MUGWORT: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) is a plant native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. The parts that grow above the ground and the root are used to make medicine.

Chemicals in mugwort might have anti-inflammatory effects. It also contains a chemical called thujone, which might stimulate the uterus.

People use mugwort for anxiety, irregular periods, colic, insomnia, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse mugwort with plants with similar common names, including Artemisia herba-alba, tarragon, wormseed, and wormwood. These are not the same.

Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for MUGWORT overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if mugwort is safe. It might cause allergic reactions in some people.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if mugwort is safe or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy: Mugwort is likely unsafe when taken by mouth during pregnancy. Mugwort might cause the utereus to contract or stimulate a period, which can lead to a miscarriage.

Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if mugwort is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Allergies: Mugwort might cause an allergic reaction in people with a variety of allergies, including those to the Asteraceae/Compositae plant family, birch, celery, fennel, wild carrot, honey, hazelnuts, pine nuts, tobacco, and many others.

Interactions

We currently have no information for MUGWORT overview.

Dosing

There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of mugwort might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

Cadwallader KR, Surakarnkul R, Yang SP, Webb TE. Character-impact Aroma Components of Coriander (Coriandrum Sativum L.) Herb. In: Flavor Chemistry of Ethnic Foods. New York, NY: Springer US; 1999.pp 77-84.

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182

Garcia-Gonzalez JJ, Bartolome-Zavala B, Fernandez-Melendez S, et al. Occupational rhinoconjunctivitis and food allergy because of aniseed sensitization. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2002;88:518-22. . View abstract.

Kern C, Gombert C, Roso A, Garcia C. Effect of the supplementation of virgin coriander seed oil on reducing reactivity in healthy women with sensitive skin: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled pilot clinical study. Food Nutr Res 2022;66. View abstract.

Kubo I, Fujita K, Kubo A, et al. Antibacterial activity of coriander volatile compounds against Salmonella choleraesuis. J Agric Food Chem 2004;52:3329-32. View abstract.

Mauer L, El-Sohemy A. Prevalence of cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) disliking among different ethnocultural groups. Flavour. 2012;1:8.

Baek CH, Bae YJ, Cho YS, Moon HB, Kim TB. Food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis in the celery-mugwort-birch-spice syndrome. Allergy. 2010;65(6):792-3. View abstract.

Bauer L, Ebner C, Hirschwehr R, et al. IgE cross-reactivity between birch pollen, mugwort pollen, and celery is due to three distinct cross-reacting allergens: immunoblot investigation of the birch-mugwort-celery syndrome. Clin Exp Allergy 1996;26:1161-70. View abstract.

Borghesan F, Mistrello G, Amato S, Giuffrida MG, Villalta D, Asero R. Mugwort-fennel-allergy-syndrome associated with sensitization to an allergen homologous to Api g 5. Eur Ann Allergy Clin Immunol. 2013;45(4):130-7. View abstract.

Caballero T, Pascual C, Garcia-Ara MC, Ojeda JA, Martin-Esteban M. IgE crossreactivity between mugwort pollen (Artemisia vulgaris) and hazelnut (Abellana nux) in sera from patients with sensitivity to both extracts. Clin Exp Allergy 1997;27:1203-11. View abstract.

Di Lorenzo C, Ferretti F, Moro E, et al. Identification and quantification of thujone in a case of poisoning due to repeated ingestion of an infusion of Artemisia vulgaris L. J Food Sci. 2018;83(8):2257-2264. View abstract.

Diez-Gomez, M. L., Quirce, S., Cuevas, M., Sanchez-Fernandez, C., Baz, G., Moradiellos, F. J., and Martinez, A. Fruit-pollen-latex cross-reactivity: implication of profilin (Bet v 2). Allergy 1999;54(9):951-961. View abstract.

Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Professional's Handbook of Complementary & Alternative Medicines. 1st ed. Springhouse, PA: Springhouse Corp., 1999.

Figueroa, J., Blanco, C., Dumpierrez, A. G., Almeida, L., Ortega, N., Castillo, R., Navarro, L., Perez, E., Gallego, M. D., and Carrillo, T. Mustard allergy confirmed by double-blind placebo-controlled food challenges: clinical features and cross-reactivity with mugwort pollen and plant-derived foods. Allergy 2005;60(1):48-55. View abstract.

Gonzalez, E. M., Villalba, M., and Rodriguez, R. Allergenic cross-reactivity of olive pollen. Allergy 2000;55(7):658-663. View abstract.

Hirschfeld G, Weber L, Renkl A, Scharffetter-Kochanek K, Weiss JM. Anaphylaxis after Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) therapy in a patient with sensitization to star anise and celery-carrot-mugwort-spice syndrome. Allergy. 2008;63(2):243-4. View abstract.

Rudeschko, O., Fahlbusch, B., Steurich, F., Schlenvoigt, G., and Jager, L. Kiwi allergens and their cross-reactivity with birch, rye, timothy, and mugwort pollen. J.Investig.Allergol.Clin.Immunol. 1998;8(2):78-84. View abstract.

Silva R, Lopes C, Castro E, et al. Anaphylaxis to mango fruit and crossreactivity with Artemisia vulgaris pollen. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2009;19(5):420-2. View abstract.

Sten, E., Stahl, Skov P., Andersen, S. B., Torp, A. M., Olesen, A., Bindslev-Jensen, U., Poulsen, L. K., and Bindslev-Jensen, C. Allergenic components of a novel food, Micronesian nut Nangai (Canarium indicum), shows IgE cross-reactivity in pollen allergic patients. Allergy 2002;57(5):398-404. View abstract.

Wuthrich, B. and Dietschi, R. [The celery-carrot-mugwort-condiment syndrome: skin test and RAST results]. Schweiz.Med Wochenschr. 3-16-1985;115(11):258-264. View abstract.

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
Licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC
Copyright © 1995-2024 by Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. All Rights Reserved.