[Review on study of Dao-di herbs Artemisiae Annuae Herba]

Artemisiae Annuae Herba has used as a medicine for more than 2 000 years. To infer based on the modern study results, Artemisiae Annuae Herba used for the treatment of malaria recorded in Zhou Hou Bei Ji Fang before 1 700 years should come from Artemisia annua. Based on the data of Chinese materia medica, from the field of treatment hotness and preventing attack of malaria etc., the Dao-di producing district of Artemisiae Annuae Herba should at Jingzhou (now Hubei) and surrounding areas in history. From the view of anti-malaria components artemisinin content, the Dao-di growing producing district of Artemisiae Annuae Herba should locate at Chongqing, Guangxi and its surrounding provinces. The study results showed that A. annua was harvested in flower bloom at autumn, and in this time it also had higher artemisinin content. If A. annua was stored exceed six months, artemisinin could be degraded about thirty percent. So it should be stored in a cool and dry place generally. Wild A. annua had a rich genetic diversity. Artemisinin content of A. annua breeding in experimental field could reache to two percent.