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Other common
name(s): ai ye, St. John's plant, common wormwood, wild
wormwood
Scientific/medical
name(s): Artemisia
vulgaris
Description
Mugwort is a perennial plant that is a member of the daisy
family and a relative of ragweed. It is native to Asia and Europe and
now grows as a weed in North America. It can grow to 6 feet tall, with
stalks of small reddish-brown or yellow flowers in summer. The dried
leaves and roots of the plant are used in herbal remedies. Mugwort
should not be confused with St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
or wormwood (Artemisia
absinthium), despite their similar names.
Overview
Available scientific evidence does not support claims that
mugwort is effective in treating gastrointestinal problems or any other
medical condition, including cancer.
How is it promoted for use?
Mugwort is promoted to treat stomach and intestinal disorders
such as colic, persistent vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, flatulence,
and cramps. The herb has also been promoted as a treatment for a wide
range of other conditions, including headaches, nose bleeds, muscle
spasms, epilepsy, circulatory problems, menopausal and menstrual
complaints, chills, fever, rheumatism, asthma, dermatitis, dysentery,
gout, and infertility. Proponents also claim mugwort oil has
antibacterial and antifungal properties and can be used to treat worm
infestations and snakebites.
Some proponents claim mugwort is a sedative and use it to
treat neuroses, hysteria, general irritability, restlessness, insomnia,
anxiety, mild depression, anorexia, and opium addiction. Dried mugwort,
or moxa, is used in moxibustion treatments to treat cancer (see Moxibustion).
What does it involve?
Mugwort is available as a mixture of dried leaves and roots,
an extract, tincture, tea, and in pill form. Mugwort can also be used
as a poultice. It is also used in North American flower remedies and
made into homeopathic preparations (see Homeopathy).
It is on the Commission E (Germany's regulatory agency for herbs) list
of unapproved herbs. This means that it is not recommended for use
because it has not been proven safe and effective.
What is the history behind it?
Herbalists have prescribed mugwort to treat many different
conditions over the years. The Chinese have also used dried mugwort
leaves (and sometimes leaves of other Artemisia species),
or moxa, in moxibustion for centuries. In the middle ages in England,
mugwort was sometimes worn on St. John’s Eve and was thought
to protect the wearer from evil possession. Young women were told to
sew mugwort into a small piece of cloth and place it under their
pillows to induce vivid dreams. In the 1830s, Portuguese sailors
introduced mugwort to France, where it became popular as a treatment
for blindness and other illnesses. Mugwort has also been used as a tea,
a beer flavoring, and occasionally as a spice for meats.
What is the evidence?
Research on mugwort has focused on its properties related to
allergic sensitivities, which are similar to those of the American
ragweed. Little research has been done on the use of mugwort as a
medical treatment, although an extract (artemisinin) from another
member of the Artemisia family (Artemisia
annua) is used in conventional medicine as a treatment for
malaria. There have only been a few preliminary laboratory studies and
case reports of the potential of Artemisia species in treating cancer,
but most of these studies involve other Artemisia species (Artemisia annua, Artemisia asiatica, and Artemisia princeps) rather
than mugwort. There is no convincing clinical evidence available to
support any of the claims made for mugwort as a treatment for people
with cancer, including claims about the anticancer effectiveness of
moxibustion.
Are there any possible problems or
complications?
This product is sold as a
dietary supplement in the United States. Unlike companies that produce
drugs (which must provide the FDA with results of detailed testing
showing their product is safe and effective before the drug is approved
for sale), the companies that make supplements do not have to show
evidence of safety or health benefits to the FDA before selling their
products. Supplement products without any reliable scientific evidence
of health benefits may still be sold as long as the companies selling
them do not claim the supplements can prevent, treat, or cure any
specific disease. Some such products may not contain the amount of the
herb or substance that is written on the label, and some may include
other substances (contaminants). Though the FDA has written new rules
to improve the quality of manufacturing processes for dietary
supplements and the accurate listing of supplement ingredients, these
rules do not take full effect until 2010. And, the new rules do not
address the safety of supplement ingredients or their effects on health
when proper manufacturing techniques are used.
Most such
supplements have not been tested to find out if they interact with
medicines, foods, or other herbs and supplements. Even though some
reports of interactions and harmful effects may be published, full
studies of interactions and effects are not often available. Because of
these limitations, any information on ill effects and interactions
below should be considered incomplete.
Mugwort is generally considered safe. Mugwort pollen is known
to cause hay fever. On rare occasions, it can cause reactions ranging
from rashes to severe, life-threatening symptoms. Mugwort allergy also
appears to be related to several food allergies. Women who are pregnant
or breast-feeding should not use this herb. In addition, the potential
interactions between mugwort and other drugs and herbs should be
considered. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you
are taking. Relying on this type of treatment alone and avoiding or
delaying conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health
consequences.
Additional Resources
More information from your American Cancer
Society
The following information on complementary and alternative
therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be found on
our Web site (www.cancer.org)
or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
Anliker MD, Borelli S, Wüthrich B. Occupational
protein contact dermatitis from spices in a butcher: a new presentation
of the mugwort-spice syndrome. Contact
Dermatitis. 2002;46:72-74.
Berger TG, Dieckmann D, Efferth T, Schultz ES, Funk JO, Baur
A, Schuler G. Artesunate in the treatment of metastatic uveal
melanoma--first experiences. Oncol
Rep. 2005;14:1599-1603.
Blumenthal M, ed. The
Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal
Medicines. Austin, TX: American Botanical Council; 1998.
Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Professional's
Handbook of Complementary & Alternative Medicines.
Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2004.
Gruenwald J. PDR
for Herbal Medicines. 3rd ed. Montvale, NJ: Thomson PDR;
2004.
Hsu E. Reflections on the 'discovery' of the antimalarial
qinghao. British J Clin
Pharmacol. 2006;61:666-670.
Kim MJ, Kim DH, Na HK, Oh TY, Shin CY, Surh Ph D Professor YJ.
Eupatilin, a pharmacologically active flavone derived from Artemisia
plants, induces apoptosis in human gastric cancer (AGS) cells. J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol.
2005;24:261-269.
Kurzen M, Bayerl C, Goerdt S. Occupational allergy to mugwort
[German] [Abstract]. J
Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2003;1:285-290.
Lee HG, Yu KA, Oh WK, Baeg TW, Oh HC, Ahn JS, Jang WC, Kim JW,
Lim JS, Choe YK, Yoon DY. Inhibitory effect of jaceosidin isolated from
Artemisiaargyi on the function of E6 and E7 oncoproteins of HPV 16. J Ethnopharmacol.
2005;98:339-343.
Mueller MS, Runyambo N, Wagner I, Borrmann S, Dietz K, Heide
L. Randomized controlled trial of a traditional preparation of
Artemisia annua L. (Annual Wormwood) in the treatment of malaria. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg.
2004;98:318-321.
Mugwort. PDRhealth Web site.
http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/herbaldrugs/101960.shtml.
Accessed April 25, 2007. Content no longer available.
Sarath VJ, So CS, Won YD, Gollapudi S. Artemisia princeps var
orientalis induces apoptosis in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Anticancer Res.
2007;27:3891-3898.
Wopfner N, Gadermaier G, Egger M, Asero R, Ebner C,
Jahn-Schmid B, Ferreira F. The spectrum of allergens in ragweed and
mugwort pollen. Int
Arch Allergy Immunol. 2005;138:337-346. Epub 2005 Oct 24.
Note: This information may not cover
all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or
interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be
relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is
familiar with your medical situation.
Last Medical Review: 11/01/2008
Last Revised: 11/01/2008
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