Aphotoflora. (2004). Aphotoflora. Retrieved from: http://www.aphotoflora.com/d_artemisia_vulgaris_mugwort.html
Botanical Name: Artemisia vulgaris
Common name: Mugwort, Motherwort, Cronewort (Holms, 1989, p. 316)
Family: Asteraceae (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 531)
Parts used: Leaf and root (Hoffmann, 2013, p. 531)
Folklore: The name “Motherwort” is derived from western folklore as a herb for the womb (Holms, 1989, p. 317)
Constituents: Volatile oil (linalool, 1,8-cineole, β-thujone, borneol, α- and β- pinene); sesquiterpene lactones (incl. vulgarin); flavonoids; coumarin derivatives and triterpenes (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 531).
Actions
- Bitter tonic (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 531)
- Stimulant (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 531)
- Nervine tonic (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 531)
- Emmenagogue (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 531)
TCM actions:
- Warms channels
- Stops bleeding
- Dispels cold
- Relieves pain’
- Drains dampness
- Warms the uterus
- Alleviates itching
(Hempen, 2009, p. 586)
Indications Traditional
- Mugwort root is a traditional European treatment for epilepsy (Holms, 1989, p. 317)
- Traditionally used in Moxibustion in the treatment of damp-cold and pain due to cold (Hempen, 2009, p. 587)
TCM indications
- Amenorrhea (Holms, 1989, p. 316)
- Dysmenorrhea (Hempen, 2009, p. 587; Holms, 1989, p. 316)
- PMS with dry skin, swollen breasts, confusion and loss of self esteem (Holms, 1989, p. 316)
- Estrogen or progesterone deficiency (Holms, 1989, p. 316)
- Failure to progress during labor (Holms, 1989, p. 316)
- Restless foetus (Hempen, 2009, p. 587)
- Infertility (Holms, 1989, p. 317)
- Anorexia (Holms, 1989, p. 317)
- Gastric and biliary dyspepsia (Holms, 1989, p. 317)
- Liver congestion (Holms, 1989, p. 317)
- Jaundice (Holms, 1989, p. 317)
- Edema (Holms, 1989, p. 317)
- Aches, pains, fever and chills (Holms, 1989, p. 317)
- Boils, ulcers, sores (Holms, 1989, p. 317)
- Urinary and intestinal infections (Holms, 1989, p. 317)
- Intestinal parasites (Holms, 1989, p. 317)
- Eczema or itching (internal or external) (Hempen, 2009, p. 587)
- Cough, wheezing phlegm (Hempen, 2009, p. 587)
Dosage & Preparation: 3-9g/day (Hempen, 2009, p. 587)
Cautions
- Avoid during pregnancy and lactation due to effect on uterus and “drying” quality (Holms, 1989, p. 317)
- Long term use/excessive dose may cause toxicity due to thujone content (Holms, 1989, p. 317)
- Yin deficentcy heat (Hempen, 2009, p. 587)
Interactions: For heavy menstrual bleeding, restless foetus or premature labor: combine with Angelicae sinensis (Hempen, 2009, p. 587)