Artemisinin, a sesquiterpene lactone originally extracted from the medicinal plant Artemisia annua L., is an effective antimalarial agent, particularly for multi-drug resistant and cerebral malaria. However, the concentration of artemisinin in the plant is very low. Because the chemical synthesis of artemisinin is complicated and not economically feasible in view of the poor yield of the drug, the intact plant remains the only viable source of artemisinin production. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the concentration of artemisinin in A. annua to reduce the cost of artemisinin based antimalarial drugs. Plant scientists have focused their efforts on A. annua for a higher artemisinin crop yield. With the present volume, we are bringing together the research which is being done on this plant throughout the world and future possibilities for scientists and researchers who want to work on it.

How a herbal drug application interrelates with its therapeutic effects: reflections on qinghaö¿ (Artemisia annua, L.) in the Chinese materia medica.- Ethno-pharmacology of Artemisia annua: A review.- Artemisia annua: a miraculous herb to cure malaria.- The whole-plant approach to therapeutic use of Artemisia annua L. (Asteraceae).- Pharmacological potentials of artemisinin and related sesquiterpene lactones: recent advances and trends.- Taxonomic implications of Artemisia annua L. (Asteraceae).- Trichomes in  Artemisia annua: initiation, development, maturation and the possibility to influence these factors.- Potential methods to improve the efficiency of artemisinin extraction from Artemisia annua.- Extraction, purification and quantification of artemisinin and its analogs from Artemisia annua L.- Effect of mineral nutrition, growth regulators and environmental stresses on biomass production and artemisinin concentration of Artemisia annua.- Recent Advances to Enhance Yield of Artemisinin - A Novel Antimalarial Compound, in Artemisia annua L. Plants.- Artemisinin in cancer therapy.- Recent Developments in Controlling Insect, Acari, Nematode and Plant Pathogens of Agricultural and Medical Importance by Artemisia annua L. (Asteraceae).- Reverse pharmacology and drug discovery: Artemisia annua and its anti-HIV activity.