Other Name
Altamisa, Armoise, Armoise Citronnelle, Armoise Commune, Armoise Vulgaire, Artémise, Artemisia, Artemisia Vulgaris, Artemisiae Vulgaris Herba, Artemisiae Vulgaris Radix, Carline Thistle, Felon Herb, Gemeiner Beifuss, Herbe aux Cent Goûts, Herbe de Feu, Herbe de la Saint-Jean, Herbe Royale, Hierba de San Juan, Nagadamni, Remise, Sailor's Tobacco, St. John's Plant, Tabac de Saint-Pierre, Wild Wormwood.
What is Mugwort Tea?
Mugwort tea has been in use for thousands of years in a number of different cultures, ranging from Europe to China, and has long been praised for its medicinal benefits. It was also the key ingredient in brewing beer for centuries before using hops came into favor. Scientifically known as Artemisia vulgaris, the mugwort plant is a tall shrub that is closely related to sunflowers, and its leaves, flowers, and roots are all used for their nutrient content. The specific benefits of mugwort tea are mainly due to the possible presence of flavonoids, triterpenes, and other antioxidant compounds, as well as possibly vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin E, potassium, iron, calcium, and various B-family vitamins. [rx]
Mugwort Tea Health Benefits
Drinking mugwort tea might be beneficial for people suffering from insomnia, anxiety, painful menstruations, digestive issues, obesity, weak immunity, depression, inflammation, colds, coughs, flu, respiratory infections, and kidney problems.

Moxibustion - In traditional Asian medicine, mugwort or wormwood is used in a process called moxibustion. Mugwort or wormwood leaves are formed into sticks or cones about the size and shape of a cigar and then burned on or over an acupuncture point to release energy. Moxibustion has been practiced for more than 3,000 years in China, and advocates claim that it can strengthen and warm your blood and life energy, and treat inflammations and cancers. This study shows how moxa smoke can improve the autonomic nervous system and induce a relaxing effect on the body. Moxibustion is also used to treat menstrual cramping and to help a baby in the breech position turn. According to this [rx], the practice does appear to increase fetal movements, helping the baby turn to a normal head-down, or cephalic, position. However, the authors conclude that more research needs to be done to determine moxibustion’s real effectiveness.

One 2012 review suggests that this can be either alone or in combination with acupuncture or postural techniques. A 2019 review [rx] also notes that moxibustion resulted in a decreased use of oxytocin compared with no treatment. Oxytocin reduces stress, calms a person down, and helps with pain during labor. The fact that it was less needed when a person used moxibustion is significant.

Might Help with Anxiety and Depression - With its powerful nervine qualities, mugwort tea might be very good for treating anxiety, depression, and chronic stress levels. This might help relieve stress on your nervous and metabolic system and may improve your quality of life if anxiety is something you experience on a daily basis. [rx]
Possible Weight Loss - With a possible range of B-family vitamins in this herbal tea, you might significantly boost your metabolism and might increase passive fat-burning. This may help with weight loss efforts and might help your body operate at a higher level of energy and efficiency. [rx]
Might Help Indigestion - Mugwort tea might have been used to settle the stomach and ease indigestion for generations. It might stimulate the appetite, reduce bloating and cramping, and may counter unpleasant conditions like constipation and diarrhea. Some of the active compounds might also stimulate the production of bile, which can speed digestion. [rx]
May Relieve Menstrual Pain - One of the major uses of mugwort tea might be in the treatment of dysmenorrhea, more commonly known as menstrual cramps. It might also stimulate and regulate menstruation and support the body as it changes through menopause. However, it should be avoided by women who are pregnant, as the stimulation of menses might cause miscarriage and trigger premature labor. [rx]
May have Diuretic Properties - The possible diuretic properties of mugwort tea mean that it stimulates urination, which can be the body’s best means of eliminating toxins. Mugwort tea might also be linked to cleansing the kidneys and bladder, and maybe reducing the chances of infection and improving function. It can also stimulate sweating, which might further eliminate toxins from the body through the skin. [rx]
Immune System - The possible high concentration of vitamin C and other active antioxidants might make this tea an excellent choice for boosting the immune system. Vitamin C might stimulate the production of white blood cells, and also can act as an antioxidant, which can neutralize free radicals that cause inflammation and weaken the body’s defenses. [7]
Might Improve Vision Health - Vitamin A might be found in mugwort tea and may act as a strong antioxidant for vision health. More specifically, this beta carotene-derived vitamin might be able to prevent macular degeneration and slow the development of cataracts. [rx]
May Increase the Bone Mineral Density - Traditional beliefs hold that mugwort tea might be an excellent mineralizer for the bones, might help to increase bone mineral density and may prevent age-related bone disorders, such as osteoporosis. The possible high levels of potassium, iron, and calcium found in this tea can help support this benefit. [rx]
Vivid Dreams - For centuries, mugwort tea was praised for its “psychic” and even “hallucinogenic” properties and has long been used to stimulate vivid dreams. It is purportedly able to help you remember dreams as well, and experience those rare lucid dreams that are so few and far between. [rx]

