Names
Tajik: Пуши бӯгин (гандапушак, пушак)
Latin: Artemisia persica Boiss.
Russian: Полынь персидская
Ishkashimi: Апатор, зардпуш, дрым
Wakhi: Рвид
Shughni-Rushani: Бӯйгинцудъм, сидахци пухътаи
Yazgulami: Цудмиби
English: Persian Wormwood
Description
Persian wormwood is a perennial wild-growing semi-shrub belonging to the daisy family (Compositae).
The plant reaches 20–70 cm in height and has a brownish-green stem.
The stem is upright, ribbed, and leafless.
The upper leaves are pinnate and egg-shaped and are brownish-green on both sides.
The flower heads are hemispherical, 3–5 mm wide, and are attached to the stem on short stalks.
The seeds are elongated and yellowish-brown in colour.
The root is thick and woody.
Persian wormwood flowers in June–August, and its seeds ripen in August–October.
It grows in all districts of Badakhshan except Murghab, at elevations of 1,800–4,500 metres above sea level.
Parts used
The above-ground parts of the plant are used for medicinal purposes.
During the flowering period, the upper shoots are cut with scissors or a sickle and dried in attics, corridors, outdoors, or in the shade.
The dried material is stored in paper boxes or special bags for up to 2 years.
Chemical composition
The leaves and flower heads of Persian wormwood contain:
- essential oils — 0.21–0.4%;
- camphene — 12–14%;
- pinel — 7–12%;
- orneol — 18%;
- bornyl capronate — 25.5%;
- camphor — 16%;
- phenol — 1.5%.
In addition, alkaloids, flavonoids, and coumarins have also been found.
(Khojimatov M. 1989).
Medicinal properties
Persian wormwood is attributed the following properties:
- calming effect on the nervous system;
- fever-reducing;
- diuretic;
- anthelmintic;
- anti-inflammatory.
Use in medicine
In Indian folk medicine, Persian wormwood is used as a strengthening, fever-reducing, and anthelmintic remedy.
In Tajik folk medicine, its infusion and powder are used for:
- inflammatory diseases;
- shortness of breath;
- a feeling of tightness in the chest.
The plant is also used as an anthelmintic and diuretic remedy.
(Khojimatov M. 1989; Navruzshoev D. et al. 1998).
Medicinal forms, method of use, and dosage
Persian wormwood infusion
10 g, or one dessert spoon of the material, are placed in an enamelled container and covered with 200 ml, or one glass, of boiling water.
The mixture is infused for 30 minutes.
It is then strained through 2–3 layers of gauze.
It is taken in an amount of half a glass 3 times a day before meals.
Warning
Information about medicinal properties, methods of use, and dosages on this page comes from the source text and partly belongs to folk and traditional medicine.
The information is provided for educational and informational purposes and should not be used as a guide to self-treatment.