Common Name: Field Southernwood

General Information

Artemisia campestris is a very variable, biennial to short-lived perennial plant usually growing 30 - 80cm tall, exceptionally to 150cm. The plant produces one to many, usually unbranched stems arising from a woody caudex - growth forms can vary from mounded to spreading[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of essential oil.

Known Hazards

Many members of this genus contain contain potentially allergenic sesquiterpene lactones that can cause skin reactions. Although this species has been found to contain them, there have been no reports that it has caused dermatitis[].

Botanical References

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Range

Temperate regions throughout the northern hemisphere.

Habitat

Steppes, waste areas, rocky slopes, dune margins; at elevations from 300 - 3,100 metres in China[]. Open meadows in N. America; at elevations from sea level to 1,000 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Biennial/Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

With its wide distribution, Artemisia campestris shows great climatic tolerance. It grows successfully in the Arctic Circle; in Alpine regions; Semi-arid and Desert areas; Continental climates etc[].
Easily grown in a well-drained circumneutral or slightly alkaline loamy soil, preferring a sunny position[, ]. Succeeds in saline and calcareous soils[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
Plants are longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Related to southernwood, Artemisia abrotanum, this species has similar though milder medicinal properties[]. The leaves and young flowers are anthelmintic, antiseptic, cholagogue, deobstruent, emmenagogue, stomachic and tonic[, , ]. The main use of the plant is as an emmenagogue, it is also a good stimulant tonic and has some nervine principle[]. The leaves have been chewed in order to treat stomach problems[]. The plant was used by some native North American tribes as an abortifacient to terminate difficult pregnancies[].
Externally, the plant has been crushed and applied to rheumatic joints, eczema, bruises and sores[]. A poultice of the crushed leaves has been applied to sore eyes[].

An infusion of the roots has been used, especially on children, as a hair tonic and to treat scalp infections[]. It has been taken internally to promote urination and bowel movements[].

Other Uses

The pulverized roots are aromatic and have been used as a perfume[].
The plant yields an essential oil that is used in perfumery[].

Propagation

Seed - surface sow from late winter to early summer in a greenhouse. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
Division in spring or autumn.