Can you drink mugwort

It is also available in capsule form from many health stores. Traditionally, throughout Europe and in traditional Chinese medicine, people have used mugwort as a treatment for a variety of health conditions. For example, people have smoked or consumed the dried leaves as a way to promote lucid dreaming, though there have been few studies into this.

Others who use the herb suggest that it has antibacterial properties, but again, there have been few studies investigating this. The main use of mugwort is in a technique called moxibustion. This involves burning the herb over a specific part of the body based on what the practitioner is trying to achieve. Practitioners also commonly use moxibustion during acupuncture to increase the effectiveness of this ancient Chinese practice.

There is some evidence to suggest that moxibustion may be able to help prevent or correct breech births, which might, in turn, help reduce the need for as many cesarean deliveries. One review suggests that this can be either alone or in combination with acupuncture or postural techniques. A review 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. One review found sufficient evidence to suggest that moxibustion is effective for pain reduction and symptom management in people with osteoarthritis in the knee. This supports a review that suggests that moxibustion could be useful as an alternative in treating knee osteoarthritis.

Some people also believe that mugwort can help relax the uterus, and, in doing so, induce a late menstrual cycle and relieve any cramps associated with it. There is also limited evidence to suggest that moxibustion may reduce both the frequency and the severity of hot flashes associated with menopause. This is based on a single study of 51 perimenopausal and postmenopausal women that included a control group. There is limited evidence to suggest that some types of mugwort may be effective in treating cancerous cells.

However, the results of one study indicate that the ability of California mugwort to kill cells extends to normal human cells, as well as cancerous ones.

A review of numerous studies into moxibustion concludes that it may help reduce the symptoms of chemotherapy and improve quality of life, but research must continue to confirm this. Email: ods nih. This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged. NCCIH has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider s.

We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. Home Health Information Mugwort. Latin Names: Artemisia vulgaris. Mugwort is a perennial plant that is native to Europe and parts of Asia and Africa. In Europe, mugwort was used to flavor beer before hops were cultivated. Mugwort is also used as a flavoring in Chinese, Korean, and Japanese dishes.

Mugwort has been used for its medicinal properties and in food for thousands of years. 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.

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Lemon verbena is a plant you can use in cooking, teas, or take as a supplement. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile.

Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. The mugwort plant has been traditionally used for everything from digestive disorders to beer-making, insect repellent, and more. Mugwort Artemisia vulgaris L. The plant is native to Northern Europe, and Asia; it can also be found in many parts of North America. The mugwort plant grows to 4 feet in height, but occasionally reaches heights of up to 6 feet.

Its angular reddish-brown stems have bitter-tasting leaves that have a sage-like aroma. The plant blooms with yellow or dark orange flowers in the summer. The aerial parts of the mugwort plant are used as an essential oil. The plant is also burned in moxibustion practices. Historically, mugwort was used by the Romans, who are said to have planted it by roadsides, so that marching soldiers could put the plant in their shoes. This was done to relieve aching feet. John the Baptist was said to have worn a girdle of mugwort.

This video has been medically reviewed by Meredith Bull, ND. Many people consider mugwort a common weed. This is because the plant spreads aggressively, often taking over large areas of a garden. The plant is related to ragweed and may cause allergy symptoms that mimic those caused by ragweed allergies. But in other areas of the world, the benefits of mugwort are much more appreciated. The parts of the plant that grow above ground and its roots are used to make medicine. Mugwort has been ascribed many health-promoting and other beneficial properties.

Common uses of mugwort which have not been backed by clinical research data include:. Mugwort is commonly used by alternative health practitioners for many health conditions. Although there are preliminary studies that reveal mugwort's potential health benefits, there is not enough clinical research evidence to definitively support the safety and efficacy of mugwort for treating many health maladies, including:.

As part of traditional Chinese medicine TCM , mugwort has been used in the practice of moxibustion for thousands of years. Moxibustion involves rolling mugwort into sticks or cones, igniting it, then waving it over the area that is to be treated. This serves to stimulate the acupuncture point with heat and the herb's chemical compounds. Although this procedure may sound primitive, there is clinical research evidence that backs the effectiveness of moxibustion and lends some credibility to the practice of moxibustion.

A systematic review, published in , examined the effect of moxibustion on breech babies. Note: Since the mids oxytocin-induced vaginal delivery of breech babies has been almost universally disapproved of for breech presentations.