The dependence of humankind on the plant world for food, fodder, fuel, and medicinal
purposes is as old as the very existence of humans on this planet. Meanwhile, the demand for herbal
medicines is growing because they are safe, effective, economical, environmentally friendly, and
free from harmful effects. The plant world serves as a reservoir of valuable medicinal flora, and the
use of these plants for treating various diseases can be dated back to 1500 BC. For generations, one
of the most important areas of human endeavor has been researching and developing medicinal
compounds derived from plant sources.
In ancient times, knowledge of plants and their medicinal value was limited to tribal
communities, rural inhabitants, and priests. However, in the modern era, the popularity and belief in
the power of herbal medicines have become widespread. Indeed, knowledge of plant-based
medicines was identified by communities, practiced, and passed down through inheritance to
subsequent generations. In 2015, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to
Chinese scientist TuYouyou, who revitalized this field by discovering the unique antimalarial drug
artemisinin.
The genus Artemisia L. belongs to the family Asteraceae and is characterized by a large
number of herbaceous and shrubby species– around 500 in total. Most Artemisia species are
perennials, whereas annuals and biennials are relatively rare. Every continent on Earth, except
Antarctica, is home to members of the genus Artemisia. This diverse genus can be found in habitats
ranging from sea level up to elevations of about 4,000 meters. Some well-known species reportedly
possess multiple medicinal properties due to their rich phytochemical diversity.
This article presents a comparative morphological and anatomical analysis of the vegetative
organs of Artemisia vulgaris L. and A.absinthiumL., conducted using light microscopy, with the
aim of examining the most significant morpho-anatomical characteristics.