Artemisinin (qinghaosu) is an antimalarial compound first isolated in pure form in 1972 by Chinese scientists from the herb qinghao (Artemisia annua). This herb (worm wood) has been used in Chinese traditional medicine to control fever for over 2000 years . Artemisinin is a compound with a peculiar structure, low toxicity and high efficacy even in severe chloroquine resistant P. falciparum malaria. Unlike current antimalarial drugs which have a nitrogen-containing heterocylic ring system, it is a sesquiterpene lactone with an endoperoxide linkage. The endoperoxide linkage is essential for the antimalarial activity of the drug. Artemisinin has been shown to be a potent schizontocidal drug both in vitro and in experimental animal models, but it has no practical effect against the exoerythrocytic tissue phase, the sporozoites and the 

1. Controlling of vivax malaria and falciparum malaria symptom, as well as treatment of chloroquine-resistant strain of insect.

2. With function of oxidant. artemisinin is reduced by catalase,dithiothreitol and alpha tocopherol.

3. Antibacterial, artemisinin has anti-influenza virus effect.

4. Anti-parasite, artemisinin on the role of anti schistosomiasis and leptospirosis.

1. Applied in food field, it can acts as raw materials of tea to reduce phlegm;

2. Applied in pharmaceutical field, it becomes a new anti-cancer drug with low toxic;

3. Applied in cosmetic field, it can invigorate blood circulation and remove beverage.