Omnia SanaPlant Comparison
Mugwort vs Catnip
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Mugwort and Catnip: they share 8 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, bloating, indigestion, …); 4 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Mugwort | Catnip | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Bloating | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Indigestion | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Infection (general) | 1/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Inflammation (general) | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Insomnia / sleeplessness | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Skin irritation | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Wounds | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
Multiple undescribed and known sesquiterpenoids and triterpenoids isolated from the leaves, several with anti-inflammatory activity.
Volatile oil containing thujone and other monoterpenes; thujone content is the basis of the caution on prolonged internal use.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory flavonoid and coumarin constituents.
The characteristic volatile iridoid responsible for the cat-attractant effect and studied for sedative, antimicrobial and insect-repellent activity.
Rich in nepetalactone isomers along with other monoterpenes; studied for antimicrobial and antioxidant activity.
Pharmacological Actions
Artemisia vulgaris (mugwort) extracts inhibit BCR/ABL and induce apoptosis, ferroptosis and necroptosis in chronic myeloid leukaemia and breast cancer cells (preclinical).
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Artemisia vulgaris (mugwort) extracts inhibit BCR/ABL and induce apoptosis in chronic myeloid leukaemia cells (including imatinib-resistant), and trigger tumour-selective ferroptosis/necroptosis in breast cancer and leukaemia cells via lysosomal Ca2+ signalling (preclinical).
inferred from digestive action
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from sedative action
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from digestive action
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from sedative action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Contains thujone; avoid high doses or prolonged use. Contraindicated in pregnancy (uterine stimulant and abortifacient). May cause allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to the Asteraceae family. Avoid in epilepsy. Not recommended for children.
Duke (2002) rates mugwort as + (use with caution) and notes abortifacient (score 1), emmenagogue, aperitif (score 1), and insecticide activities. Duke clearly flags mugwort as contraindicated in pregnancy due to well-documented abortifacient and uterotonic properties. Traditional use has been as a digestive bitter, and the plant contains volatile oils, sesquiterpene lactones, and flavonoids. Duke notes that the plant may cause allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to Asteraceae and warns against long-term use due to potential neurotoxicity from thujone-containing essential oil (Duke, 2002).
Pregnancy: Do not use (traditional concern around stimulating menstruation/uterus) (Health Canada, n.d.). Breastfeeding: Health Canada advises talk to a healthcare professional first (Health Canada, n.d.). Kids: It’s often described as a “gentle” traditional tea, but large amounts are not a good idea—there’s a published case where a toddler became very sleepy/“slowed down” after consuming a lot. Keep catnip tea away from toddlers unless a clinician advises it (Osterhoudt et al., 1997). Sedatives / alcohol: Catnip can be calming, so don’t stack it with other sedating herbs/sleep meds/alcohol (you could get extra drowsy) (WebMD, n.d.a). Essential oil caution: Catnip essential oil is concentrated. Research notes it may cause mild skin irritation for some people—always dilute, patch test, and never treat it like “tea.” (Reichert et al., 2019)
Duke (2002) describes catnip primarily as a sedative, diaphoretic, and emmenagogue with experimental (score 1) support. It has demonstrated uterotonic and oxytocic activity, making it contraindicated in pregnancy. The active compounds include nepetalactone and iridoids. Catnip is classified as a mild nervine and antispasmodic in traditional North American herbal medicine, though clinical trials are lacking. Due to its emmenagogue and uterotonic properties, medicinal-dose use should be avoided during pregnancy (Duke, 2002).