Insufficient Evidence for

Thick, raised scars (hypertrophic scars). Developing research suggests that applying a lotion containing mugwort and menthol directly to the skin relieves itching in severe burn victims.
Stomach problems (colic, diarrhea, cramps, constipation, slow digestion, vomiting).
Epilepsy.
Irregular menstrual periods.
Low energy
Anxiety.
Diarrhea.
Constipation.
Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea).
Excessive crying in infants (colic)
Nausea and vomiting.
High blood pressure.
Seizure disorder (epilepsy).
To promote labor.
Depression.
Hypochondria.
Insomnia.
Other conditions.

Mugwort has been used for its medicinal properties and in food for thousands of years. Although more research needs to be done, studies show that it’s beneficial in the process of moxibustion to treat the nervous system and to help with a breech birth. It’s also used to relieve menstrual cramps and to stimulate a woman’s menstrual cycle, and also to treat various gastrointestinal issues.

Talk to your doctor or someone trained in herbal medicine first if you want to try mugwort as a complementary health approach. Be sure to tell them about any allergies you have, as some people may be allergic to mugwort. Information on credentials and licensing of herbalists is available on the website of the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
Uses and Side Effects
Mugwort tea is used around the world and is naturalized in most countries due to its popularity, but there are also side effects that need to be considered. Mugwort might contain trace amounts of thujone, a toxic substance that can be very dangerous in high concentrations, but only in extremely high concentrations would this be a problem when drinking mugwort tea. That being said, there are other side effects that do occur in certain people.

Allergies – One of the most common triggers for hayfever is mugwort pollen, so allergic reactions to drinking this tea are not uncommon. If you are normally susceptible to allergies, use this tea in moderation, and if you experience any skin irritation, gastrointestinal distress, or swelling of the throat, lips, or tongue, discontinue use immediately. [rx]
Pregnancy – While the level of thujone found in mugwort tea is low and likely safe for the majority of tea-drinkers, pregnant women should avoid this tea, as thujone is known to stimulate menstruation. Therefore, it might cause miscarriages and pregnancy complications. Breastfeeding women should also avoid drinking this tea, as some of the active components, including thujone, might be passed into the breast milk and might negatively affect the infant.
Mugwort oil - contains thujone, which is toxic in large amounts or under prolonged intake. Thujone is also present in Thuja plicata (western red cedar), from which the name thujone is derived. The downy hairs on the underside of the leaves can be scraped off and used as effective tinder.[4] All parts of the plant contain essential oils with all-purpose insecticidal properties (especially in the killing of insect larvae).[5][6] This is best used in a weak infusion, but use on garden plants is not recommended, as it also reduces plant growth.[7] Mugwort has been used therapeutically to relieve sleepiness.[rx]
Food - The leaves and buds, best picked shortly before mugwort flowers in July to September, can be used as a bitter flavoring agent to season fat, meat, and fish.[rx] Mugwort has also been used to flavor beer before the introduction of hops.[rx][rx]
Essential oil - The composition of mugwort essential oil can vary depending on the genus of plant selected, its habitat, as well as the part of the plant extracted, and the season of its harvest. Its main components can include camphor, cineole, α- and β-thujone, artemisia ketone (CAS: 546-49-6), borneol, and bornyl acetate as well as a wide variety of other phenols, terpenes and aliphatic compounds.[rx]

How Do You Make Mugwort Tea?

