Artemisia anomala

Botanical

What is it

Artemisia anomala (Liu Ji Nu) is a perennial herb in the Asteraceae family native to East Asia. The aerial parts are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for circulation, wound healing, and digestive complaints.

Evidence for 1 use

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Wound healing or circulation (traditional)

Mixed Evidence

Used in TCM for circulation and traumatic injury support. No controlled clinical evidence supports specific benefits.

How it works

The plant contains sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids, and essential oils. Laboratory studies suggest possible effects on platelet aggregation, smooth muscle, and inflammation. In TCM, Liu Ji Nu is described as activating blood circulation and dispersing stagnation. Note that Artemisia anomala is a different species from Artemisia annua (sweet wormwood, the source of artemisinin) and from Artemisia absinthium (wormwood). Modern controlled human evidence specifically on A. anomala is limited.

Dosage

Traditional TCM doses are 6-15 g of dried aerial parts per day in decoction. Modern extracts vary; no consensus modern dose has been published.

When and how to take it

TCM decoctions are typically taken twice daily. Modern extracts may suggest with-meal dosing.

1 commercial form

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Dried aerial parts (Liu Ji Nu)

Used in TCM decoctions.

Traditional preparation; constituent content variable.

Safety

Reported side effects from traditional dosing are mild and infrequent. Sesquiterpene lactones can cause contact dermatitis in Asteraceae-sensitive people. Long-term safety of concentrated extracts has not been formally studied.

Who should be cautious

Avoid during pregnancy due to traditional warnings (the plant is described as moving blood). People with Asteraceae plant allergies (ragweed, chamomile, daisies) may react. Use cautiously with anticoagulants.

Interactions

Theoretical effects on platelet aggregation suggest possible interactions with anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs. Specific clinical interaction data are sparse.

Frequently asked questions

Is Liu Ji Nu the same as wormwood?⌄

No. Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) and sweet wormwood (A. annua) are different species. A. anomala has its own traditional uses and chemistry.

Will it interfere with blood thinners?⌄

Possibly. Effects on platelet aggregation are reported in preclinical studies, so people on anticoagulants should avoid concurrent use without medical supervision.

References

Artemisia anomala on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Artemisia anomala on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Artemisia anomala (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.