External Ids
Botanical Description
Tall, aromatic perennial herb with deeply lobed, dark green leaves that are distinctively silvery-white and woolly beneath. Small, dull reddish-brown to yellowish flower heads are borne in dense, branched, leafy spikes. The reddish-brown, ridged stems and the leaf's contrasting silver underside are characteristic field marks.[3]
Perennial herb, 30-100 cm tall, with greyish-green, downy, square stems typical of the mint family. Leaves are opposite, triangular-ovate with scalloped or toothed margins, grey-green above and softly felted (whitish) beneath, releasing a minty-lemony aroma when crushed. Small white flowers, spotted with purple or pink, are borne in dense terminal and axillary spikes. Nepetalactone, the volatile compound famous for its effect on cats, is concentrated in glandular hairs on the leaves and stems.[9]
Habitat
A common plant of waste ground, roadsides, hedgerows and riverbanks; native to Europe, Asia and North Africa and widely naturalised in North America.[3]
Native to Europe and temperate Asia and widely naturalised in North America; grows on disturbed, sunny ground - roadsides, waste places, hedgebanks and dry, calcareous or well-drained soils.[9]
Harvesting
The flowering aerial parts (leaf and stem) are cut in summer as flowering begins and dried in a warm, shaded, airy place; the root can be dug in autumn.[3]
Traditional Uses
Mugwort is a widely used traditional bitter digestive tonic and calming nervine, and has a long reputation as an emmenagogue for menstrual complaints (reflected in its traditional use to bring on delayed menstruation, which is also why it is contraindicated in pregnancy). It has also been burned as 'moxa' in East Asian moxibustion and used as an insect repellent ('sailor's tobacco').[3]
Catnip has a long North American and European folk-medicine history as a mild sedative/nervine, diaphoretic (fever-reducing, sweat-promoting) remedy, carminative digestive and traditional emmenagogue; it was also given as a children's tea for colic and restlessness, though large amounts are not advised for young children and it is traditionally avoided in pregnancy.[9]
Preparations
Dosage
Health Canada's NNHPD monograph gives 0.2-2.4 g of dried herb top, 3 times per day, for adults 18 years and older, with infusion and decoction among the accepted methods of preparation. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Health Canada's NNHPD monograph gives 1.2-12 g of dried herb top per day for adults 18 years and older, with infusion among the accepted methods of preparation. Educational reference only, not a prescription. Keep away from toddlers and young children beyond very small amounts, and avoid medicinal-dose use in pregnancy.
References
Drug Class Interactions
Lookalikes Review
Dangerous Lookalikes
Not documented
References & Sources
- Liu, T., Chen, X., Hu, Y., Li, M., Wu, Y. et al (2022) 'Sesquiterpenoids and triterpenoids with anti-inflammatory effects from Artemisia vulgaris L', Phytochemistry, 204, pp. 113428. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2022.113428 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2022.113428 - Trinh, P.T.N., Truc, N.C., Danh, T.T., Trang, N.T.T., Le Hang, D.T. et al (2024) 'A study on the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity of the Artemisia vulgaris L. extract and its fractions', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 334, pp. 118519. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2024.118519 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2024.118519 - Abiri, R., Silva, A.L.M., de Mesquita, L.S.S., de Mesquita, J.W.C., Atabaki, N. et al (2018) 'Towards a better understanding of Artemisia vulgaris: Botany, phytochemistry, pharmacological and biotechnological potential', Food Research International, 109, pp. 403-415. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2018.03.072 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2018.03.072 - Ekiert, H., Pajor, J., Klin, P., Rzepiela, A., Slesak, H. and Szopa, A (2020) 'Significance of Artemisia vulgaris L. (Common Mugwort) in the History of Medicine and Its Possible Contemporary Applications Substantiated by Phytochemical and Pharmacological Studies', Molecules, 25(19), pp. 4415. doi:10.3390/molecules25194415 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25194415 - Soon, L., Ng, P.Q., Chellian, J., Madheswaran, T., Panneerselvam, J., Gupta, G., Nammi, S., Hansbro, N.G., Hsu, A., Dureja, H., Mehta, M., Satija, S., Hansbro, P.M., Collet, T. and Chellappan, D.K (2019) 'Therapeutic potential of Artemisia vulgaris: An insight into