Damong-maria is an erect perennial herb, hairy, aromatic, rank smelling, often
half-woody, growing to a height of 1 meter or less. Stems are leafy and
branched. Leaves are pinnately lobed, 5 to 14 centimeters long, hairy, gray beneath, with nearly smooth above. Flowering heads are numerous, ovoid, 3 to 4 millimeters long, occurring in large numbers in spikelike, ascending, and branched inflorescences. Fruit, an achene, is minute.
Benefits of Damong Maria
This herb is usually known as “Motherwort” or “ Maiden wort” in English. It comes with the scientific name Atemesia vulgaris. It typically occurs in all warm countries including Philippines, from Batan Island and northern Luzon to Mindanao. Damong Maria is often found in and about towns at low and medium altitudes. It is frequently planted and established around the houses and garden and open places. Furthermore, this plant is also beneficial to our health. In fact, study of crude extract yielded alkaloids, cournarins, flavonoids, saponins, sterols, tannins, and terpenes. This plant is considered effective as antimicrobial, anticonvulsant, hepatoprotective, and antioxidant. However, though it has a lot of herbal properties this plant should not be used by pregnant women.