What are the benefits and uses of mugwort leaves? Today, we'll give you a detailed introduction. In fact, mugwort leaves have long been widely used in traditional Chinese folk practices. Some use it for healing and recuperation, others consume it as a food to stave off hunger, and still others employ it as a talisman to ward off evil spirits and toxins. Its applications are remarkably diverse. Even today, many elderly folk remain quite fond of mugwort leaves, viewing them as a valuable resource. Upon seeing them, they often gather them, bring them home, dry them, and store them for future use.Mugwort possesses numerous therapeutic properties, including warming meridians to stop bleeding, dispelling cold to alleviate pain, stabilizing pregnancy, reducing dampness, and eliminating parasites. 【Antibacterial Effects】 1. In vitro studies show mugwort inhibits Bacillus anthracis, α-hemolytic streptococcus, β-hemolytic streptococcus, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriae,-hemolytic streptococcus, B-hemolytic streptococcus, diphtheria bacillus, pseudodiphtheria bacillus,
pneumococcus, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus citri, Staphylococcus albus, Bacillus subtilis, and other 10 Gram-positive aerobic bacteria.Artemisia oil at a concentration of 4×10⁻³ (test tube method) exhibits bacteriostatic effects against Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus albus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi, Shigella flexneri, and others.Smoking with wild mugwort leaves, moxa sticks, or moxa wool can be used for indoor disinfection. When mixed with Atractylodes lancea, Acorus tatarinowii, and realgar, or with Atractylodes lancea, realgar, and Angelica dahurica, the smoke exhibits bactericidal or inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus, beta-hemolytic Streptococcus, Escherichia coli, Proteus,Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Salmonella typhi and paratyphi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus alkali-producing, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (human type H37RV). Moxa stick fumigation also reduces bacteria on burn surfaces. In guinea pigs with tuberculosis, moxibustion treatment slows disease progression and reduces lesion severity, particularly noticeable in later stages.Additionally, it enhances phagocytic activity in reticuloendothelial cells, though the degree of enhancement is less pronounced than during acquired immunity in animals. The phagocytic function of guinea pig reticuloendothelial cells correlates with visceral tuberculous lesions; when the liver or spleen is damaged by the disease, phagocytic function declines.
2. Fumigation with wild mugwort leaves also exhibits antibacterial effects against various pathogenic fungi.Water extracts and decoctions of Artemisia argyi also exhibit certain inhibitory effects against multiple pathogenic fungi in vitro.
3. Artemisia argyi decoction demonstrates varying degrees of inhibitory activity in vitro against Staphylococcus aureus, α-hemolytic streptococcus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Shigella sonnei, Salmonella typhi and paratyphi, and Vibrio cholerae.
【Antifungal】
Artemisia argyi decoction exhibits the weakest antibacterial effect against dermatophyte fungi (compared to decoctions of Coptis chinensis and Scutellaria baicalensis). At a 15% concentration, Trichophyton violaceum begins to show inhibition. At a 30% concentration, except for Epidermophyton floccosum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Candida albicans which continue to grow,while others including Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton rubrum var. mongolicum, Microsporum canis, Trichophyton concentricum, Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton ferrugineum, and Trichophyton violaceum all ceased development.Cao Honglie et al. also demonstrated that a water extract of mugwort (1:4) exhibited varying degrees of inhibitory effects in vitro against dermatophytes including Trichophyton violaceum, Trichophyton rubrum, Microsporum audouinii, Microsporum lanosum, Epidermophyton floccosum, and Nocardia asteroides.Concurrently, Sun Xun evaluated the efficacy of mugwort smoke fumigation against Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton rubrum var. mongolicum, Trichophyton concentricum, Trichophyton violaceum, Trichophyton rubrum, Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum ferrugineum, Trichophyton pedis,Trichophyton interdigitale, Microsporum canis, Trichophyton gypsiforme, Schimmel's microsporum, and Saccharomyces fischeri.【Bronchodilation】
