Consumption of Artemisia annua tea and Resistance to Artemisinin in Africa: Scoping Review

Background: The increasing popularity of Artemisia annua tea in Africa as an antimalarial remedy has raised concerns about its potential role in the development of artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum, which could undermine global malaria control efforts. Methods : This literature review analyzed publications sourced from PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and other databases. Studies included clinical trials, laboratory investigations, and surveillance reports focused on Artemisia annua tea consumption and resistance patterns. Results: Data indicate a significant rise in herbal tea use in malaria-endemic regions, particularly where access to standard therapies is limited. Some studies suggest a possible link between non-standardized use of Artemisia annua tea and early markers of artemisinin resistance, though direct causality remains unconfirmed and findings are inconsistent. Conclusions: The uncontrolled consumption of Artemisia annua tea could contribute to artemisinin resistance emergence in Africa, highlighting the need for regulated use, further research, and continuous surveillance to protect the effectiveness of antimalarial treatments.