artemisia vulgaris

mugwort

multiple varieties Sharp spikey leaves, hairless on top but have soft white wooly hair underneath. 3 ft stem (1m) sometimes purplish. Small greenish yellow cottony looking flowers on spikes. Leaves are edible, somewhat bitter (good for digestion, stomach acid, bile production, gas, bloating, nutrient absorption, liver). Used for centuries as an antibacterial, antifungal, worm-expeller, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, digestive, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant, stomach aid, and blood cleanser. Tea used to hide pain, headaches, promote sweating, regulates menses, lowers blood sugar, rheumatism, colds, bronchitis, epilepsy, colic, kidneys, nerves, shaking, stomach aches, asthma, insomnia, menstrual issues, tumors, stop bleeding, diarrhea, . Leaves contain compounds shown to be effective against staph and strep infections, dysentery, E.Coli, etc. Tea also used as insecticide, and externally for skin conditions like poison ivy. Used in past as flavoring for beer-like drinks before hops were used. Do not take while pregnant. Not advisable for children.

Artemisia vulgaris

mugwort

Acupuncture
See Moxabustion.

Herbal medicine
A perennial shrub that contains absinthin, flavonoids, tannin and volatile oil, which is used for menstrual dysfunction and cramping, threatened abortion and as a natural insect repellant.
Toxicity
Mugwort should not be used in pregnancy.

Artemisia

(art?e-mezh'(e-)a) [L. artemisia fr. Gr Artemis, Artemis (the goddess) + -ia] A large genus of plants belonging to the daisy family.

Artemisia annua

A Chinese herb used as a source of artesunate (an antimalarial drug).