Mugwort

Common Name(s)

mugwort, felon herb, wild wormwood, St. John's plant

Scientific Name(s)

Artemisia vulgaris

General Information

Mugwort is a perennial plant originally from Europe, northern Africa, and Asia. Traditionally, mugwort has been used to protect from fatigue, sunstroke, wild animals, and evil spirits.

How is this product usually used?

Mugwort is meant for oral use. Aerial parts of mugwort (i.e., dried leaf and stem) are used to prepare infusions, tinctures, and fluid extract. Traditionally, 0.2 g to 2.4 g of dried aerial parts, 3 times per day was used in various preparations. The dose may vary in individuals. For long-term use, consult a health care provider.

Mugwort is not recommended for children under 18 years old.

Your health care provider may have recommended using this product in other ways. Contact a health care provider if you have questions.

What is this product used for?

In herbal medicine, mugwort is traditionally used orally (by mouth) to:

• stimulate the appetite
• help with digestion
• stimulate bile secretion

There is not enough reliable scientific evidence to show whether mugwort is effective for any of these uses.

Your health care provider may have recommended this product for other conditions. Contact a health care provider if you have questions.

What else should I be aware of?

There is not enough information to determine the safety of mugwort. If you experience any unexplained side effects while taking mugwort, you should stop taking it immediately and seek medical advice.

There have been reports of respiratory and skin allergic responses. If you experience breathing problems, wheezing, shortness of breath, asthma, skin rash, hives, eczema, or other respiratory or skin reactions, stop using mugwort and contact your health care provider.

Mugwort has no known interactions with other medications.

Do not use mugwort if you are:

• allergic to the Asteraceae or Compositae (daisy) family of plants, which includes ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and chamomile
• under 18 years of age
• pregnant
• breast-feeding

Consult a health care provider if any of the symptoms or conditions being treated with mugwort persist or worsen.

Before taking any new medications, including natural health products, speak to your physician, pharmacist, or other health care provider. Tell your health care provider about any natural health products you may be taking.

Source(s)

1. Health Canada. Licensed Natural Health Products. Mugwort. https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/atReq.do?atid=mugwort&lang=eng
2. Mugwort (monograph). Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database.