Last update July 31, 2017

Mugwort

Limited compatibility

Unsafe. Moderate/severe adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Use safer alternative or discontinue breastfeeding from 5 to 7 T ½ . Read Commentary.

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). There is very little literature on its properties. It supposedly has uterus-stimulating 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:
1. Ensure that they are from a reliable source: poisoning has occurred due to confusing one plant with another with toxic properties, as well as poisoning from heavy metals extracted from the ground and food poisoning due to contamination with bacteria or fungi.
2. Do not take in large amounts; follow recommendations from professional experts in phytotherapy. "Natural" products are not always good in any quantity: plants contain active substances from which much of our traditional pharmacopoeia has been obtained and can result in poisoning or act as endocrine disruptors if taken in excessive amounts or time periods.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.

Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.

Other names

Mugwort is also known as


Mugwort in other languages or writings:

Group

Mugwort belongs to this group or family:

References

  1. Fitoterapia.net. Vanaclocha B, Cañigueral S. Fitoterapia.net. 1992 - - Disponible en: https://www.fitoterapia.net. Consulted on Dec. 21, 2023 Abstract
  2. de Boer HJ, Cotingting C. Medicinal plants for women's healthcare in southeast Asia: a meta-analysis of their traditional use, chemical constituents, and pharmacology. J Ethnopharmacol. 2014 Abstract
  3. Kim JH, Jung SH, Yang YI, Ahn JH, Cho JG, Lee KT, Baek NI, Choi JH. Artemisia leaf extract induces apoptosis in human endometriotic cells through regulation of the p38 and NFκB pathways. J Ethnopharmacol. 2013 Abstract
  4. Linda Skidmore-Roth. Mosby's Handbook of Herbs & Natural Supplements. 4th Edition. 2010
  5. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, Gruenwald J, Hall T, Riggins CW, Rister RS, editors. The American Botanical Council. The Complete German Commission E Monographs. Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Integrative Medicine Com; Boston, MA, USA: 1998

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