Plant Comparison

Mugwort vs Selfheal

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.

First plant
Second plant
Show:
Plant AMugwortArtemisia vulgarisAsteraceaeFull monograph →
Plant BSelfhealPrunella vulgarisLamiaceaeFull monograph →

At a glance

Mugwort and Selfheal: they share 6 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, cancer (anticancer research), infection (general), …); 4 pharmacological actions in common.

MugwortSelfheal
Constituents32
Pharmacological actions710
Indicated uses1112
Safety notes22
Cited sources2137
Indicated uses
Only Mugwort
BloatingIndigestionInsomnia / sleeplessnessMenstrual crampsMuscle spasm
Shared (6)
Arthritis / joint painCancer (anticancer research)Infection (general)Inflammation (general)Skin irritationWounds
Only Selfheal
BruisingCold & fluImmune supportBlood sugar / diabetes supportCardiovascular / heart healthCognitive function
Pharmacological actions
Only Mugwort
AntispasmodicDigestive aidSedative / sleep support
Shared (4)
Anti-inflammatoryAnticancer (preclinical)AntimicrobialAntioxidant
Only Selfheal
AntiviralImmunomodulator / immune supportVulnerary (wound healing)Neuroprotective / cognition supportHepatoprotective (liver support)Antidiabetic (blood-sugar lowering)

Evidence face-off — shared uses

ConditionMugwortSelfhealVerdict
Arthritis / joint pain1/102/10Comparable evidence
Cancer (anticancer research)2/107/10Stronger for Selfheal
Infection (general)1/102/10Comparable evidence
Inflammation (general)1/102/10Comparable evidence
Skin irritation1/102/10Comparable evidence
Wounds1/102/10Comparable 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

Sesquiterpenoids and triterpenoids[1]

Multiple undescribed and known sesquiterpenoids and triterpenoids isolated from the leaves, several with anti-inflammatory activity.

SesquiterpenesTerpenes / terpenoids
Essential oil (thujone, cineole, camphor)[3]

Volatile oil containing thujone and other monoterpenes; thujone content is the basis of the caution on prolonged internal use.

Essential (volatile) oil1,8-Cineole (eucalyptol)CamphorTerpenes / terpenoids
Flavonoids and coumarins[3]

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory flavonoid and coumarin constituents.

FlavonoidsCoumarins
Triterpenoids and phenolic acids[1, 3]

Pentacyclic triterpenoids (ursolic, oleanolic and betulinic acids), the phenolic acid rosmarinic acid, coumarins (umbelliferone, scopoletin, esculetin) and the flavonoid luteolin are the main bioactives behind self-heal's antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity.

Rosmarinic acidPhenolic acidsCoumarinsFlavonoidsLuteolin
Sulphated and polyphenol-conjugated polysaccharides[4, 29, 30, 31]

Water-extracted polysaccharides — including a partially sulphated arabinogalactomannan (PSP-2B) and polyphenolic-protein-polysaccharide conjugates (PVG/PVE30) — are the principal antiviral and immunomodulatory constituents, blocking herpes simplex virus attachment and modulating innate immune signalling.

PolysaccharidesPhenolic compounds

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory[1, 3, 4, 5, 14, 15, 16]
Anticancer (preclinical)[3, 10, 11, 12]

Artemisia vulgaris (mugwort) extracts inhibit BCR/ABL and induce apoptosis, ferroptosis and necroptosis in chronic myeloid leukaemia and breast cancer cells (preclinical).

Antimicrobial[3, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16]
Antioxidant[14, 15, 16]
Antispasmodic[14, 15, 16]

Antispasmodic (cramp easing)

Digestive aid[4, 14, 15, 16]
Sedative / sleep support[14, 15, 16]
Anti-inflammatory[1, 2, 3, 4, 12, 15, 18, 20, 26, 27, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35]
Antimicrobial[1, 3, 32, 33, 34]
Antioxidant[1, 2, 5, 9, 12, 17, 32, 33, 34]
Antiviral[2, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36]
Immunomodulator / immune support[4, 5, 9, 10, 15, 23, 26, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36]
Vulnerary (wound healing)[1, 27, 32, 33, 34]
Anticancer (preclinical)[6, 7, 10, 13, 14, 16, 21, 22, 28]
Neuroprotective / cognition support[11, 25]
Hepatoprotective (liver support)[12, 16, 17]
Antidiabetic (blood-sugar lowering)[19, 20, 24]

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain[14, 15, 16]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1
Label: Arthritis / joint pain
Bloating[14, 15, 16]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from digestive action

Evidence: 1
Label: Bloating
Cancer (anticancer research)[3, 10, 11, 12]Traditional · 2/10

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).

