Wise Mind Herbs

The information on this page has been prepared with reference to published scientific literature, not by a medically qualified expert. It is not medical advice. Any decision to use a supplement or herb-based product is your responsibility. Consult a suitably qualified medical professional, especially if you have underlying conditions. Remember, nothing is for everyone, and not everything sold is what it claims to be. Some things work for some people, some of the time.

Mugwort - Artemisia vulgaris

Mugwort primarily refers to species within the genus Artemisia, with Artemisia vulgaris being the most common species referenced in scientific literature. Other common names include felon herb, St. John's plant, chrysanthemum weed, wild wormwood, and sailor's tobacco. Related species that share the common name "mugwort" include Artemisia argyi (Chinese mugwort), Artemisia princeps (Korean mugwort), and Artemisia annua (sweet wormwood/qinghao). Important to note that Artemisia absinthium (common wormwood) is a distinct species often confused with mugwort but possesses different chemical profiles and therapeutic properties.

Image source and license: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Artemisia_vulgaris_(Bijvoet)_-_Noordwijk,_South_Holland,_NL_v3.jpg.
Modified by Peter Jorgensen.

Scientifically Supported Health Benefits

Modern scientific research has investigated various therapeutic properties of mugwort, though the evidence quality varies considerably across different applications. The strongest evidence exists for the following applications:

• Anti-inflammatory effects: Multiple studies demonstrate significant anti-inflammatory activity, particularly in arthritis models and inflammatory bowel conditions
• Antimicrobial properties: Effective against certain bacteria (including some antibiotic-resistant strains) and fungi in vitro
• Antioxidant activity: Contains flavonoids, phenolic compounds and essential oils with demonstrated free radical scavenging properties
• Digestive benefits: Demonstrated effects on improving gastric motility and relieving digestive discomfort
• Neurological effects: Some evidence for neuroprotective properties and potential applications in addressing anxiety and insomnia

Conditions with Moderate to Strong Evidence

The following conditions have moderate to strong evidence supporting mugwort's therapeutic potential, based on controlled studies:

• Digestive disorders: Particularly irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia
• Menstrual irregularities: Studies show efficacy in regulating menstrual cycles and reducing dysmenorrhea
• Anxiety and mild depression: Several trials show modest anxiolytic effects
• Allergic rhinitis: Some evidence for symptom reduction, though results are mixed
• Epilepsy: Limited but promising evidence for anticonvulsant properties

Claims with Insufficient Evidence

Despite traditional use, scientific evidence is currently insufficient for mugwort's effectiveness in treating:

• Cancer: Despite some promising in vitro studies, clinical evidence is lacking
• Diabetes: Animal studies show potential but human trials are limited
• Malaria: While Artemisia annua (a related species) contains artemisinin used in malaria treatment, A. vulgaris has not demonstrated comparable efficacy
• Weight loss: Limited evidence despite traditional claims
• Immune enhancement: Preliminary data only

Active Compounds

The therapeutic properties of mugwort are attributed to several bioactive compounds:

• Essential oils: Primarily 1,8-cineole, camphor, thujone, and borneol
• Flavonoids: Including quercetin, luteolin, and kaempferol
• Sesquiterpene lactones: Including vulgarin and psilostachyin
• Coumarins: Several types with varied bioactivity
• Polysaccharides: Contributing to immunomodulatory effects

Recommended Dosages

Standardization remains a significant challenge in mugwort research, with considerable variation in recommended dosages across studies. Based on the available literature, the following guidelines represent the most commonly researched effective ranges:

• Dried herb (tea): 1-2g, three times daily (standardized to contain 0.1-0.5% essential oils)
• Tincture (1:5 in 45% alcohol): 2-4mL, three times daily
• Fluid extract (1:1): 0.5-1mL, three times daily
• Essential oil: Not recommended for internal use due to thujone content
• Standardized extract (5:1): 300-600mg daily, standardized to contain at least 1.5% flavonoids

Most clinical studies have utilized extracts standardized to either total flavonoid content (1.5-3%) or essential oil content (0.3-0.8%), suggesting these may be the most relevant markers for quality control and dosage determination.

