**************************************************************************** Common Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) **************************************************************************** Plant Family: Asteraceae (Daisy family) Taxonomic Note: Artemisia absinthium (true Wormwood, used in absinthe) is a different species with stronger bitterness and higher thujone. Artemisia douglasiana (California mugwort) is a North American cousin tied to dream rites and Native American traditions. This entry focuses SPECIFICALLY on Artemisia vulgaris, historically known as Cingulum Sancti Johannis (St. John's Girdle). Edibility: Leaves and shoots (as seasoning, bittering agent for ales, teas). Young shoots edible when cooked; traditional culinary uses in Europe and East Asia. Toxicity Notes: Avoid internal use in pregnancy (especially 1st trimester) due to risk of miscarriage. Thujone-bearing herbs may aggravate seizure disorders or interact with alcohol/medications. Use moxibustion only with trained practitioners. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________ *********************************************** ||____________HEAL THYSELF__________________|| *********************************************** +-------------------------------+-------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------------------+--------+ | Ailment / When to Use | Part Used | Preparation and Dose | Why It Works | Source | +===============================+=========================+=========================================================+========================================================+========+ | Sluggish digestion, bloating | Dried leaf and stem | Infuse 1 tsp in 250 mL hot water for 10 min. Drink | Bitters and aromatics stimulate bile and gastric | [1] | | post meal heaviness | | before meals once or twice daily. | juices; carminative effect eases stagnation. | | +-------------------------------+-------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------------------+--------+ | Irregular menstruation, PMS | Leaf infusion; | Tea as above for 3–5 days before menses. | Emmenagogue action increases pelvic circulation | [2] | | cramps | moxibustion | Moxibustion only with trained provider. | and uterine tone. | | +-------------------------------+-------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------------------+--------+ | Breech presentation support | Dried mugwort sticks | Moxa applied near acupuncture points by trained | Thermal stimulation may increase fetal activity | [3],[4]| | (moxibustion) | (moxa) | provider between weeks 33–36. | and relax uterine patterns. | | +-------------------------------+-------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------------------+--------+ | Intestinal worms, parasites | Whole plant infusion | Tea or tincture daily for 7 days; repeat after 1 week. | Sesquiterpene lactones and oils show antiparasitic | [5],[2]| | | or tincture | | activity (traditional use + in vitro evidence). | | +-------------------------------+-------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------------------+--------+ | Topical fungal or bacterial | Strong leaf infusion, | Wash or compress 2x daily for 5–7 days. | Flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenes provide | [6],[5]| | issues | vinegar, tincture | | antimicrobial effect. | | +-------------------------------+-------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------------------+--------+ | Anxiety, restlessness, sleep | Leaf infusion; dream | Evening tea; sachet or pillow stuffing. | Aromatic nervine; thujone contributes to mild | [6] | | onset issues | sachet/pillow | | oneirogenic folklore. | | +-------------------------------+-------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------------------+--------+ | Minor wounds, antiseptic | Strong leaf infusion | Infuse 2 tsp in 250 mL hot water 15 min. Cool and use | Tannins and flavonoids reduce exudate; tissue | [1] | | rinse | or compress | as wash or compress. | integrity support. | | +-------------------------------+-------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------------------+--------+ | Respiratory irritation, | Leaf tea; seasoning | Tea once or twice daily for 3–5 days; also as food | Flavonoids provide antioxidant/anti-inflammatory | [1],[7]| | mild bronchial issues | | seasoning. | support for airways. | | +-------------------------------+-------------------------+---------------------------------------------------------+--------------------------------------------------------+--------+ *****LIST OF REFERENCED SOURCES***** _____________________________ [1] Ekiert H et al. Significance of Artemisia vulgaris L. in diet and medicine. Molecules 2020. [2] Herbal Reality. Mugwort profile. 2023. [3] Cochrane Review. Cephalic version by moxibustion for breech. 2023. [4] Liao JA et al. Moxibustion for breech correction. 2021. [5] Nikitin E et al. Artemisia extracts and antimicrobial activity. IJMS 2023;24:14372. [6] Herbal Academy. How to use mugwort for dreams, sleep, and more. 2020. [7] Trifan A et al. Phytochemical profile of Artemisia species. Antioxidants 2022;11:1017. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ *********************************************** ||________ KEY CONSTITUENTS ___________|| *********************************************** +----------------------------------+------------------------+------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------+--------+ | Compound / Nutrient | Type | Function in Body | What It Helps With | Source | +==================================+========================+================================================+=====================================================+========+ | Thujone (alpha, beta) | Monoterpene ketone | CNS excitatory at high dose; uterotonic; bitter | Digestive signaling, uterine stimulation, | [8],[10]| | | | constituent. | oneirogenic folklore (caution in pregnancy). | | +----------------------------------+------------------------+------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------+--------+ | 1,8-cineole | Monoterpene oxide | Decongestant; antimicrobial; smooth muscle mod. | Respiratory comfort, digestive aromatic. | [8] | +----------------------------------+------------------------+------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------+--------+ | Sabinene, beta-caryophyllene ox. | Terpenes | Aromatic tonic; antioxidant; antimicrobial. | General tissue resilience; topical rinse