Artemisia cina
| Artemisia cina | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Asterales |
| Family: | Asteraceae |
| Genus: | Artemisia |
| Species: | A. cina |
| Binomial name | |
| Artemisia cina Berg | |
Artemisia cina, commonly known as santonica (zahr el shieh el -khorasani), Levant wormseed, and wormseed, is an herbaceous perennial of the daisy family. Its dried flowerheads are the source of the vermifugic drug santonin since ancient times.[1] Its common names arise from its known ability to expel worms. The powder is grayish-green in colour with an aromatic odour and a bitter taste.
The plant is characterised by its spherical pollen grains, which are typical in the Asteraceae family, a fibrous layer on anthers, lignified, elongated, hypodermal sclerids, and clusters of calcium oxalate crystals.
It is native to China, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.[2]
Biochemistry
In addition to santonin, the above-ground parts of the plant contain betaine, choline, tannins, pigments, and an essential oil. The essential oil is largely composed of 1,8-cineole, but contains a wide variety of other compounds as well.[3]
References
- ↑ Grieve, Maud. A Modern Herbal (Volume 2, I-Z and Indexes). Dover Publications. ISBN 978-0-486-22799-3.
- ↑ "Artemisia cina O. Berg", GRIN Taxonomy for Plants
- ↑ Zh. K. Asanova1, E. M. Suleimenov, G. A. Atazhanova1, A. D. Dembitskii1, R. N. Pak, A. Dar and S. M. Adekenov (January 2003), "Biological Activity of 1,8-Cineole from Levant Wormwood", Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal 37 (1): 28–30, doi:10.1023/A:1023699012354, ISSN 1573-9031
See also
- Dysphania ambrosioides another plant with the common name wormseed, called epazote in Mexican cuisine.