underlying immunological mechanisms', Journal of Environmental Pathology, Toxicology and Oncology, 38(3), pp. 205-216. doi:10.1615/JEnvironPatholToxicolOncol.2019029397 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1615/JEnvironPatholToxicolOncol.2019029397 - Xiao, J., Liu, P., Hu, Y., Liu, T., Guo, Y., Sun, P., Zheng, J., Ren, Z. and Wang, Y (2023) 'Antiviral activities of Artemisia vulgaris L. extract against herpes simplex virus', Chinese Medicine, 18(1), pp. 21. doi:10.1186/s13020-023-00711-1 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13020-023-00711-1 - Singh, N.B., Devi, M.L., Biona, T., Sharma, N., Das, S., Chakravorty, J., Mukherjee, P.K. and Rajashekar, Y (2023) 'Phytochemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oil from the Leaves of Artemisia vulgaris L', Molecules, 28(5), pp. 2279. doi:10.3390/molecules28052279 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28052279 - Judzentiene, A. and Budiene, J (2018) 'Chemical Polymorphism of Essential Oils of Artemisia vulgaris Growing Wild in Lithuania', Chemistry & Biodiversity, 15(2), pp. e1700257. doi:10.1002/cbdv.201700257 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.201700257 - Hanh, T.T.H., Vinh, L.B., Cuong, N.X. and Quang, T.H (2022) 'Two new eudesmane sesquiterpene glucosides from the aerial parts of Artemisia vulgaris', Natural Product Research, 37(9), pp. 1544-1549. doi:10.1080/14786419.2022.2025591 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2022.2025591 - Zamarioli, L.D.S., Santos, M.R.M., Erustes, A.G., Meccatti, V.M., Pereira, T.C., Smaili, S.S., Marcucci, M.C., Oliveira, C.R., Pereira, G.J.S. and Bincoletto, C (2023) 'Artemisia vulgaris Induces Tumor-Selective Ferroptosis and Necroptosis via Lysosomal Ca2+ Signaling', Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, 30(6), pp. 525-533. doi:10.1007/s11655-023-3712-2 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-023-3712-2 - Chi, H.T. and Ly, B.T.K (2022) 'Artemisia vulgaris inhibits BCR/ABL and promotes apoptosis in chronic myeloid leukemia cells', Biomedical Reports, 17(6), pp. 92. doi:10.3892/br.2022.1575 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2022.1575 - Tiwari, R.K., Ahmad, A., Khan, A.F., Al-Keridis, L.A., Saeed, M., Alshammari, N., Alabdallah, N.M., Ansari, I.A. and Mujeeb, F (2023) 'Ethanolic Extract of Artemisia vulgaris Leaf Promotes Apoptotic Cell Death in Non-Small-Cell Lung Carcinoma A549 Cells through Inhibition of the Wnt Signaling Pathway', Metabolites, 13(4), pp. 480. doi:10.3390/metabo13040480 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13040480 - Health Canada, Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (2026) 'Natural Health Product Monograph: Mugwort - Artemisia vulgaris'. Available at: https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/dbImages/mono_mugwort_english.pdf Traditional / reference
https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/dbImages/mono_mugwort_english.pdf - Becker, H (1986) 'Botany of European Artemisia species', pp. 1--24. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Botany%20of%20European%20Artemisia%20species - Grieve, M (1931) 'A Modern Herbal'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=A%20Modern%20Herbal - Kung, H.J. and Ko, W.C (2002) 'Pharmacological studies of Artemisia vulgaris', 13(2), pp. 99--108. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Pharmacological%20studies%20of%20Artemisia%20vulgaris - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar, M. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2024) 'Therapeutic potential of hypnotic herbal medicines: A comprehensive review', Phytotherapy Research, 38(6), pp. 3037-3059. doi:10.1002/ptr.8201 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.8201 - Block, K.I., Gyllenhaal, C. and Mead, M.N (2004) 'Safety and efficacy of herbal sedatives in cancer care', Integrative Cancer Therapies, 3(2), pp. 128-148. doi:10.1177/1534735404265003 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735404265003 - Totally Wild UK 'Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) Identification'. Available at: https://totallywilduk.co.uk/2021/04/13/identify-mugwort/ Traditional / reference
https://totallywilduk.co.uk/2021/04/13/identify-mugwort/ - Stetzenbach, M. and Schnorbus, B. and Sagoschen, I. and Bleser, W. and Legner, D. and Sturer, A (2017) 'Acute Monkshood Intoxication Requiring Acute Resuscitation', Anasthesiologie Intensivmedizin Notfallmedizin Schmerztherapie, 52(9), pp. 641-644. doi:10.1055/s-0043-106283 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-106283
