Common Name: Cina

General Information

Artemisia cina is a herbaceous, perennial plant growing 20 - 40cm tall, exceptionally to 70cm[].
The plant is harvested from the wild, and also cultivated, as the source of the anthelmintic drug alpha-santonin[, , ].

Known Hazards

Although we have seen no specific reports for this species, many members of this genus contain potentially allergenic sesquiterpene lactones that can cause skin reactions[].

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, western China

Habitat

Deserts[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	0.35 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Artemisia cina is a plant of arid and semi-arid areas in central Asia, where it can experience hot summers and cold winters.
Species in this genus are generally easily grown, succeeding in a well-drained circumneutral or slightly alkaline loamy soil, preferring a sunny position[, ]. They tend to be longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil[].
Established plants are drought tolerant.
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Cina is one of the safest and most reliable vermifuges, used especially on children[]. Because of its bitter flavour, it is usually mixed with liquorice or some other pleasantly flavoured herb. The unexpanded floral heads and the seed contain the vermicide 'santonin'[, , , ]. This is an effective and rapid treatment for round worms, it is also effective for thread worms, though it does not affect tapeworms[]. The plant is also used as a febrifuge and as an aid to the digestion[]. Caution is advised in the use of this plant since it is poisonous in large doses[]. This plant should not be used by pregnant women[].

The dried flowers are used to make a homeopathic remedy[]. This is particularly useful for complaints of the nervous system and the digestive tract[].

A homeopathic remedy made from the plant is used to rid children of worms[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - surface sow from late winter to early summer in a greenhouse, making sure that the compost does not dry out[]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer.
Division in spring or autumn[].
Basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest the young shoots when about 10 - 15cm long, pot up in a lightly shaded position in a greenhouse or cold frame and plant them out when well rooted. Very easy.