The genus Artemisia consisting of about 400 species, probably is the largest and the most widely distributed genus of the Asteraceae. The essential oil obtained from Artemisia absinthium wild plant is mainly used as flavouring agent in food and beverage besides having antibacterial, antifedant, antipyretic, antiinfertility, cytostatic and antimalarial activities . The plant has been used by the Chinese to treat patients infected with Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum, resistant to quinine and its analogue.
The Artemisia absinthium 's characteristic odor can make it useful for making a plant spray against pests. In the practice of companion planting, because of the secretions of its roots, it exerts an inhibiting effect on the growth of surrounding plants, thus weeds. It can be useful to repel insect larvae but it need only be planted on the edge of the area of cultivation. It has also been used to repel fleas and moths indoors.
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