Can Mugwort Be Toxic?

As mugwort is related to ragweed, people with ragweed or other grass allergies may experience an allergic reaction to mugwort. There may also be cross-reactive allergies in people with celery, carrot, or birch allergies. Mugwort should not be used in children, while breastfeeding, or when pregnant (as it may theoretically induce labor).

Yes, although some sources report that the use of mugwort has been banned, its use is uncontrolled in the United States. What this means is that any part of the plant, as well as its extracts, is legal to grow, process, sell, trade, or give away. But if sold, medicinal supplements must conform to U.S. supplement laws.

When mugwort is smoked, it exhibits very mild psychoactive effects and strong relaxing properties. The intoxicating qualities of the sacred Artemisia vulgaris comes from the chemical makeup of their leaves. α- and β- Thujone are the psychoactive compounds which provide slight hallucinogenic or psychotropic effects to mugwort and other plants.

Common Names: mugwort, common wormwood, wild wormwood, felon herb, chrysanthemum weed, St. John’s plant, sailor’s tobacco Mugwort is a perennial plant that is native to Europe and parts of Asia and Africa. It now grows in many parts of the world, including North America.

What Is Mugwort Used For?

Many people consider mugwort a common weed. This is because the plant spreads aggressively, often taking over large areas of a garden. The plant is related to ragweed and may cause allergy symptoms that mimic those caused by ragweed allergies .

Another chemical that has been extracted from mugwort is called artemisinin. It is thought to have antitumor activity. In addition, the chemicals in mugwort are thought to stimulate the uterus to contract, promoting menstrual flow. These chemicals are thought to lend themselves to the labor process in childbirth.

Mugwort can be made into a tea by adding 1.5 teaspoons of mugwort leaves to a cup of boiling water (in a French press or tea infuser), steeping for 10 minutes then straining off the leaves and serving. The roots of mugwort are used to make a tonic said to boost energy.

The mugwort plant grows to 4 feet in height, but occasionally reaches heights of up to 6 feet. Its angular reddish-brown stems have bitter-tasting leaves that have a sage-like aroma. The plant blooms with yellow or dark orange flowers in the summer. The aerial parts of the mugwort plant are used as an essential oil.

The parts of the mugwort plant that grow aboveground are used to make essential oil, which is composed of several therapeutic chemicals (including camphor, pinene, and cineole). This chemical composition has diverse health-promoting properties including the plant’s antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal effects. 1 .

The roots of mugwort are used to make a tonic said to boost energy. In ancient cultures, mugwort was smoked to promote vivid dreams. This is because mugwort is said to produce mild psychotropic effects during wakefulness. A psychotropic effect can be induced by a substance that impacts the mental state of a person.

This was done to relieve aching feet. St. John the Baptist was said to have worn a girdle of mugwort.

What is the name of the allergic reaction to mugwort?

There is also something called “birch-mugwort-celery syndrome ,” or “celery-carrot-mugwort-spice syndrome,” which indicates that if a person is allergic to one of the substances in these names, they may also be likely to be allergic to the others. This is also known as oral allergy syndrome.

Since the European Middle Ages, people have used mugwort as an herb to repel insects# N#Trusted Source#N#, especially moths, from people’s gardens. There is even a theory that the name mugwort comes from the old English word for moth.

Mugwort is a plant that people have been using for thousands of years. Its uses range from insect repellent and as an ingredient in alcohol to a treatment option for a wide range of health conditions, including osteoarthritis, digestive conditions, and menstrual cramps, to name a few. Keep reading to learn more about mugwort, …

Mugwort is a hardy perennial plant that usually grows in the warmer areas of the Northern Hemisphere. It is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa. People usually consider mugwort to be an invasive weed. It spreads quickly and easily and can take over large parts of a person’s garden. It is also related to ragweed and can cause …

Historically, experts have associated this herb with pregnancy loss, so many recommend that pregnant people avoid mugwort so as to minimize the risk of miscarriage. Also, one 2020 study found significant toxic components in moxibustion smoke that might have negative effects on the liver, kidneys, and heart.

That said, mugwort can cause allergic reactions. Trusted Source. similar to those associated with ragweed.

indicate that the ability of California mugwort to kill cells extends to normal human cells, as well as cancerous ones. A 2018 review of numerous studies into moxibustion concludes that it may help reduce the symptoms of chemotherapy and improve quality of life, but research must continue to confirm this.

What is mugwort used for?

Most importantly, it’s been shown to help fight serious diseases and maladies, from cancer to joint pain. You may often hear mugwort referred to by other names, such as felonherb, green ginger or common (wild) wormwood . ( 1) It is sometimes confused for St. John’s wort (because of the name) or chrysanthemum weed (because of its appearance).

In fact, the English have a slightly different memory how the name “mugwort” came about than the ancient Greeks or Chinese. Because the gruit beer was served and enjoyed in a mug, the herb is said to have gotten its name because of that obvious connection.

The leaves of the mugwort plant are formed into a short stick or cone and burned over the points of acupuncture, which inhibits the release of energy and circulates blood by creating a warming effect on the acupuncture site.

The stem of a hemlock is known to be green with purple splotches, but mugwort stems are purely purple . Hemlock’s flowers are white with 5 petals in an upside down umbrella shape, while mugwort flowers are a pale yellow or red, wrapping around the stalk in an alternating pattern around it.

How to Spot It. The plant itself can reach up to six feet at its highest and has often been confused with a hemlock, but you can tell the difference by a few simple factors: the height, stem color and its flowers. For example, hemlocks grow up to 12 feet, which is unheard of for a mugwort plant.

Attacking Cancerous Cells and Malaria. Completed and current ongoing studies on the possible uses of mugwort indicate that links to the fundamental component of the plant, artemisinins, as being toxic to certain cancer cells. Relatedly, mugwort is a naturally occurring anti-malarial.

It’s even been known to elicit intense and vivid dreams. ( 5) Components of mugwort are also being tested and studied as a possible alternative treatment for some cancers.

Where is Mugwort grown?

Grown in Europe, North America, and Asia, you’ve likely seen mugwort and mistaken the leafy plant for a weed. According to Jonathan Valdez, R.D.N., owner of Genki Nutrition and spokesperson for the New York State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the leaves and stems of the plant can be used in cooking, or dried and made into herbal supplements. …

Individuals who are allergic to other members of the Asteraceae/Compositae plant family—such as ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many other herbs—and people allergic to birch, celery, or wild carrot may experience allergic reaction s to mugwort, says Valdez.

So, if you’re allergic to any of the plants listed above, or often have negative immune responses to new foods, mugwort is probably not for you.

Mugwort may sound like a J.K. Rowling invention in the Harry Potter realm, but it’s actually an ancient superherb.

Valdez warns that nobody should take mugwort without the supervision of a healthcare provider —especially people who are pregnant. He says that the very mechanism that may make the herb beneficial for breech babies can be detrimental to women earlier in their pregnancy. “Mugwort could cause a miscarriage because it’s thought to encourage menstruation.”