The use of Artemisia species—particularly Artemisia annua (sweet wormwood)—to support or treat contagious diseases is primarily justified by traditional medicine practices, though there is some modern research that supports its activity against certain pathogens. Historically, Artemisia has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries to treat fevers and infectious illnesses. The most notable example is its use in the preparation of “qinghao” for malarial fevers, which eventually led to the isolation of artemisinin, a potent antimalarial compound, in the 1970s. While artemisinin and its derivatives are now cornerstone treatments for malaria (a contagious parasitic disease), the broader use of Artemisia extracts or preparations for other infectious diseases (e.g., bacterial or viral infections) is less well established from a scientific standpoint and primarily relies on traditional knowledge.

Some laboratory studies have indicated that extracts from Artemisia species may have antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, but these findings are largely preclinical and have not been widely translated into clinical recommendations for general contagious diseases outside of malaria. Therefore, while Artemisia’s use against malaria has strong scientific validation, its application for other contagious diseases is largely traditional, with moderate supporting evidence from laboratory studies but limited robust clinical evidence.