Plant Profile

Mugwort

Compiled by the Omnia Sana editorial team from the plant database ·Last updated August 14, 2026

Artemisia vulgaris

Family: Asteraceae · Parts used: Leaf, Root, Stem · Also known as: common mugwort, sailor's tobacco

The complete database record: 3 documented constituents, 7 pharmacological actions, 11 traditional / indicated uses, with 23 cited sources.

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

Habitat & Distribution

A common plant of waste ground, roadsides, hedgerows and riverbanks; native to Europe, Asia and North Africa and widely naturalised in North America.^[3]

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

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

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory^{[1, 3, 4, 5, 16, 17, 18]}

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, 16, 17, 18]}

Antioxidant^{[16, 17, 18]}

Antispasmodic^{[16, 17, 18]}

Antispasmodic (cramp easing)

Digestive aid^{[4, 16, 17, 18]}

Sedative / sleep support^{[16, 17, 18]}

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain^{[17, 18]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0023

Evidence: 1

Label: Arthritis / joint pain

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Bloating^{[17, 18]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from digestive action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0023

Evidence: 1

Label: Bloating

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Cancer (anticancer research)^{[3, 10, 11, 12]}Preliminary · 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)

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Indigestion^{[17, 18]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from digestive action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0023

Evidence: 1

Label: Indigestion

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Infection (general)^{[17, 18]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0023

Evidence: 1

Label: Infection (general)

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Inflammation (general)^{[17, 18]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0023

Evidence: 1

Label: Inflammation (general)

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Insomnia / sleeplessness^{[17, 18]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from sedative action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0023

Evidence: 1

Label: Insomnia / sleeplessness

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Menstrual cramps^{[17, 18]}Preliminary · 1/10

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0023

Evidence: 1

Label: Menstrual cramps

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Muscle spasm^{[17, 18]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from antispasmodic action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0023

Evidence: 1

Label: Muscle spasm

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Skin irritation^{[17, 18]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0023

Evidence: 1

Label: Skin irritation

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Wounds^{[17, 18]}Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0023, REF-1937

Evidence: 1

Label: Wounds

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Traditional Use & History

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]

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.

Dosage

Infusion^[15]

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.

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[16, 17, 18]}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^{[16, 17, 18, 19]}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).

Herb-Drug Interactions

Sedatives Cns Depressants^{[20, 21]}Caution

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

Dangerous Lookalikes

Aconitum Napellus^{[22, 23]}Fatal

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

Harvest Readiness

^{[13, 14]}

Part: leaf

Signals: Gather the leaves with the leafy flowering shoots when the plant is in flower (late summer)., SAFETY: mugwort can be confused with the FATAL monkshood (Aconitum napellus); confirm identity before gathering - see this plant's Dangerous Lookalikes.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: the plant was gathered when in flower and dried

Independent Confirmation: Useful Temperate Plants (REF-3209) independently gives the same late-summer aerial harvest: 'The leaves are harvested in August and can be dried for later use'.

Species Confirmed: 1

^{[13, 14]}

Part: stem

Signals: Cut the leafy flowering stems with the herb when the plant is in flower (late summer)., SAFETY: confirm identity before gathering - mugwort can be confused with the FATAL monkshood (Aconitum napellus). See this plant's Dangerous Lookalikes.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: the plant was gathered when in flower and dried

Independent Confirmation: Useful Temperate Plants (REF-3209) gives the same aerial harvest window: 'The leaves are harvested in August and can be dried for later use'.

Species Confirmed: 1

^{[13, 14]}

Part: root

Signals: Dig the root in autumn, as the aerial parts die back., SAFETY: confirm identity before digging - mugwort can be confused with the FATAL monkshood (Aconitum napellus), whose root is deadly. See this plant's Dangerous Lookalikes.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: the root, dug in autumn and dried

Independent Confirmation: Useful Temperate Plants (REF-3209) independently gives 'The roots are harvested in the autumn and dried for later use'.

Species Confirmed: 1

External Identifiers

GBIF ›Wikidata ›

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
Grieve, M (1931) 'Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) — A Modern Herbal'. Available at: https://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/mugwor61.html Traditional / reference
https://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/mugwor61.html
Fern, Ken 'Artemisia vulgaris (Mugwort) — Useful Temperate Plants'. Available at: https://temperate.theferns.info/plant/Artemisia+vulgaris Traditional / reference
https://temperate.theferns.info/plant/Artemisia+vulgaris
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

Selected studies & references

ReviewTherapeutic potential of hypnotic herbal medicines: A comprehensive review source↗ (2024)

ReviewSignificance of Artemisia vulgaris L. (Common Mugwort) in the History of Medicine and Its Possible Contemporary Applications Substantiated by Phytochemical and Pharmacological Studies source↗ (2020)

ReviewTherapeutic potential of Artemisia vulgaris: An insight into underlying immunological mechanisms source↗ (2019)

ReviewSafety and efficacy of herbal sedatives in cancer care source↗ (2004)

PreclinicalA study on the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity of the Artemisia vulgaris L. extract and its fractions source↗ (2024)

PreclinicalAntiviral activities of Artemisia vulgaris L. extract against herpes simplex virus source↗ (2023)

PreclinicalArtemisia vulgaris Induces Tumor-Selective Ferroptosis and Necroptosis via Lysosomal Ca2+ Signaling source↗ (2023)

PreclinicalEthanolic Extract of Artemisia vulgaris Leaf Promotes Apoptotic Cell Death in Non-Small-Cell Lung Carcinoma A549 Cells through Inhibition of the Wnt Signaling Pathway source↗ (2023)

All 18 studies in the Knowledge Finder →

Educational use only. This profile summarises traditional and scientific sources for reference. It is not medical advice and not a substitute for a qualified practitioner. Some plants carry safety cautions and drug interactions - always check before use.
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