A drug used against malaria, derived from the Qinghao plant, Artemisia annua

An antimalarial agent extracted from the dry leaves of the Chinese herb Artemsisia annua (qinghaosu or sweet wormwood). This plant is grown each year starting from seed and only yields artemesinin under specific agricultural and climatological conditions. Wormwood is cultivated only in China, Vietnam and pilot projects in Tanzania and India. It takes eight months to mature.

The WHO's recommended drug for malaria, derived from the Chinese sweet wormwood plant, Artemisia annua.