The Power of Umhlonyane (Wilde als, Wormwood, Artermesia afra)

 

What is Umhlonyane used for in Traditional Medicine?

In July 2016 I wrote about Umhlonyane in my malaria paper as this is the plant that was known worldwide to cure malara and many other medical conditions.

Since ancient times our ancestors have used this plant to heal a wide variety of symptoms including the common cold, influenza, bronchitis (all lung and respiratory conditions) fever, coughs, blood diseases, diabetes, bladder and kidney disorders, gut disorders, bacterial and viral infections, inflammation including cardiaditis, rhemautism and of course malaria.

Since my youth I have always loved this plant for its incredible silver gray foliage that one can spot a mile away when walking in the hills. Such an amazing medicine! It is also fascinating to me that this plant grows from South Africa all the way up to Ethiopia. 

Our ancestors also used this plant to rid humans and animals from parasites and worms and most gut complaints and even earache and headaches. It is without doubt one of the most widely used medicinal herbs in South Africa today.

In traditional medicine some of the common ways that I have learnt to use Umhlonyane is to insert fresh leaves directly into the nostrils to clear nasal passages and it works like a bomb! [1] (Van Wyk et al, 1997) Since 1962 scientists have known that our ancestors used to put the leaves into their socks to prevent sweaty feet! [2]

The entire plant, roots stems and leaves can be used in so many different ways and the best way to take most medicine is as a tea. But this is not your average sweet tasting tea! It is incredibly bitter and this is precisely why it works so well! But the good news is that you can add raw honey in to taste and still reap the benefits.

 Afrikaans people I have met call this plant “Wilde als” and sometimes they say “Wilde Alles” because it does help for alles! They also love brandy and today Wilde als brandy is so famous that even the late Margaret Roberts used to write about it in her books. [3]

In the July 2019 Issue of The Korean Journal of Pain, Dr Jong tells a story of a female pharmacist who won the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize for her work on this plant. Camagu Queen we respect your works since 1969! 

In this paper Dr Jong also confirms that the medicinal benefits extend far beyond colds and flu right down to cancer, chronic pain and autoimmune conditions. This plant is always standard in my herbal blood cleansing remedy. [4] 

Umhlonyana and ‘corona virus’ 

During lockdown I was struggling to find this plant in the wild because it was in such high demand to treat the symptoms of the virus and the injuries due to the vaccine. 

But I am also not saying that we think we have the cure to every disease including corona but I am saying that it is important that traditional healers and western doctors do make an effort to come together for the good of the patient. 

Imagine the improvement in public health if we can all offer the patient the best of both worlds for maximum healing. When I was younger and after I left the hospital system, as traditional healers we used to often visit the hospitals and throw our mats down and help people with herbs for many conditions like blood pressure and diabetes for instance. We used to help to take the load off of the doctors but since around 2014 they have been chasing us away for some reason. I’ve spoken to many healers about this and it seems to have happened around the country where other healers also used to sit at the hospitals. 

This is why I like to do a lot of research so that I can offer you a point of reference to do your own research as every healer should do. And I think that our patients and the public deserve to have some scientific evidence these days that is what people need but most are too tired to do it themselves.

In the scientific journal called Molecules, you will find a 2022 paper that basically explains how Umhlonyane protects human beings from corona virus and I am just copying the “Conclusion” of this paper down for easy reference [5]

“In summary, extensive in vitro and in vivo data have revealed that A. annua, artemisinin, arteannuin B, and/or its derived products “artemisinins” (dihydroartemisinin, artemether, artesunate, etc.) have a broad spectrum of biological abilities (including antiparastic, antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, anticancer, and antiasthmatic) and antiviral properties. The anti-COVID-19 effects and mechanisms of Artemisia and its constituents include, but are not limited to:

 (1) inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 invasion and replication by targeting the key proteins of spike, ACE2, spike–ACE2 interaction, TMPRSS2, and NSPS, including M^pro, PL^pro, and RdRp;

(2) regulating immune and inflammatory responses by targeting inflammatory cytokines and chemokines;

(3) protecting against ARDS (Acute Respiratory Dysfunction Syndrome) and MODS (Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome) by suppressing the crosstalk of viral toxicity, endothelial damage, and cytokine storm. Artemisinin and its derivatives are already known for their powerful bioactivity, tolerability, and relative affordability. The in vitro findings have led researchers to suggest that one or more compounds in A. annua, either not yet identified or acting in synergism, may point to a safe, low-cost therapeutic treatment for SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thus, Artemisia-based formulations may be either new, safe and cost-effective therapies or even be used as antiviral nutraceuticals in boosting immunity and providing tolerance to virus infections. However, further studies need to be undertaken to determine in vivo efficacy.”

There is a lot a science that has already been written about this herb and all of this proves that Umhlonyane has potent healing properties for a number of conditions just like Cannabis sativa L and many other herbs.

But don’t rush out there and try to over consume this plant because like all medicine you have to be careful with the dose and how you consume it, and you need to know how the plant can work with different conditions and different patients because everyone is different and some people can have side effects to herbal medicine.

My best advice is to consult with a herbalist or a Sangoma or a Rastafari traditional healer because these are the true doctors of traditional medicine and they can really help you with your overall health.

Next time you are in town look out for the herbalists and ask for it by name Umhlonyane!