Mugwort

The flowering tops and root of the plant are used. It contains potentially toxic products such as camphor, eucalyptol, thujone and sesquiterpene lactones. It is a plant that is traditionally used to treat women’s illnesses or health issues ^{(de Boer 2014, Kim 2013)}, without it being possible to prove its effectiveness ^{(Blumenthal German Commission E 1998)}. It supposedly has uterus-stimulating properties, but there is very little literature on its properties.

Since the last update we have not found published data on its excretion in breast milk.

Given the lack of evidence of its efficacy and potential toxic effects, its general use is discouraged and even more so in children and pregnant or breastfeeding mothers. ^{(Skidmore 2010, Blumenthal German Commission E 1998)}

Not to be confused with several other species of the same Artemisia genus.

Precautions when taking plant preparations. ^{(Anderson 2017, Powers 2015, Posadzki 2013, Efferth 2011, Kopec 1999, Hsu 1995)}:

• Make sure they are from a reliable source: Poisonings have occurred from mistaking one plant for another with toxic properties ^{(Cornara 2018, Hsu 1995)}, poisonings due to heavy metals that the plants extract from the soil, and food poisonings from contamination with bacteria or fungi. ^{(Anderson 2017)}
• Do not take in excess; follow recommendations from expert phytotherapy professionals. “Natural” products are not good in any quantity: plants contain active substances from which much of our traditional pharmacopoeia has been obtained and can cause intoxications or act as endocrine disruptors if consumed in exaggerated quantity or time, as they contain phytoestrogens. ^{(Powers 2015, Zava 1998)}