DAMONG MARIA (Artemisia

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vulagris Linn.) a. Habit of the plant; b. Flowers

DAMONG MARIA (Artemisia vulgaris Linn.), of the family Compositae, was introduced to the Philippines from Europe. It is widely distributed and found in all warm countries. It is found in areas at low and medium elevations throughout the Philippines. The most common local name of this plant is DAMONG MARIA also known as ARBAAKA in Ilocano; DAMONG-MARIA, KAMARIA in Tagalog; GILBASin Bisaya; and DIKOT-NI-INA-SANTA-MARIA in Pinatubo Negrito. The plant is called in Spanish as CINTURA DE SAN JOSE, CORDON DE SAN JOSE, and SANTA MARIA; and in English as WORMWOOD, MOTHERWORT or FELON HERB MUGWORT. It is variously designed in Chinese as AI, SHENG-AI and HSI-AI. The medicinal properties of the plant are well known to the Filipinos. The juice of the leaves is used externally to heal wounds. The leaves and flowering tops are prepared in decoction to remedy coughs. An infusion of the aromatic leaves is used to induce menstruation. It is also employed to foster abortion. The leaves are likewise used to relieve stomach pains or upsets and to give tone to the muscles. The Pinatubo Negrito employs them as a plaster on the forehead for the relief of headaches. The plant extract is applied on the forehead of young children to prevent convulsions. The leaves and flower tops are administered in nervous and spasmodic affections, asthma and certain diseases of the brain. This therapeutic woody herb is erect, hairy and foul smelling with leafy and branched stems. Its height varies from 0.5 to 0.8 meter. The leaves are 5 to 15 centimeters long and are pinnately lobed. The flower clusters are numerous. They are 3 to 4 millimeters long and ovoid. The flowers mature into minute fruits.

Hermes G. Gutierrez National Research Council of the Philippines Bicutan, Tagig, Metro Manila October 1, 1980

The plant yields a volatile oil, which consists of cineol, thujone, paraffin and aldehyde. The roots contain inulin, tannin, resin and 1% volatile oil. In the Far East, young shoots and leaves are used for flavoring festival ricecakes and dumplings and as a substitute for tobacco. Boiled, young plants are eaten in Japan. In Annam; the leaves are employed to remedy hemorrhages, nosebleed, blood vomiting and a disease characterized by the passing of blood in the urine. They are also prepared into a plaster called MOXA, which can be applied on affected areas to relive pain. The twigs are fashioned into ropes and then burned to drive away mosquitoes. In Indonesia, dandruff and other skin affections are treated by means of a poultice made from the leaves. Leaf extracts are also given to women after confinement. In Malacca, a decoction of the leaves is used to wash wounds and relieve constipation; while in Malaysia, they are employed as a drug to alleviate stomach upsets and check vomiting of blood. The Vietnamese employ the plant to regulate menstrual periods, kill intestinal worms and prevent convulsions. In Iran, Afghanistan and India, a weak decoction of the plant is given to children with measles. The leaves are dried and cut into small pieces and used as an application on wounds. In Uruguay, the plant is used to prevent moths and other insects from destroying clothes and furniture. The plant is a symbol of calamity and is frequently mentioned in the Bible. The Chinese consider the plant as slightly warm in nature, bitter to the taste, but fragrant. It is also regarded to stop bleeding, dispel gas in the stomach and quiet the fetus. The plant is recommended in China in excessive fetal activity, and post-partum abdominal cramps; hematamesis; continous spotting; irregular menstruation; cold pain in the epigastric area and skin irritations. The leaves of the plant are used medicinally as a decoction prepared by adding 3-5 chien (9.7-15.6 g) of the leaves in water. This can be taken internally or may be externally used in baths.

VICARP R & D INFORMATION SHEETS

Hermes G. Gutierrez National Research Council of the Philippines Bicutan, Tagig, Metro Manila October 1, 1980