[10][14] The growing period of Artemisia annua from seeding through to harvest is 190–240 days, depending on the climate and altitude of the production area.

Paired with the relatively low demand on the environment Artemisia annua can have characteristics of a neophytic plant.

[11] Nitrogen is required during early branching stages, an amount of approximately 70 kg N/ha is sufficient for the plant.

This peak artemisinin in early September was observed for Brazilian, Chinese, and Swiss clones in West Virginia.

[8][22] Artemisinin may be extracted using a low-boiling-point solvent, such as diethylether, is found in the glandular trichomes of the leaves, stems, and inflorescences, and is concentrated in the upper portions of plants within new growth.

[24] A. annua contains diverse phytochemicals, including polyphenols such as coumarins, flavones, flavonols, and phenolic acids which have unknown biological properties in vivo.

[8] Research to develop antimalarial drugs led to the discovery of artemisinin in the 1970s by the Chinese scientist Tu Youyou, who shared the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

[8] The efficacy of tea, made with either water or urine and A. annua, for the treatment of malaria is dubious, and is discouraged by the World Health Organization (WHO).

[11][28] Research has found that artemisinin is not soluble in water and the concentrations in these infusions are considered insufficient to treat malaria.

[32] A 2013 review suggested that although Artemisia annua may not cause hepatotoxicity, haematotoxicity, or hyperlipidemia, it should be used cautiously during pregnancy owing to a potential risk of embryotoxicity at a high dose.

[8] The proposed mechanism of action of artemisinin involves cleavage of endoperoxide bridges by iron, producing free radicals (hypervalent iron-oxo species, epoxides, aldehydes, and dicarbonyl compounds) which damage biological macromolecules causing oxidative stress in the cells of the malaria parasite.

[8][34] Malaria is caused by apicomplexans, primarily Plasmodium falciparum, which largely reside in red blood cells and contain iron-rich heme-groups (in the form of hemozoin).

[8][35] In 2015, artemisinin was shown to bind to a large number of cell targets, indicating its potential for diverse effects.

[36] Despite global efforts in combating malaria, it remains a large burden for the population, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions.

[37] Encouraging herbal alternatives are in the pipeline, but a more dependable solution for the eradication of malaria would be the creation of an effective vaccination.