MUGWORT - ARTEMISIA VULGARIS

Date

July 31, 2026

Proper name(s), Common name(s), Source information

References: Proper name: USDA 2025; Common names: Gardner and McGuffin 2013; Wichtl 2004; Source information: Bradley 2006; Grieve 1971.

Route of administration

Oral

Dosage form(s)

This monograph excludes foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of Monographs Guidance Document.

Dosage forms must be suited for buccal administration which allow for direct contact between the affected tissue and the medicinal ingredient (i.e. liquid preparations, gargles and mouthwashes).

Use(s) or Purpose(s)

• (Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine to help stimulate the appetite (Bradley 2006; Williamson et al. 1988; Grieve 1971).
• (Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine (as a stomachic) to aid digestion (Bradley 2006; Hoffmann 2003; Williamson et al. 1988; Grieve 1971).
• (Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine (as a choleretic) to help increase bile flow (Bradley 2006; Wichtl 2004; Williamson et al. 1988).

Notes

• The above uses can be combined on the product label if from the same traditional or non-traditional system of medicine (e.g., Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to help stimulate the appetite and aid digestion).
• For multi-ingredient products:
  • To prevent the product from being represented as a "traditional medicine", any indicated traditional use claim must refer to the specific medicinal ingredient(s) and recognized traditional system of medicine from which the claim originates when 1) both traditional and modern claims are present or 2) when claims originate from multiple systems of traditional medicine (e.g., Mugwort is traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to aid digestion).
  • When ALL of the medicinal ingredients (MIs) in the product are used within the SAME identified system of traditional medicine AND the product makes ONLY traditional claims, listing of MIs in the traditional claim(s) is not required.

Dose(s)

Subpopulation(s)

Adults 18 years and older

Quantity(ies)

Methods of preparation: Dry, Powdered, Non-Standardized Extracts (Dry extract*, Tincture, Fluid extract, Decoction, Decoction concentrate, Infusion, Infusion concentrate)

0.2 - 2.4 grams of dried herb top, 3 times per day (Bradley 2006; Wichtl 2004; Hoffmann 2003).

*Note: Solvents allowed for the method of preparation "Non-Standardized Extracts (Dry extract)" as part of this monograph are ethanol and/or water only.

Direction(s) for use

No statement required.

Duration(s) of use

No statement required.

Risk information

Caution(s) and warning(s)

Ask a health care practitioner/health care provider/health care professional/doctor/physician if symptoms persist or worsen.

Contraindication(s)

Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding (Brinker 2010; Blumenthal et al. 1998; Williamson et al. 1988).

Known adverse reaction(s)

Stop use if hypersensitivity/allergy occurs (Brinker 2010; Wichtl 2004; Hoffmann 2003).

Non-medicinal ingredients

Must be chosen from the current Natural Health Products Ingredients Database (NHPID) and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.

Storage conditions

Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the Natural Health Products Regulations.

Specifications

• The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (NNHPD) Quality of Natural Health Products Guide.
• The medicinal ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the NHPID.

EXAMPLE OF PRODUCT FACTS:

Consult the Guidance Document, Labelling of Natural Health Products for more details.

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. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions, 4^th edition. Sandy (OR): Eclectic Medical Publications; 2010.
• Gardner Z, McGuffin M, editors. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. 2^nd edition. Boca Ration (FL): Taylor and Francis Group; 2013.
• Grieve M. A Modern Herbal, Volume 1. New York (NY): Dover Publications; 1971 [Reprint of 1931 Harcourt, Brace & Company publication].
• Hoffmann D. Medical Herbalism. Rochester (VT): Healing Arts Press; 2003.
• USDA 2025: United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA ARS), Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) - Global. U.S. National Plant Germplasm System. [Accessed 2026 July 5]. Available from: https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomysearch
• Wichtl M, editor. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals: A Handbook for Practice on a Scientific Basis, 3^rd 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 (UK): C.W. Daniel Company Limited; 1988.

References reviewed

• Bartram T. Bartram's Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. New York (NY): Marlowe and Company; 1998.
• BHP 1983: British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Cowling (UK): British Herbal Medical Association; 1983.
• Boon H, Smith MJ. The Botanical Pharmacy: The Pharmacology of 47 Common Herbs. Kingston (ON): Quarry Press Inc.; 1999.
• Duke JA, Bogenschutz-Godwin MJ, DuCellier J, Duke PK. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, 2^nd edition. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press; 2002.
• Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C, editors. PDR for Herbal Medicines, 1^st 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 stanols, 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. The American Pharmaceutical Association Practical Guide to Natural Medicines. New York (NY): William Morrow and Company, Inc; 1999.

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