Libyan botanist Heba Al-Hanish has issued a warning about the potential extinction of wild wormwood due to what she described as “unregulated and excessive uprooting.” The alarm follows a surge in misleading claims about the plant’s ability to cure cancer, including viral videos encouraging citizens to extract it from the ground by its roots.
Al-Hanish, a specialist in medicinal and aromatic plants at the Agricultural and Livestock Research Center in Al-Bayda, emphasized that wormwood is one of the oldest herbs used in traditional Libyan medicine. While historically valued for treating various ailments, she clarified that her center does not engage in medical validation but focuses on the plant’s ecological significance and the urgent need to protect it.
She explained that wormwood is a shrubby herb with multiple therapeutic uses, but only its leaves and flowers are medically relevant. “The root has no medicinal function,” she said. “Its role is ecological—anchoring the plant and absorbing nutrients. When harvesting, only up to 20% of the leaves and flowers should be taken, leaving the root and stem intact to allow natural regeneration.”
Al-Hanish strongly condemned the growing trend of uprooting the plant, calling it “unscientific and harmful.” She drew parallels to the historical loss of silphium, a rare plant that once grew in Libya’s Green Mountain region and vanished due to poor harvesting practices and lack of environmental awareness. Today, its memory survives only through images on stamps and ancient coins.
She stressed the importance of adhering to scientific guidelines for wormwood collection, including timing the harvest for late summer after the flowers dry, using clean and sharp tools, and cutting the plant in a way that preserves its ability to regrow.
In her closing remarks, Al-Hanish issued an urgent appeal to official bodies—including government agencies, agricultural police, and municipal guards—calling for:
– An immediate halt to indiscriminate harvesting
– A ban on the large-scale sale or export of the plant
– Accountability for unlicensed traders
– Public awareness campaigns on sustainable harvesting
– Tree-planting initiatives in open areas and along roads to combat desertification and climate change
She also expressed deep gratitude to environmentally conscious citizens who have spoken out against the exploitation of wormwood, affirming that environmental protection is a shared responsibility.
