Artesunate is a medication derived from artemisinin, a compound extracted from the sweet wormwood plant, Artemisia annua. It is primarily used to treat severe cases of malaria, particularly those caused by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite. Artesunate works by disrupting the parasite's ability to process hemoglobin, leading to its death. This drug is often administered intravenously in hospital settings for rapid action against malaria. Artesunate is part of the World Health Organization's list of essential medicines, highlighting its importance in global health efforts to combat malaria, especially in regions where the disease is endemic.