Evidence: 2
Label: Cancer (anticancer research)
Indigestion[14, 15, 16]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from digestive action

Evidence: 1
Label: Indigestion
Infection (general)[14, 15, 16]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 1
Label: Infection (general)
Inflammation (general)[14, 15, 16]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1
Label: Inflammation (general)
Insomnia / sleeplessness[14, 15, 16]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from sedative action

Evidence: 1
Label: Insomnia / sleeplessness
Menstrual cramps[14, 15, 16]Traditional · 1/10
Evidence: 1
Label: Menstrual cramps
Muscle spasm[14, 15, 16]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antispasmodic action

Evidence: 1
Label: Muscle spasm
Skin irritation[14, 15, 16]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1
Label: Skin irritation
Wounds[14, 15, 16]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 1
Label: Wounds
Arthritis / joint pain[1, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 2
Label: Arthritis / joint pain
Bruising[1, 32, 33, 34]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from vulnerary action

Evidence: 2
Label: Bruising
Cold & flu[29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from antiviral action

Evidence: 2
Label: Cold & flu
Immune support[10, 15, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36]Traditional · 2/10
Evidence: 2
Label: Immune support
Infection (general)[1, 32, 33, 34]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 2
Label: Infection (general)
Inflammation (general)[1, 12, 15, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 2
Label: Inflammation (general)
Skin irritation[1, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 2
Label: Skin irritation
Wounds[1, 27, 32, 33, 34]Traditional · 2/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 2
Label: Wounds
Cancer (anticancer research)[6, 7, 10, 13, 14, 16, 21, 22, 28]Good · 7/10

inferred from anticancer action

Evidence: 7
Label: Cancer (anticancer research)
Blood sugar / diabetes support[19, 20, 24]Traditional · 2/10
Evidence: 2
Label: Blood sugar / diabetes support
Cardiovascular / heart health[18, 19]Traditional · 2/10
Evidence: 2
Label: Cardiovascular / heart health
Cognitive function[25]Traditional · 2/10
Evidence: 2
Label: Cognitive function

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note[14, 15, 16]Caution

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.

Safety note[14, 15, 16, 17]Caution

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).

Safety note[32, 33, 34]Caution

Generally very safe and well tolerated. No significant known toxicity or drug interactions. Safe for topical and internal use in normal medicinal doses. Suitable for most adults including children in appropriate doses.

Safety note[32, 33, 34, 37]Info

Duke (2002) rates self-heal as +++ and notes antioxidant (score 2), anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and COX-2 inhibitory activities. The plant contains luteolin, rosmarinic acid, and hyperoside — all with well-documented bioactivities. Hepatoprotective activity has been experimentally demonstrated. Duke notes that self-heal has a broad antimicrobial spectrum and an impressive antioxidant profile, supporting its traditional reputation as a versatile wound-healing herb. No significant safety concerns at normal herbal doses (Duke, 2002).

External Ids

Gbif: 3120946
Wikidata: Q26663
Gbif: 5341297
Wikidata: Q158469

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]

Height: 60-150 cm
Habit: Tall, erect, aromatic perennial herb
Leaves: Deeply lobed, dark green above, distinctively silvery-white woolly beneath
Flowers: Small, dull reddish-brown to yellowish flower heads in dense, branched, leafy spikes
Stem: Reddish-brown, ridged, often woody at the base
Root: Woody, spreading rhizome
Fruit: Small achene without pappus
Flowering Period: July-September

Low, creeping to semi-erect perennial herb (Lamiaceae), 5-30 cm tall, with square, often purplish stems. Leaves are opposite, ovate with slightly toothed margins. Small, two-lipped, violet-purple flowers are densely packed into a compact, club-shaped terminal spike subtended by purplish bracts.[1]

Height: 5-30 cm
Habit: Low, creeping to semi-erect perennial herb
Leaves: Opposite, ovate, slightly toothed
Flowers: Small, two-lipped, violet-purple, in a compact club-shaped terminal spike
Stem: Square, often purplish
Root: Fibrous, spreading perennial rootstock
Fruit: Four small nutlets (typical Lamiaceae schizocarp)
Flowering Period: June-September