- Geissler, M., Neubauer, C., Sheludko, Y.V. and Warzecha, H (2024) 'Nepeta cataria L. (catnip) can serve as a chassis for the engineering of secondary metabolic pathways', Biotechnology Letters, 46(5), pp. 843-850. doi:10.1007/s10529-024-03489-w Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-024-03489-w - Lockhart, A., Simon, J.E. and Wu, Q (2024) 'Stability study of Nepeta cataria iridoids analyzed by LC/MS', Phytochemical Analysis, 35(7), pp. 1674-1687. doi:10.1002/pca.3410 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/pca.3410 - Nadeem, A., Shahzad, H., Ahmed, B., Muntean, T. and others (2022) 'Phytochemical profiling of antimicrobial and potential antioxidant plant: Nepeta cataria', Frontiers in Plant Science, 13, pp. 969316. doi:10.3389/fpls.2022.969316 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.969316 - Tan, J., Li, J., Ma, J. and Qiao, F (2019) 'Hepatoprotective effect of essential oils of Nepeta cataria L. on acetaminophen-induced liver dysfunction', Bioscience Reports, 39(8), pp. BSR20190697. doi:10.1042/BSR20190697 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1042/BSR20190697 - Mollova, S., Dzhurmanski, A., Fidan, H., Bojilov, D. and others (2023) 'Chemical Composition of Essential Oils from Nepeta cataria L. Cultivated in Bulgaria and Their Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity', ACS Omega, 8(17), pp. 15441-15449. doi:10.1021/acsomega.3c00704 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.3c00704 - Reichert, W., Ejercito, J., Guda, T., Dong, X. and others (2019) 'Repellency Assessment of Nepeta cataria Essential Oils and Isolated Nepetalactones on Aedes aegypti', Scientific Reports, 9(1), pp. 1524. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-36814-1 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-36814-1 - Tiwari, G., Chaturvedi, T., Gupta, A.K., Lal, R.K. and others (2023) 'Assessment of Genetic Diversity, Micromorphology and Antimicrobial Activity in Nepeta cataria L', Chemistry & Biodiversity, 20(2), pp. e202200241. doi:10.1002/cbdv.202200241 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202200241 - Giarratana, F., Muscolino, D., Ziino, G., Lo Presti, V. and others (2017) 'Activity of Catmint (Nepeta cataria) essential oil against Anisakis larvae', Tropical Biomedicine, 34(1), pp. 22-31. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33592976/ Preclinical
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33592976/ - Sarkar, M., Rashmi, R., Vikramaditya and Varma, P.N (1995) 'Pharmacognosy of Nepeta cataria', Ancient Science of Life, 14(4), pp. 225-234. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22556702/ Traditional / reference
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22556702/ - Bernardi, M.M., Kirsten, T.B., Lago, J.H.G., Giovani, T.M. and Massoco, C.O (2011) 'Nepeta cataria L. var. citriodora (Becker) increases penile erection in rats', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 137(3), pp. 1318-1322. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2011.07.061 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2011.07.061 - Health Canada, Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (2026) 'Natural Health Product Monograph: Catnip - Nepeta cataria'. Available at: https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/dbImages/mono_catnip_english.pdf Traditional / reference
https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/dbImages/mono_catnip_english.pdf - British Herbal Medicine Association (1983) 'British Herbal Pharmacopoeia'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=British%20Herbal%20Pharmacopoeia - Gilani, A.H., Shah, A.J., Zubair, A., Khalid, S., Kiani, J., Ahmed, A., Rasheed, M. and Ahmad, V.U (2009) 'Chemical composition and mechanisms underlying the spasmolytic and bronchodilatory properties of the essential oil of Nepeta cataria L', 121(3), pp. 405--411. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2008.11.004 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2008.11.004 - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar, M. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2024) 'Therapeutic potential of hypnotic herbal medicines: A comprehensive review', Phytotherapy Research, 38(6), pp. 3037-3059. doi:10.1002/ptr.8201 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.8201 - Block, K.I., Gyllenhaal, C. and Mead, M.N (2004) 'Safety and efficacy of herbal sedatives in cancer care', Integrative Cancer Therapies, 3(2), pp. 128-148. doi:10.1177/1534735404265003 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735404265003
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.