Plant Family: Artemisia
| Use / Ailment | Part Used | How to Prepare and Dose | How It Works (Mechanism) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sluggish digestion, bloating, post meal heaviness | Dried leaf and stem | Infuse 1 tsp in 250 mL hot water for 10 min; drink before meals, once or twice daily | Bitters and aromatics stimulate bile and gastric juices; carminative effect eases stagnation | [1] |
| Irregular menstruation, PMS cramps | Leaf infusion; traditional moxibustion practice | Tea as above for 3 to 5 days pre menses; moxibustion only with trained practitioner | Emmenagogue; increases pelvic circulation and uterine tone | [2] |
| Breech presentation support via moxibustion | Dried mugwort sticks (moxa) | Applied near acupuncture points by trained provider between weeks 33 and 36 | Thermal stimulation may increase fetal activity and uterine relaxation patterns | [3], [4] |
| Intestinal worms, parasites | Whole plant infusion or tincture | Tea or tincture daily for 7 days; repeat after 1 week if needed | Sesquiterpene lactones and volatile oils show antiparasitic activity in vitro and traditional use | [5], [2] |
| Topical minor fungal or bacterial skin issues | Strong leaf infusion, vinegar, or diluted tincture | Wash or compress twice daily for 5 to 7 days; stop if irritation occurs | Flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenes exhibit antimicrobial activity | [6], [5] |
| Mild anxiety, restlessness, sleep onset issues | Leaf infusion; dream sachet or pillow | Sip tea in evening; place a small sachet near pillow | Aromatic nervine; thujone bearing herb with folk oneirogenic reputation | [6] |
| Minor wounds, antiseptic rinse | Strong leaf infusion or compress | Infuse 2 tsp in 250 mL hot water 15 min; cool; apply as wash or compress | Tannins and flavonoids help reduce exudate and support tissue integrity | [1] |
| Respiratory support, mild bronchial irritation | Leaf tea; culinary seasoning | Tea once or twice daily for 3 to 5 days; culinary use as tolerated | Anti inflammatory and antioxidant flavonoids may modulate airway irritation | [1], [7] |
| Compound / Nutrient | Type | Function in Body | What It Helps With | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thujone (alpha, beta) | Monoterpene ketone | Excitatory CNS effect at higher dose; uterotonic; contributes to bitter, aromatic profile | Bitter digestive signaling; oneirogenic reputation; caution in pregnancy and seizure disorders | [8], [10] |
| 1,8-cineole | Monoterpene oxide | Aromatic decongestant; smooth muscle modulation; antimicrobial activity in vitro | Respiratory comfort; aromatic digestive support | [8] |
| Sabinene, beta caryophyllene oxide | Monoterpene and sesquiterpene oxide | Aromatic tonic actions; contributes to antimicrobial and antioxidant profile | General tissue resilience; topical rinse support | [8], [10] |
| Flavonoids (luteolin, apigenin, isorhamnetin) | Polyphenols | Antioxidant; modulates inflammatory cytokines; neuroprotective signals described in vitro and models | Airway irritation; joint comfort; general antioxidant support | [9], [11] |
| Sesquiterpene lactones | Bitter compounds | Stimulate gastric and bile secretion; traditional antiparasitic role; antimicrobial activity in extracts | Sluggish digestion; adjunct in parasite protocols with diet hygiene | [11], [10] |
| Coumarins | Benzopyrones | Vascular tone and microcirculation support noted broadly in Artemisia spp. literature | Pelvic circulation tone in traditional use; topical rinse support | [10] |
| Tannins | Astringent polyphenols | Tissue tightening; decreases exudate; mild antimicrobial surface effect | Minor wounds; mouth and skin rinses | [10] |
| Chlorogenic acid and other phenolic acids | Phenolic acids | Antioxidant; supports hepatic resilience in models; may aid post meal glucose handling | Metabolic steadiness; gentle liver support with diet changes | [9] |
| Minerals (Ca, Mg, K, trace Fe) | Macro and trace minerals | Electrolyte balance and neuromuscular function; present in small, food like amounts | General nutritive support as part of a broader diet | [8] |
| Carotenoid precursors (beta carotene, lutein) | Carotenoids (fat soluble antioxidants) | Antioxidant membrane protection; precursors to vitamin A activity; ocular and skin support. Documented across Artemisia spp.; high lutein in A. princeps; A. vulgaris likely contains smaller food like amounts. | General antioxidant support; mucosal integrity. Use with fats to aid absorption. | [C1], [C2], [C3] |
| Land Issue | Plant Function | Part or Behavior | How to Use It | Environmental Benefit | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disturbed ground and bare edges | Pioneer cover and soil hold | Rhizomatous spread; dense foliage | Allow limited patches on margins; cut and mulch before seed set | Reduces erosion and adds biomass to topsoil | [13], [14] |
| Invasive pressure management | Containment awareness | Creeping rhizomes; rapid recolonization | Deadhead, mow before seed, lift rhizomes on borders, monitor spread | Maintains balance between cover value and biodiversity protection | [16], [14] |
| Nutrient poor topsoil | Biomass for mulch | Leafy tops and stems | Chop and drop before seed set; use as sheet mulch on beds or paths | Adds organic matter and surface cover to reduce evaporation | [14] |
| Pest pressure near beds | Aromatic deterrent border | Volatile oils from foliage | Grow as a narrow perimeter strip; keep trimmed; remove if it encroaches | Can reduce browsing or settling by certain herbivores and insects | [10] |
| Heavy metal contamination hotspots | Phytoextraction and interception | Aboveground biomass may capture Zn, Cd, Cu, Ni in some sites | Establish controlled stands; harvest whole plants; remove off site; do not compost | Gradual drawdown or immobilization of pollutants with managed harvest cycles | [15], [18] |
| Weed pressure around seedlings | Potential allelopathic suppression | Root exudates and residues may inhibit neighbors | Use residues with caution near tender crops; observe and adjust placement | May reduce germination of problem weeds in margins, but monitor impacts on desired plants | [14] |
| Slope erosion and surface runoff | Vegetative cover and root reinforcement | Rhizomatous spread; dense canopy; residue mulch | Establish controlled strips on slope margins; plant through biodegradable netting on steep grades; mow or cut before seed set; contain rhizomes at borders. Combine with deep rooted natives for long term stability. | Slows overland flow, protects bare soil, adds organic matter, and improves surface roughness. Use with containment to protect biodiversity. | [S1], [S2], [S3], [S4] |