Question

Other Name
Altamisa, Armoise, Armoise Citronnelle, Armoise Commune, Armoise Vulgaire, Artémise, Artemisia, Artemisia Vulgaris, Artemisiae Vulgaris Herba, Artemisiae Vulgaris Radix, Carline Thistle, Felon Herb, Gemeiner Beifuss, Herbe aux Cent Goûts, Herbe de Feu, Herbe de la Saint-Jean, Herbe Royale, Hierba de San Juan, Nagadamni, Remise, Sailor's Tobacco, St. John's Plant, Tabac de Saint-Pierre, Wild Wormwood.
What is Mugwort Tea?
Mugwort tea has been in use for thousands of years in a number of different cultures, ranging from Europe to China, and has long been praised for its medicinal benefits. It was also the key ingredient in brewing beer for centuries before using hops came into favor. Scientifically known as Artemisia vulgaris, the mugwort plant is a tall shrub that is closely related to sunflowers, and its leaves, flowers, and roots are all used for their nutrient content. The specific benefits of mugwort tea are mainly due to the possible presence of flavonoids, triterpenes, and other antioxidant compounds, as well as possibly vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin E, potassium, iron, calcium, and various B-family vitamins. [rx]
Mugwort Tea Health Benefits
Drinking mugwort tea might be beneficial for people suffering from insomnia, anxiety, painful menstruations, digestive issues, obesity, weak immunity, depression, inflammation, colds, coughs, flu, respiratory infections, and kidney problems.

 	Moxibustion - In traditional Asian medicine, mugwort or wormwood is used in a process called moxibustion. Mugwort or wormwood leaves are formed into sticks or cones about the size and shape of a cigar and then burned on or over an acupuncture point to release energy. Moxibustion has been practiced for more than 3,000 years in China, and advocates claim that it can strengthen and warm your blood and life energy, and treat inflammations and cancers. This study shows how moxa smoke can improve the autonomic nervous system and induce a relaxing effect on the body. Moxibustion is also used to treat menstrual cramping and to help a baby in the breech position turn. According to this [rx], the practice does appear to increase fetal movements, helping the baby turn to a normal head-down, or cephalic, position. However, the authors conclude that more research needs to be done to determine moxibustion’s real effectiveness.

One 2012 review suggests that this can be either alone or in combination with acupuncture or postural techniques. A 2019 review [rx] also notes that moxibustion resulted in a decreased use of oxytocin compared with no treatment. Oxytocin reduces stress, calms a person down, and helps with pain during labor. The fact that it was less needed when a person used moxibustion is significant.

 	Might Help with Anxiety and Depression - With its powerful nervine qualities, mugwort tea might be very good for treating anxiety, depression, and chronic stress levels. This might help relieve stress on your nervous and metabolic system and may improve your quality of life if anxiety is something you experience on a daily basis. [rx]
 	Possible Weight Loss - With a possible range of B-family vitamins in this herbal tea, you might significantly boost your metabolism and might increase passive fat-burning. This may help with weight loss efforts and might help your body operate at a higher level of energy and efficiency. [rx]
 	Might Help Indigestion - Mugwort tea might have been used to settle the stomach and ease indigestion for generations. It might stimulate the appetite, reduce bloating and cramping, and may counter unpleasant conditions like constipation and diarrhea. Some of the active compounds might also stimulate the production of bile, which can speed digestion. [rx]
 	May Relieve Menstrual Pain - One of the major uses of mugwort tea might be in the treatment of dysmenorrhea, more commonly known as menstrual cramps. It might also stimulate and regulate menstruation and support the body as it changes through menopause. However, it should be avoided by women who are pregnant, as the stimulation of menses might cause miscarriage and trigger premature labor. [rx]
 	May have Diuretic Properties - The possible diuretic properties of mugwort tea mean that it stimulates urination, which can be the body’s best means of eliminating toxins. Mugwort tea might also be linked to cleansing the kidneys and bladder, and maybe reducing the chances of infection and improving function. It can also stimulate sweating, which might further eliminate toxins from the body through the skin. [rx]
 	Immune System - The possible high concentration of vitamin C and other active antioxidants might make this tea an excellent choice for boosting the immune system. Vitamin C might stimulate the production of white blood cells, and also can act as an antioxidant, which can neutralize free radicals that cause inflammation and weaken the body’s defenses. [7]
 	Might Improve Vision Health - Vitamin A might be found in mugwort tea and may act as a strong antioxidant for vision health. More specifically, this beta carotene-derived vitamin might be able to prevent macular degeneration and slow the development of cataracts. [rx]
 	May Increase the Bone Mineral Density - Traditional beliefs hold that mugwort tea might be an excellent mineralizer for the bones, might help to increase bone mineral density and may prevent age-related bone disorders, such as osteoporosis. The possible high levels of potassium, iron, and calcium found in this tea can help support this benefit. [rx]
 	Vivid Dreams - For centuries, mugwort tea was praised for its “psychic” and even “hallucinogenic” properties and has long been used to stimulate vivid dreams. It is purportedly able to help you remember dreams as well, and experience those rare lucid dreams that are so few and far between. [rx]

Insufficient Evidence for


 	Thick, raised scars (hypertrophic scars). Developing research suggests that applying a lotion containing mugwort and menthol directly to the skin relieves itching in severe burn victims.
 	Stomach problems (colic, diarrhea, cramps, constipation, slow digestion, vomiting).
 	Epilepsy.
 	Irregular menstrual periods.
 	Low energy
 	Anxiety.
 	Diarrhea.
 	Constipation.
 	Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea).
 	Excessive crying in infants (colic)
 	Nausea and vomiting.
 	High blood pressure.
 	Seizure disorder (epilepsy).
 	To promote labor.
 	Depression.
 	Hypochondria.
 	Insomnia.
 	Other conditions.