uses. | [8],[10]| +----------------------------------+------------------------+------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------+--------+ | Flavonoids (luteolin, apigenin) | Polyphenols | Antioxidant; modulates cytokines; neuroprotect. | Airway comfort, joint health, antioxidant support. | [9],[11]| +----------------------------------+------------------------+------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------+--------+ | Sesquiterpene lactones | Bitter compounds | Stimulate bile; antiparasitic; antimicrobial. | Sluggish digestion, adjunct parasite support. | [11],[10]| +----------------------------------+------------------------+------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------+--------+ | Coumarins | Benzopyrones | Vascular tone; microcirculation support. | Pelvic circulation, rinse use. | [10] | +----------------------------------+------------------------+------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------+--------+ | Tannins | Polyphenols | Astringent; tissue tightening; antimicrobial. | Minor wounds, oral rinses. | [10] | +----------------------------------+------------------------+------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------+--------+ | Chlorogenic acid | Phenolic acid | Antioxidant; hepatic support; glucose handling. | Metabolic steadiness, liver support. | [9] | +----------------------------------+------------------------+------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------+--------+ | Minerals (Ca, Mg, K, Fe trace) | Macro/trace minerals | Electrolyte balance; neuromuscular support. | General nutritive support (small amounts). | [8] | +----------------------------------+------------------------+------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------+--------+ | Carotenoids (beta carotene, | Fat-soluble pigments | Antioxidant; vitamin A precursor; ocular health | Antioxidant support, mucosal integrity; | [C1–C3]| | lutein) | | | nutritional adjunct. | | +----------------------------------+------------------------+------------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------------+--------+ *****LIST OF REFERENCED SOURCES***** _____________________________ [8] Ekiert H et al. Molecules 2020. [9] Trifan A et al. Antioxidants 2022. [10] Sharifi-Rad J et al. Artemisia spp. review. PMC 2022. [11] Nikitin E et al. IJMS 2023;24:14372. [C1] Ekiert H et al. Molecules 2020 (carotenoid data). [C2] Trifan A et al. Antioxidants 2022 (carotenoids). [C3] Komuro M et al. J Oleo Sci 2017 (lutein in A. princeps). _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ *********************************************** ||________ HEAL THY LAND & SOIL ___________|| *********************************************** +------------------------------+-----------------------------+--------------------------------+------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------+--------+ | Land Issue | Plant Function | Part or Behavior | How to Use It | Environmental Benefit | Source | +==============================+=============================+================================+================================================+===================================================+========+ | Disturbed ground, bare edges | Pioneer cover and soil hold | Rhizomatous spread, dense top | Allow limited margins; mulch before seeding. | Reduces erosion, adds biomass to topsoil. | [13],[14]| +------------------------------+-----------------------------+--------------------------------+------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------+--------+ | Invasive spread management | Containment awareness | Creeping rhizomes | Deadhead, mow before seed, lift rhizomes. | Balance cover with biodiversity protection. | [16],[14]| +------------------------------+-----------------------------+--------------------------------+------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------+--------+ | Nutrient-poor topsoil | Mulch contribution | Leafy tops and stems | Chop-drop before seed set; sheet mulch use. | Adds organic matter; reduces evaporation. | [14] | +------------------------------+-----------------------------+--------------------------------+------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------+--------+ | Pest pressure near beds | Aromatic deterrent | Volatile oils | Grow perimeter strip, keep trimmed. | Reduces browsing by some herbivores/insects. | [10] | +------------------------------+-----------------------------+--------------------------------+------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------+--------+ | Heavy metal contamination | Phytoextraction | Aboveground biomass uptake | Controlled stands; harvest and remove. | Gradual pollutant drawdown; biomass removal. | [15],[18]| +------------------------------+-----------------------------+--------------------------------+------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------+--------+ | Weed pressure | Allelopathic suppression | Root exudates, residues | Use residues cautiously; monitor effects. | May inhibit weeds in margins; caution near crops. | [14] | +------------------------------+-----------------------------+--------------------------------+------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------+--------+ | Slope erosion, runoff | Soil stabilization | Rhizomatous spread, canopy | Controlled strips, cut before seed set. | Slows flow, protects bare soil, improves surface. | [S1–S4]| +------------------------------+-----------------------------+--------------------------------+------------------------------------------------+---------------------------------------------------+--------+ *****LIST OF REFERENCED SOURCES***** _____________________________ [13] Invasive Plant Atlas. Artemisia vulgaris profile. [14] University of Connecticut Extension. Common mugwort factsheet. [15] Antoniadis V et al. Phytoremediation potential. Environmental Research 2021. [16] Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder. Artemisia vulgaris. [18] Rebele F. Phytoextraction and phytostabilisation with mugwort. 2011. [S1] UConn Extension. Mugwort erosion control notes. [S2] NC Cooperative Extension. Erosion control overview. [S3] Clemson HGIC. Groundcovers for erosion control. [S4] USDA NRCS. Vegetative barriers technical note. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ****************************************************************************** See this plant entry on the JesterScribe website: https://jesterscribe.net/Weeds/Artemisia_vulgaris *******************************************************************************