemisia also provides enough antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds to prevent inflammation. It I also an immune modulator – to control the possibility of cytokine storms.
https://artemisiaannuatea.com/about-artemisia-annua/ About Artemisia Annua
Some forms of cancer as well as malaria parasites and now the novel COVID-19 virus, directly infect red blood cells (erythrocytes), attacking haemoglobin to release iron that is linked to porphyrin. It is assumed that the free form iron is used as energy to replicate the virus. Furthermore, this attack on haemoglobin, which we remember, is responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood causes hypoxia plus acidity, poisoning and inflammation of lungs. Images of crystallized carbon dioxide are characteristic of many lungs seriously infected with COVID-19.
Antimalarials appear to work in diverse ways for protecting haemoglobin against infection, hence their possible successful application against COVID-19. Hydroxychloroquine, a chloroquine derivative used for decades to fight malaria, has been the first case study. Various clinical studies, carried out on a small scale in France, China and the United States have shown that hydroxychloroquine could be an alternative, mainly due to its immunomodulatory effect rather than as an antiviral. However, the results of the tests to date are not yet conclusive. In addition, the severe side effects and allergic reactions of the use of hydroxychloroquine are something to consider seriously.
https://www.artennua.com/traditional-medicine-but-scientifically-proven/ TRADITIONAL MEDICINE, BUT … SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7267810/
Q: What exactly is Artemisia Annua. Is it the same as Artemisia Afra?
A: Artemisia Annua is a herb that was first introduced in traditional Chinese medicine 1000 years ago. They used it to strengthen the immune system and help your body fight against pathogens as well as chronic diseases. Artemisia Afra is similar and is found – obviously in Africa. Artemisia Absanth is not the same, do not use it as a treatment.
Q: We hear about Artemisinin, is this the same thing?
A: No, definitely not. It is only a single extract from the plant, leaving all the other valuable chemicals out of the equation. Plants work in synergy, so the idea that a single component would cure malaria, for instance is remote and that is why Artemisinin failed whereas tea and tablets from the whole plant continue to cure malaria and now, as we are seeing more and more – the coronaviruses. There is plenty of evidence that SARS was successfully treated with Artemisia Annua and trials are underway for testing it for CoVID-19. Although the Artemisia tea is being used, people remain suspicious, despite the scientific evidence that is now coming to the fore.
Artemisia annua is a plant that is very cheap and available almost everywhere. This is why people will tend to use the whole plant more than the extract Artemisinin. it seems that most of the positive anecdotal reports are coming from the use of the whole plant as opposed to Artemisinin. And this is probably better since the whole plant contains more anticancer substances such as Scopoletin, known for its cytotoxicity towards cancer cells.
Q: How do we take Artemisia Annua. It is very bitter, so do you have any suggestions?
A: The plant is harvested and dried with its stem and leaves and flowers. Direct consumption of Artemisia Annua as a tea infusion or by oral consumption of the leaves is most recommended because its high success rate when the components are released in boiling water and ingested. Other intake alternatives are the alcoholic tincture or best of all – in capsules you can just swallow. Most people find it very bitter, but children throughout the malaria infested regions of Africa drink a cup of cold tea every day. If you have ever had malaria, you would too. The bitterness is excellent to control high blood sugar and some diabetics have found it doubles up as a medication for diabetes.
Q: So what exactly do people use Artemisia Annua for?
A: It is a complex herb, containing phytochemicals that destroy pathogens, but it also helps to boost – as well as mediate immune responses and also to treat inflammation. It has a good track record for treating respiratory infections, from colds and flu (coronaviruses, adenoviruses) to drug resistant strains of bacteria that attack the lungs.
Fever Malaria Bacterial infections Viral infections Fungal infections Parasitic diseases ( worm, flukes, protozoa) Diabetes Inflammatory conditions Various skin conditions as psoriasis Cancer- tumour growth Lung diseases Chronic bladder infection Prostrate inflammation related disorders Chron’s disease Arthritis, Joint pain Autoimmune disorders.
Scientific trials show that artemisinin-derived compounds have been shown to exhibit antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, anti-allergic, anti-fibrotic, anti-arrhythmic, immune regulatory and contraceptive actions, and the agents were found to be active for autoimmune diseases.
Artemisinin can be very effective because it selectively affects tumour cells without harming normal cells. This is because Artemisinin affects only cells that contain excessive amounts of iron which is the case for cancer cells. Indeed, via specific receptors cancer cells are demanding and depositing large amounts of Iron as they need it for cellular division.
https://www.cancertreatmentsresearch.com/artemisia-annua-its-extract-artemisinin/ Artemisia Annua, Artemisinin & 2015 Nobel Prize in Medicine – A Cancer Fighting Plant
Q: We have heard about Madagascar giving out COVID – organics, a tea. Are there other stories?
A: yes, Africans are very familiar with Artemisia Annua and the Afra variant because they have been using it for malaria for many years. In the Cameroons, on May 19, 2020 President Paul Biya encouraged the use of homemade treatments for CoVID-19 such as the local herbal combination of artemisia, pineapple, ginger and so on. Though not yet official, this Coronavirus remedy is the second announced in Africa, after that of Madagascar’s “Covid Organics” medicine confirmed by President Andry Rajoelina as efficient in treating the pandemic, a cure the World Health Organization has however remained sceptical about.
Q: Is there any anecdotal feedback regarding Artemisia Annua when used for treating other ailments?
A: Yes, there are some wonderful testimonials on the Anamed website. This institution has been teaching the people of Africa how to grow and use Artemisia for half a century – to good effect, to treat malaria. However, the people using it have reported a number of benefits over the years. There are lots of reports of cures for not only malaria, but also for diabetes, asthma, arthritis, digestive disorders, cancer and a long list of other chronic ailments, not related to infectious diseases. Here are some examples:
Uganda. The late Monik Adriaens conducted a very interesting study on a tea estate. 100 workers drank half a litre of full strength Artemisia tea once a week. 100 workers did not. Of those who did, none got malaria. Of those who did not drink the tea, the normal number got malaria. Following this, a group living in a swampy area that had repeated malaria attacks started to drink tea in this way and found that they became completely protected from malaria.
Ethiopia. Nearly 100 percent of those we have treated with Artemisia tea, both as an inhalation and by drinking the tea, have found complete relief from their asthma symptoms. We are amazed at this and wonder why it has never been discovered before. (I say nearly 100% because one patient had a severe allergic reaction and had to stop taking the treatment.)
Bilharzia. Uganda. The incidence of bilharzia has reduced since malaria has been treated with Artemisia tea. An English missionary had malaria, and treated it with Artemisia tea. When he returned to England on leave, for the first time he had no bilharzia in his blood.
Congo. Adi hospital treated more than 30 bilharzia patients (confirmed in the hospital lab) with Artemisia tea with complete success.
South Africa. Not only does the tea prevent malaria, at the same time it prevents colds, flu and sinusitis.
Diabetes. A development worker had diabetes and used to inject himself four times a day. Since he has drunk a cup of Artemisia tea every day and taken three moringa capsules he has not needed to inject himself at all. His insulin levels have completely stabilized.
https://anamed.org/en/artemisia-annua-anamed.html Feedback Regarding The Use of Artemisia annua With a Wide Range of Health Problems