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 throughout Europe, Asia and North America (circumboreal), extremely common in lawns, meadows, woodland clearings, roadsides and waste ground, tolerating mowing and a wide range of soils.[1]

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]

Parts: Leaf, Root, Stem
Season: Summer for aerial parts; autumn for root

Whole flowering aerial parts (flower, leaf and stem) are cut during flowering (summer) and dried.[1]

Parts: Flower, Leaf, Stem
Season: Summer, during flowering

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]

Selfheal has an extremely broad folk-medicine reputation across European, North American and Traditional Chinese Medicine traditions - as its name suggests, used as an all-purpose wound herb, gargle for sore throat, and internal remedy for fevers and inflammation. Modern research on its triterpenoid, phenolic and polysaccharide constituents supports wide-ranging antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiviral activity.[1]

Preparations

Infusion[3]

Dried leaf and flowering tops infused in hot water as a bitter digestive and calming tea.

Moxa (external heat therapy)[3]

Dried, processed leaf ('moxa') burned near or on the skin over acupuncture points in traditional East Asian moxibustion.

Infusion (tea)[1]

Dried aerial parts steeped in hot water, taken internally or used as a gargle or wash.

Dosage

Infusion[13]

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.

Infusion (tea)[1]

Traditional guidance suggests roughly 2-4 g dried herb per cup as an infusion, up to three times daily, or an equivalent tincture; used topically as a wash or gargle at similar strength. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

References

REF-0731, REF-0732, REF-0733, REF-1935, REF-1936, REF-1937, REF-1938, REF-1939, REF-1940, REF-1941, REF-1942, REF-1943
REF-0659, REF-2422, REF-2423, REF-2424, REF-2425, REF-2878, REF-2879, REF-2880, REF-2881, REF-2882, REF-2883, REF-2884, REF-2885, REF-2886, REF-2887, REF-2888, REF-2911, REF-2912, REF-2913, REF-2914, REF-2915, REF-2916, REF-2917, REF-2918, REF-2919, REF-2920, REF-2921, REF-2922

Drug Class Interactions

Safety note[18, 19]Caution
Drug Class: sedatives-cns-depressants
Mechanism: Mugwort is traditionally used as a calming, sedative herb; taken with sedatives, sleeping tablets or other central-nervous-system depressants (including alcohol) it may add to drowsiness and slowed reactions.
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03

Not documented

Lookalikes Review

Outcome: has-lookalikes
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07
Outcome: none-known
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07

Dangerous Lookalikes

Safety note[20, 21]Fatal
Dangerous Plant: aconitum-napellus
Confused Part: Young deeply lobed leaves gathered for use; young monkshood - the most poisonous plant in Europe - has similar deeply divided leaves.
Confusion Context: Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) is foraged for its aromatic, deeply lobed leaves. As Totally Wild UK warns, it would be a very deadly mistake to confuse young mugwort with monkshood (Aconitum napellus), whose young leaves are similarly deeply divided. Monkshood is considered the most poisonous plant in Europe: all parts contain aconitine, the lethal dose is only 2-6 mg, and poisoning can kill within hours through respiratory and cardiac failure - the toxin is even absorbed through the skin. Although monkshood is less common, its extreme toxicity makes this confusion critical to avoid.
Distinguishing Features: Leaf underside (decisive): mugwort leaves have a distinctive silvery-white woolly underside. Monkshood leaves are green and hairless on both sides, with no silver felt. No silver underside = not mugwort., Flowers: mugwort has small, dull reddish-brown flower spikes; monkshood has tall spikes of unmistakable hooded blue-purple flowers., Handling: do not handle a suspected monkshood with bare hands - aconitine can be absorbed through the skin.
Key Test: Turn the leaf over. A silvery-white woolly underside (with small dull flowers) = mugwort. Green, hairless undersides - and especially any hooded blue-purple flowers - mean monkshood, the most poisonous plant in Europe; do not gather or even handle it with bare hands.
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07

Not documented

References & Sources

  1. 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
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  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
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  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. Becker, H (1986) 'Botany of European Artemisia species', pp. 1--24. Traditional / reference
    https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Botany%20of%20European%20Artemisia%20species
  15. Grieve, M (1931) 'A Modern Herbal'. Traditional / reference
    https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=A%20Modern%20Herbal
  16. 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
  17. 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
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    https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735404265003
  20. Totally Wild UK 'Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) Identification'. Available at: https://totallywilduk.co.uk/2021/04/13/identify-mugwort/ Traditional / reference
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  21. 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
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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.