Mugwort is also known as biboz. It is a hardy perennial plant. Mugwort gets yellow or reddish-brown flowers in the summer. They are aromatic and slightly bitter leaves and young spring shoots. It can be eaten raw or cooked. All parts of the mugwort plant like roots, leaves, stems, and blossoms are used in folk medicine to make extracts, tinctures, teas, essential oils, powders, and tonics. Mugwort’s high antioxidant levels contribute to its benefits.
Benefits of Mugwort
1. Arthritis reduction
When mugwort is used in the moxibustion technique it can treat joint pains. According to research, moxibustion is effective for pain reduction and symptom management in people with osteoarthritis in the knee. The pain-relieving effects of arthritis are because of active components called borneol.
2. Moxibustion
Mugwort is mainly used in a technique known as moxibustion. In this technique, the herb is burned over a specific part of the body based on what the practitioner is trying to achieve. According to research moxibustion can help or correct breech births, which might, in turn, help reduce the need for as many cesarean deliveries. The studies also mentioned that t moxibustion resulted in a decreased use of oxytocin compared with no treatment. Oxytocin calms a person down, reduces stress, and helps with pain during labor.
3. Help Prevent Cancer
Mugwort contains fundamental components called artemisinins were found to be toxic to cancer cells. According to studies, the extracts of California mugwort are said to act against breast cancer cells. An individual should take caution before using the supplement to treat cancer because this mugwort variant might attack normal human cells too. Mugwort can even improve conditions in preliminary stages such as heart health, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, diabetes, kidney health, and metabolism.
How Is Mugwort Used?
Mugwort can be used in many forms such as:
- Dried leaves
- Teas
- Tinctures
- Extracts
- Pills
It depends on the benefits you want accordingly one can use mugwort.
For instance, mugwort supplements can be taken orally for digestive issues.
For fungal or any infection an individual can apply mugwort essential oil to the infected area.
As there are no specific indications of how or when it is best to take mugwort.
One can recommend or consult with your healthcare provider.
The Side Effects Of Mugwort
Mugwort is considered safe for most people. But it can have some allergic reactions same as those associated with ragweed. The reactions can come from physical contact with the plant or drinking tea made from the mugwort.
Symptoms of such allergies can include:
- headaches
- irritated eyes
- sneezing
- a runny nose
- nasal congestion
- itchy throat
Mugwort contains a substance called thujone. Consuming this substance in excessive amounts can be toxic. If an individual chooses to use mugwort in the form of oil then they should know this risk. As the oil contains this substance. This means that there will be a high concentration of it.