In ancient China

Qinghao（Artemisia annua）

a Chinese herbal medicine

was used to treat malaria.Recently the investigators of the Academy of Traditional Chinese Me- dicine have extracted an effective ingredient

Qinghaosu

from Qinghao and proved clini- cally and in the laboratory that it is an effective antimalarial drug with rapid effect and low toxicity.21 cases of DLE were treated with two preparations of Qinghao.The honey- pills

each weighted 9 gm.were made of crude powder of Qinghao

taken orally 54 gm. daily.The other one was Qinghaosu（colorless

needle-shaped crystal）which was given orally 0

3-0.6 gm.daily.Generally the medicatin was continuously taken for a period of 2—3 months.Before and after treatment a com- parative study was made with routine blood and urine examination

liver function

erythrocyte sedimentation rate

L E cells test

ANA

RF

protein electrophoresis and biopsy of skin lesions etc. The results of treatment were as follows. 12 cases remission or near remission

6 cases improved

3 cases noneffective.No severe side effects were observed.GPT was raised in 2 patients during the treatment.On following up for 1 year

2 patients had a relapse.