Mugwort - Artemisia vulgaris

Mugwort is a tall perennial plant that has naturalized over much of North America and is considered invasive in many areas. It is sweet smelling and makes a fragrant tea. It has long been used as a medicinal herb. It is traditionally used for digestive problems, irregular menstruation, high blood pressure, sedative, laxative, and liver tonic. It is used as a relaxing bedtime tea that promotes sleep.

Various studies have shown that it possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, antioxidant, anti-tumoral, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, anti-malarial, antispasmodic and antiseptic properties. The active secondary metabolites are flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactones, coumarins, alkaloids, acetylenes, phenolic acids, organic acids, mono- and sesquiterpenes.¹Mugwort is antibacterial against the C and D serotypes of Streptococcus mutans.² It is the alkaloids that give it the mild sedative properties and the essential oils that give it the sweet herbal fragrance.

Research has shown that mugwort is antifungal against Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger. The essential oil exhibits inhibitory activity against Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus. You can find many studies by using Google Scholar to search.

Suggested dosing: Tincture 2-4 ml 2x day. 1 ml is about 30 drops.

Possible Side Effects: Allergy, vivid dreams.

Contraindications: Pregnancy and breastfeeding.

¹ Abiri R, Silva ALM, de Mesquita LSS, de Mesquita JWC, Atabaki N, de Almeida EB Jr, Shaharuddin NA, Malik S. Towards a better understanding of Artemisia vulgaris: Botany, phytochemistry, pharmacological and biotechnological potential. Food Res Int. 2018 Jul;109:403-415. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2018.03.072. Epub 2018 Mar 29. PMID: 29803465.

² Ekiert, Halina, Joanna Pajor, Paweł Klin, Agnieszka Rzepiela, Halina Ślesak, and Agnieszka Szopa. 2020. "Significance of Artemisia Vulgaris L. (Common Mugwort) in the History of Medicine and Its Possible Contemporary Applications Substantiated by Phytochemical and Pharmacological Studies" Molecules 25, no. 19: 4415. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules2519441

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose or treat any disease. I am not a medical professional and cannot diagnose or treat any medical conditions.