A woody-based perennial grows with tall stems up to 2 m high, but sometimes as low as 0.6 m. The stems are thick and woody at the base, becoming thinner and softer towards the top. Many smaller side branches shoot from the main stems. The stems are ribbed with strong swollen lines that run all the way up. The soft leaves are finely divided, almost fern-like. The upper surface of the leaves is dark green whereas the undersides and the stems are covered with small white hairs, which give the shrub the characteristic overall grey colour. The individual creamy yellow flowers are small (3-4 mm in diameter), nodding and crowded at the tips of the branches.

Analgesic, analeptic, antibacterial, antihistaminic, antiinflammatory, antiitch, antiseptic, carminative, decongestant. depurative, emetic, narcotic and stimulant.

Artemisia afra Jacq. ex Willd.
Traditional Medicines

For coughs, whooping cough, influenza, diabetes, gastro-intestinal disorders, colds, fever, loss of appetite, colic, headache, earache, intestinal worms to malaria, to clear blocked nasal passages, as a steam bath for menstrual pain or after childbirth, to relieve inflammation

Use of this herb during pregnancy is not recommended.