Mugwort has been used for its medicinal properties and in food for thousands of years. Although more research needs to be done, studies show that it’s beneficial in the process of moxibustion to treat the nervous system and to help with a breech birth. It’s also used to relieve menstrual cramps and to stimulate a woman’s menstrual cycle, and also to treat various gastrointestinal issues.

Talk to your doctor or someone trained in herbal medicine first if you want to try mugwort as a complementary health approach. Be sure to tell them about any allergies you have, as some people may be allergic to mugwort. Information on credentials and licensing of herbalists is available on the website of the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
Uses and Side Effects
Mugwort tea is used around the world and is naturalized in most countries due to its popularity, but there are also side effects that need to be considered. Mugwort might contain trace amounts of thujone, a toxic substance that can be very dangerous in high concentrations, but only in extremely high concentrations would this be a problem when drinking mugwort tea. That being said, there are other side effects that do occur in certain people.

 	Allergies – One of the most common triggers for hayfever is mugwort pollen, so allergic reactions to drinking this tea are not uncommon. If you are normally susceptible to allergies, use this tea in moderation, and if you experience any skin irritation, gastrointestinal distress, or swelling of the throat, lips, or tongue, discontinue use immediately. [rx]
 	Pregnancy – While the level of thujone found in mugwort tea is low and likely safe for the majority of tea-drinkers, pregnant women should avoid this tea, as thujone is known to stimulate menstruation. Therefore, it might cause miscarriages and pregnancy complications. Breastfeeding women should also avoid drinking this tea, as some of the active components, including thujone, might be passed into the breast milk and might negatively affect the infant.
 	Mugwort oil - contains thujone, which is toxic in large amounts or under prolonged intake. Thujone is also present in Thuja plicata (western red cedar), from which the name thujone is derived. The downy hairs on the underside of the leaves can be scraped off and used as effective tinder.[4] All parts of the plant contain essential oils with all-purpose insecticidal properties (especially in the killing of insect larvae).[5][6] This is best used in a weak infusion, but use on garden plants is not recommended, as it also reduces plant growth.[7] Mugwort has been used therapeutically to relieve sleepiness.[rx]
 	Food - The leaves and buds, best picked shortly before mugwort flowers in July to September, can be used as a bitter flavoring agent to season fat, meat, and fish.[rx] Mugwort has also been used to flavor beer before the introduction of hops.[rx][rx]
 	Essential oil - The composition of mugwort essential oil can vary depending on the genus of plant selected, its habitat, as well as the part of the plant extracted, and the season of its harvest. Its main components can include camphor, cineole, α- and β-thujone, artemisia ketone (CAS: 546-49-6), borneol, and bornyl acetate as well as a wide variety of other phenols, terpenes and aliphatic compounds.[rx]

How Do You Make Mugwort Tea?

Accepted Answer

Mugwort tea is easy to make at home, and only requires dried, crushed mugwort and hot water, as well as sweeteners or other herbal additions, if desired. The leaves are the most common source of mugwort tea, although some people also prepare a mugwort root tea, or even combine both plant parts for an even more beneficial beverage. If you are growing your own mugwort, cut only the top 1/3 of the plant when harvesting the leaves, and then hang&hellip;

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Other Name

What is Mugwort Tea?

Mugwort Tea Health Benefits

Insufficient Evidence for

Uses and Side Effects

How Do You Make Mugwort Tea?

Dosage? and Preparation

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Mugwort Tea Recipe

Ingredients

Instructions

What to Look For

Common Questions

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Prepare before seeing a doctor

Which doctor may help?

What to tell the doctor

Questions to ask

Tests to discuss

Avoid these mistakes

Medicine safety and first-aid guide

Safe first steps

OTC medicine safety

Avoid these mistakes

Get urgent help if

Patient health record and symptom diary

Care roadmap for: Mugwort – Uses, Indications, Dosage, Side Effects

Check danger signs first

Record the symptom story

Visit a qualified clinician

Do only useful tests

Follow up and return early if worse

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