Monograph: Mugwort

Date: 2021-12-17

NHPID name

Artemisia vulgaris ( Germplasm Resources Information Network Taxonomy )

Proper name(s)

Artemisia vulgaris L. (Asteraceae) ( USDA 2008 )

Common name(s)

• Felon herb ( Wichtl 2004 , McGuffin et al. 2000 )
• Mugwort ( Wichtl 2004 , McGuffin et al. 2000 )
• St. John's plant ( Wichtl 2004 , McGuffin et al. 2000 )
• Summitates Artemisiae (vulgaris) ( Wichtl 2004 , McGuffin et al. 2000 )
• Wild wormwood ( Wichtl 2004 , McGuffin et al. 2000 )

Source material

Herb top ( Bradley 2006 , Grieve 1971[1931] )

Route Of administration

Oral

Dosage form(s)

Those suited to the allowable route(s) of administration. This monograph is not intended to include food-like dosage forms such as bars, chewing gums or beverages.

Use(s) or purpose(s)

Statement(s) to the effect of:

• Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to stimulate the appetite (orexigenic).  (Bradley 2006, Williamson et al. 1988, Grieve 1971[1931])
• Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to aid digestion (stomachic).  (Bradley 2006, Hoffmann 2003, Williamson et al. 1988, Grieve 1971[1931])
• Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to stimulate secretion of bile (choleretic).  (Bradley 2006, Wichtl 2004, Williamson et al. 1988)

Dose(s)

Adults:

See Appendix 1 for examples of appropriate dosage preparations and frequencies of use, according to cited references. The purpose of Appendix 1 is to provide guidance to industry.

Duration of use

No statement is required

Risk information

Statement(s) to the effect of:

Caution(s) and Warning(s):

• Consult a health care practitioner if symptoms persist.
• Consult a health care practitioner if symptoms worsen.

Contraindication(s): Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.  (Brinker 2001, Blumenthal et al. 1998, Williamson et al. 1988) Known Adverse Reaction(s):

• Do not use if you are allergic to plants of the Asteraceae/Compositae/Daisy family.  (Wichtl 2004, Hoffmann 2003, Brinker 2001)
• Hypersensitivity/allergy is known to occur, in which case, discontinue use.  (Wichtl 2004, Hoffmann 2003, Brinker 2001)

Non-medicinal ingredients

Must be chosen from the current Natural health products ingredients database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.

Specifications

• The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the NHPD Quality of natural health products guide.
• The medicinal ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the Natural health products ingredient database (NHPID).

References cited

• Blumenthal M, Busse W, Goldberg A, Gruenwald J, Hall T, Riggins C, Rister R, editors. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Austin (TX): American Botanical Council; 1998.
• Bradley PR, editor. British Herbal Compendium: A Handbook of Scientific Information on Widely Used Plant Drugs, Volume 2. Bournemouth (UK): British Herbal Medicine Association; 2006.
• Brinker F. 2001. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions, 3rd edition. Sandy (OR): Eclectic Medical Publications.
• Grieve M. 1971. A Modern Herbal, Volume 1. New York (NY): Dover Publications [Reprint of 1931 Harcourt, Brace & Company publication].
• Hoffmann D. 2003. Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester (VT): Healing Arts Press.
• McGuffin M, Kartesz JT, Leung AY, Tucker AO, editors. 2000. Herbs of Commerce, 2nd edition. Austin(TX): American Herbal Products Association.
• USDA 2008: ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville (MD). [Accessed 2008-01-21]. Available at http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl
• Wichtl M, editor. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals: A Handbook for Practice on a Scientific Basis, 3rd edition. Stuttgart (D): Medpharm GmbH Scientific Publishers; 2004.
• Williamson EM, Evans FJ, Wren RC. Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations. Saffron Walden (GB): C.W. Daniel Company Limited; 1988.

References reviewed

• Bartram T. Bartram's Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: The Definitive Guide to the Herbal Treatments of Diseases. New York (NY): Marlowe & Company; 1998.
• BHP 1983: British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Cowling (GB): British Herbal Medical Association; 1983.
• Boon H, Smith M. The Botanical Pharmacy: The pharmacology of 47 Common Herbs. Kingston (Ontario): Quarry Press Inc.; 1999.
• Duke JA, Bogenschutz-Godwin MJ, DuCellier J, Duke PK. 2002. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, 2nd edition. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press.
• Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C, editors. PDR for Herbal Medicines, 1st edition. Montvale (NJ): Medical Economics Company; 1998.
• Hausen BM. A 6-year experience with compositae mix. American Journal of Contact Dermatitis 1996;7(2):94-99.
• Kerckhoffs D, Brouns F, Hornstra G, Mensink R. Effects on the human serum lipoprotein profile of beta-glucan, soy protein isoflavones, plant sterols and satnols, garlic and tocotrienols. Journal of Nutrition 2002;132(9):2494-2505.
• Kurz G, Rapaport M. External/internal allergy to plants (Artemesia). Contact Dermatitis 1979;5(6):407-408.
• Paulsen E, Anderson K, Hausen B. Sensitization and cross-reaction patterns in Danish Compositae-allergic patients. Contact Dermatitis 2001;45(4):197-204.
• Peirce A. Practical Guide to Natural Medicines. New York (NY): The Stonesong Press, Inc; 1999.

Appendix 1: Examples of appropriate dosage preparations, frequencies of use and directions for use

Infusion:

• 0.5-2 g dried aerial parts, 3 times per day (Bradley 2006)
• 1.2 g (1 teaspoon) dried aerial parts, 2-3 times per day
  Directions for use:
  Pour 150 ml boiling water over dried aerial parts, steep for 5 minutes in a covered cup, then strain (Wichtl 2004).
• 1.2-2.4 g (1-2 teaspoons) dried aerial parts, 3 times per day
  Directions for use:
  Pour 250 ml (one cup) of boiling water over dried aerial parts and infuse for 10 to 15 minutes in a covered container (Hoffmann 2003).

Fluidextract:

0.5-2 g dried equivalent, 3 times per day
(1:1, 25% alcohol, 0.5-2 ml) (Bradley 2006)

Tincture:

0.2-0.8 g dried equivalent, 3 times per day
(1:5, 25% alcohol, 1-4 ml) (Hoffmann 2003)