Qinghao (Artemisia annua)

Qinghao, also known as Artemisia annua or sweet wormwood, is a medicinal plant used in traditional Chinese medicine. It contains a compound called artemisinin, which is highly effective in treating malaria, a disease caused by parasites in the blood. The plant is typically dried and processed to extract artemisinin, which is then used in antimalarial drugs. Qinghao has gained global recognition for its role in reducing malaria mortality rates, and its discovery has significantly advanced infectious disease treatment. Aside from malaria, researchers are exploring its potential in treating other conditions, though its primary fame remains linked to its antimalarial properties.