1. Artemisia oil directly relaxes guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle and counteracts tracheal constriction induced by acetylcholine, barium chloride, and histamine; it also increases guinea pig pulmonary blood flow.Oral administration of 0.5 ml/kg mugwort oil inhibits asthma induced by acetylcholine-histamine spray in guinea pigs. At 2×10⁻⁴ ml/kg, mugwort oil relaxes isolated guinea pig trachea and counteracts acetylcholine- and barium chloride-induced contractions.A suspension of Artemisia oil mixed with Tween-80 inhibited the release of slow-reacting substances (SRS-A) from lung tissue, demonstrating direct antagonism against SRS-A and suppressing SRS-A release from both lung tissue and tracheal smooth muscle. Following a single oral dose of Artemisia oil in guinea pigs, the reduction in lung tissue SRS-A content was not significant.In 1981, two potent antiasthmatic monomers—α-terpineol and trans-calamellide—were isolated from the medium-boiling-point fraction of mugwort oil, which exhibits strong bronchodilatory effects. Animal studies indicate these compounds possess greater antiasthmatic potency than mugwort oil itself.Terpinene-4-ol (4240-300 mg/kg) administered orally or via aerosol, along with α-terpinene (80-120 mg/kg) administered orally, both counteracted histamine- and acetylcholine-induced asthma in guinea pigs. The other component, trans-calamellane (TCML), also counteracted histamine- and acetylcholine-induced asthma.-terpinene at 80-120 mg/kg administered orally both counteracted histamine- and acetylcholine-induced asthma in guinea pigs. The other two components, trans-banscarveol (TCM) and β-caryophyllene, also exhibited bronchodilatory effects.1. Inhalation of α-terpineol inhibited histamine-induced asthma in guinea pigs and counteracted changes in guinea pig lung mechanics caused by ovalbumin sensitization and challenge. 2. Wild wormwood extract exerts a bronchodilator effect on guinea pig bronchi.【Cholagogue】
Artemisia oil capsules were prepared as a 2% leaf suspension (containing 75 μl artemisia oil per 1 ml).Rats received duodenal injections of 0.8 ml/100 g and 0.3 ml/100 g as Artemisia oil Group I and Group II, respectively. The positive control group received dehydrocholic acid (DHC) at 0.25 g per tablet, prepared as a 20% suspension and administered at 0.3 ml/100 g via duodenal injection.Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning Group: Rats received a single oral dose of 1 ml/kg carbon tetrachloride. Twenty-four hours post-poisoning, a cholagogue test was conducted by administering 0.3 ml/100 g Artemisia oil via duodenal injection. The control group received 0.3 ml/100 g of 2% Tween via duodenal injection.Mice were divided into three groups: Artemisia oil group (0.2 ml/10 g administered via duodenal gavage); Dehydrocholic acid group (5% dehydrocholic acid, 0.2 ml/10 g administered via duodenal gavage); Saline group (0.2 ml/10 g administered via duodenal gavage).Experimental results: Artemisia oil suspension at 0.8 ml/100 g increased bile flow in normal rats by 91.5%, showing a highly significant difference compared to pre-treatment levels; the 0.3 ml/100 g group increased bile flow by 89%, also showing a highly significant difference compared to pre-treatment levels; the dehydrocholic acid group increased bile flow by 83.2%.Carbon tetrachloride-intoxicated rats also showed increased bile flow, though the cholagogue effect was weaker and shorter-lasting compared to normal rats; 2% Tween had no significant effect on bile flow. Artemisia oil also exhibited marked cholagogue activity in mice, increasing bile flow by 26%.
【Platelet Inhibition】
β--sitosterol and 5,7-dihydroxy-6,3',4'-trimethoxyflavone in Artemisia argyi exhibited significant effects on inhibiting platelet aggregation. Wen Ruixing et al. investigated the effects of different processing methods, Artemisia argyi from various origins, and their active components on platelet aggregation rate. Results indicated that different processed preparations of Artemisia argyi exerted varying effects on platelet aggregation rate.Processing methods significantly influenced experimental outcomes, with marked differences observed among products from various treatments. Charcoal-roasted and vinegar-charcoal-roasted preparations exhibited weaker effects; charcoal-roasted, vinegar-charcoal-roasted, and raw mugwort demonstrated potent inhibition of platelet aggregation, showing extremely significant suppression at all three dosage levels (p<0.001).Among extracts from An Guo mugwort using different solvents, ethanol extract exhibited the most pronounced inhibition of platelet aggregation. Extracts from the other two solvents (ethyl acetate and chloroform) also showed inhibitory effects, though less potent than ethanol extract. Ethanol extracts of the water-soluble fraction from mugwort of three different origins all inhibited platelet aggregation (p<0.001).At these two concentrations, the effects were superior to those of the other two mugwort varieties. At 136 mg/ml, no significant differences were observed among the three mugwort varieties. Two components extracted from mugwort, β-sitosterol and 5,7-dihydroxy-6,3',4'-trimethoxyflavone, both exhibited extremely significant inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation.However, compared to the latter, β-sitosterol exhibited significantly superior effects at both 0.7 and 1.35 mg/ml concentrations (p<0.001).
【Anti-Allergy】
Hideharu Ohashi reported that mugwort, primarily due to its tannin content, can reduce body temperature in rabbits heated by moxibustion. However, the effective dose approaches lethal levels, making it unsuitable as an antipyretic.
This concludes our introduction to the benefits and functions of mugwort. We hope this information proves helpful. Wishing you good health and smooth sailing this winter.