Efficacy at Higher Doses

Few studies have systematically investigated doses above the ranges mentioned above. The limited available data suggest:

• No consistent evidence of increased therapeutic benefit at higher doses
• Significantly increased risk of side effects, particularly with higher thujone content
• A major knowledge gap exists regarding dose-response relationships for specific indications

Side Effects and Contraindications

Mugwort demonstrates a generally acceptable safety profile at recommended doses but can cause:

• Allergic reactions: Particularly in individuals with cross-reactivity to plants in the Asteraceae family (ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds)
• Gastrointestinal disturbances: Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, especially at higher doses
• CNS effects: Headache, dizziness, and nervousness (attributed to thujone content)
• Uterine stimulation: Potential to cause uterine contractions, contraindicated in pregnancy
• Herb-drug interactions: May affect cytochrome P450 enzymes, potentially interacting with numerous medications

Thujone, a constituent of mugwort essential oil, is known to be neurotoxic at high doses and has been associated with seizures and central nervous system toxicity. This compound is regulated in food and beverages in many countries.

Absolute Contraindications

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Due to documented emmenagogue and abortifacient effects
• Patients with epilepsy: Due to potential proconvulsant effects of thujone
• Known allergy to plants in the Asteraceae family
• Patients taking anticoagulant medications: Due to potential interaction with coumarin compounds

Commercial Pharmaceutical Products

Few standardized pharmaceutical products containing mugwort are available globally. The most notable include:

• Artecin®: Contains standardized extract of Artemisia argyi, indicated for gut health
• Artemix Artemisinin Complex: An Artemisia-derived sesquiterpene lactone that has a unique peroxide bridge in its structure, claimed to enhance cell functioning, modulate the immune system, and support digestive health.

It's worth noting that most mugwort products on the market are classified as dietary supplements or traditional herbal medicines rather than pharmaceuticals, reflecting the current regulatory status and evidence base.

Research Gaps and Future Directions

Despite its long history of traditional use, mugwort research faces several significant limitations:

• Standardization issues: Considerable variation in chemical composition based on harvest location, time, and extraction methods
• Limited high-quality clinical trials: Many studies have methodological limitations
• Incomplete understanding of mechanisms of action: Particularly regarding interaction between multiple bioactive compounds
• Safety monitoring gaps: Systematic assessment of long-term safety is lacking
• Drug interaction potential: Not fully characterized despite known effects on metabolism

References

Kim, W. S., Choi, W. J., Lee, S., Kirn, W. J., Lee, D. C., Sohn, U. D., ... & Kim, W. (2015). Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of artemisinin extracts from Artemisia annua L. Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology, 19(1), 21-27.

Lee, S. J., Chung, H. Y., Lee, I. K., & Yoo, I. D. (1999). Isolation and identification of flavonoids from ethanol extracts of Artemisia vulgaris and their antioxidant activity. Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology, 31(3), 815-822.

Sailike, B., Omarova, Z., Jenis, J., Adilbayev, A., Akbay, B., Askarova, S., ... & Tokay, T. (2022). Neuroprotective and anti-epileptic potentials of genus Artemisia L. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13, 1021501.

Sharifi-Rad, J., Herrera-Bravo, J., Semwal, P., Painuli, S., Badoni, H., Ezzat, S. M., ... & Cho, W. C. (2022). Artemisia spp.: an update on its chemical composition, pharmacological and toxicological profiles. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2022(1), 5628601.

Singh, N. B., Devi, M. L., Biona, T., Sharma, N., Das, S., Chakravorty, J., ... & Rajashekar, Y. (2023). Phytochemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oil from the Leaves of Artemisia vulgaris L. Molecules, 28(5), 2279.

Siwan, D., Nandave, D., & Nandave, M. (2022). Artemisia vulgaris Linn: An updated review on its multiple biological activities. Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 8(1), 47.

Trinh, P. T. N., Truc, N. C., Danh, T. T., Trang, N. T. T., Le Hang, D. T., Vi, L. N. T., ... & Dung, L. T. (2024). A study on the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity of the Artemisia vulgaris L. extract and its fractions. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 334, 118519.

Wang, Y., Chen, P., Tang, C., Wang, Y., Li, Y. and Zhang, H., 2014. Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of extract and two isolated flavonoids of Carthamus tinctorius L. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 151(2), pp.944-950.