Mugwort
Botanical Name: Artemisia vulgaris
The plant is named after the ancient Greek goddess Artemis, a goddess of virginity, animals, hunting, and childbirth. The species name vulgaris means common.
Its English common name derives 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), armoise vulgaire (French), Ai Ye (Chinese), Beifuss (German), artemisia vulgar (Spanish), gråbynke (Danish).
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 nitrogen-rich 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 a smooth texture, the underside is covered with dense white-tomentose (plant hairs that are flattened and matted) hairs.
The flowers are small and reddish-brown or yellow with a hint of green. This plant blooms from July to October.
Plant Parts Used: Both the aerial parts and the root of mugwort has been used in medicine. The most common, both in Western and Chinese herbal medicine, is to use the leaves.
Mugwort is most commonly used to treat disorders of the digestive tract and aid in all digestive functions and is said to have properties that are anti-fungal, antibacterial, expectorative and antiasthmatic.
It is considered a good herb for a gastric disorder, stomach pain, and bowel complaints. It is 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 thread-worm.
It is also considered effective against fungal infections like ringworms that infect the skin.
Traditionally, this herb is used to stimulate irregular or suppressed menstruation. Some believe it stimulates the uterus and it is useful for menstrual pain and cramps.
Furthermore, it has been used to induce miscarriage probably due to the herb’s ability to interfere with menstruation. Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) – Illustration
Additionally, mugwort is used as a folk and herbal remedy for various ailments including colds, epilepsy, colic, fevers, asthma, bronchitis, sciatica and kidney problems and there is some scientific indication it can lower blood sugar levels.
Precautions
Specific: Not for use in pregnancy except under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner.
General: We recommend that you consult with a
qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products,
particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
