Mugwort - Health Benefits and Side Effects

Botanical Name of Mugwort: Artemisia vulgaris - Its name is derived from the Old English word muggiawort, which means ‘midge plant’.

Other Common Names:
Common wormwood, felon herb, wild wormwood, naughty man, chrysanthemum weed, old uncle Henry, cingulum Sancti Johannis, common artemisia, sailor's tobacco, Chinese moxa, old man and St. John's plant - NB: It should not be confused with St. John's wort.

Habitat:
Mugwort is native to Europe, Africa and temperate Asia and is today widely naturalized in most parts of the world. It usually grows best in loamy soils that are nitrogenous and slightly alkaline. It prefers sunny places and it can easily be found along roadsides, weedy and waste areas.

Plant Description:
Mugwort is a tall shrub like perennial plant of the sunflower family. It has purple angular stems and can grow up to 5 feet tall. The leaves are dark green on top and have smooth texture, the underside is covered with dense white tomentose hairs. The flowers are small and yellow with a hint of green. This plant blooms from July to October.

Plant Parts Used:
Aerial parts, root.

The Mugwort Plant (Artemisia vulgaris)
(Click on image to enlarge)
Attribution: Christian Fischer

Mugwort Supplements

Organic Mugwort Herb by Starwest Botanicals Mugwort Moon Magic by Flower Essence Services

Therapeutic Uses, Benefits and Claims of Mugwort

• Mugwort contains the constituents volatile oil, flavonoids, a sesquiterpene lactone, coumarin derivatives, and triterpenes.

The Herb Mugwort
(Artemisia vulgaris )
Kohler's Medicinal Plants - 1887
• Mugwort is most commonly used to treat disorders of the digestive tract and aid in all digestive functions and has been said to have properties which are antifungal, antibacterial, expectorant, and antiasthmatic. It is considered to be good herb for gastric disorder, stomach pain and bowel complains. It has been used for poor appetite, indigestion, travel sickness and stomach acidity.
• Mugwort is thought to be effective in treating a wide range of parasitic infections, such as tapeworm, roundworm, and threadworm. It is also considered effective against parasites that infect the skin like ringworm.
• Traditionally mugwort has been use to stimulate irregular or suppressed menstruation. It is believed that it stimulates the uterus and that it is useful for menstrual pain and cramps. Furthermore it has been used to induce miscarriage probably due to the herbs ability to interfere with menstruation.
• Additionally mugwort has been used as a folk and herbal remedy for various ailments including colds, epilepsy, colic, fevers, asthma, bronchitis, sciatica, kidney problems and there is some scientific indication that it can lower blood sugar levels.
• Mugwort has also been used as an herbal remedy for nervousness, exhaustion, gout, bruises, chilblain and depression especially when it is associated with loss of appetite . This herb is said have mild narcotic and sedative properties which explain its uses to promote sleep in cases of insomnia. Because of its diuretic properties it is thought to have medicinal benefits for the liver, spleen, and kidney. It is also considered an excellent insect repellant.
• This herb has mild purgative abilities and might therefore be helpful for constipation.
• In folklore it is mostly famous for being considered a “dream” herb, enhancing remembrance of dreams, both during sleep and in trances, and precognitive dreaming or dreaming of future events.

Dosage and Administration:

There is no established, proven safe or effective dose for mugwort. Traditionally it is mainly used as tea. 2 cups of mugwort tea using fresh leafs infused for 5-10 minutes in boiling water daily for six days has been recommended by herbalists. As a commercial supplement one to two capsules, two times daily with water is considered standard dosages. But the manufactures instructions should always be followed.

Potential Side Effects of Mugwort

Due to the fact that the preparation instructions and dosage amounts of mugwort have not been clearly defined it should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Mugwort contains a chemical called thujone, which is responsible for the medicinal properties of the plant. In large dosage thujone can be toxic so caution is advised.

It can cause miscarriages because it stimulates menstruation and should be avoided during pregnancy. Individuals that have sensitivity to mugwort pollen should avoid using it. Mugwort should not been used as a medicinal herb unless under the care and supervision of a licensed and qualified healthcare professional.

Leave a Comment or Tips on Mugwort

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Name: islandfun
E-mail: Private
Date posted: August 15, 2011 - 11:04 pm
Message: My uncle and I rolled a mugwort joint and smoked it out on his roof, I instantly felt happier and slightly more clumsy. We went inside and we both fell asleep extremly fast, I remember the dreams perfectly in vivid detail. It's an amazing experience.

Name: Miss Lovejoy
E-mail: Private
Date posted: July 16, 2011 - 07:15 am
Message: I was advised to drink mugwort tea to help rid me of a parasitic infestation. But after having it just twice I had to stop because it made me feel stoned and very, very hungry.

Name: Cheza
E-mail: Private
Date posted: June 28, 2011 - 02:19 am
Message: Mugwort has helped me in more ways than what the doctor was able to. I had server menstrual bleeding, cramping from my stomach down to my legs, Did not sleep and felt sore in my belly and did not even want to eat. Since I've been taking 1-2 drops of the pure extract every night, I've stopped bleeding, the cramps have stopped, and I've been sleeping alot better and have my appetite back! HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS HERB!

Name: cait
E-mail: Private
Date posted: January 10, 2012 - 04:52 am
Message: Mugwort is fantastic to help with my menstral cramps. I drink two cups as soon as the pain starts and it is the most effective thing I have tried so far. Start with just one cup at a time as it can make you feel tired.

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