Phytochemical treasure troves—insights into bioactivities, phytochemistry, and uses of Artemisia species

Abstract Artemisia herba-alba and Artemisia judaica are two pharmacologically important species of the Artemisia genus, which are characterized by their varied phytochemical composition and a wide range of bioactivities. Traditionally, these species are well known in ethnomedicine and have aroused interest for applications in modern pharmacology, sustainable agriculture, and environmental management. Varieties of therapeutic properties, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and pesticidal properties, have been associated with phytochemicals such as flavonoids, terpenoids, essential oils, and phenolic acids. These genera not only fight great health disorders such as neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, or diabetes, but they also can contribute with green alternatives for agriculture (biopesticides and herbicide solutions), addressing a global market with high demand for sustainability. Advances in extraction and characterization methodologies with insights from genomics and metabolomics have increased the knowledge base of their bioactive profiles, and their potential has been expanded to other areas such as antiviral applications and phytoremediation but requires further validation. However, the effects of standardization, manufacturing scalability, and regulatory frameworks have not yet been fully recognized or handled, requiring further multidisciplinary research and innovation to address these challenges. In this review, we emphasize the distinctive value of A. herba-alba and A. judaica as natural resources against a series of current health, agricultural, and environmental issues and highlight their bioactivities and potential applications, including proposals for future applications.