Taxonomy
- Family Name: Asteraceae
- Botanical Name: Artemisia vulgaris (probable species).
- Common Name: Mugwort, wild wormwood, felon herb
Description
Common name of felon herb comes from a prior herbal medicinal use of this plant in the treatment of felons, a painful pus-producing infection which typically occurs at the end of a finger or toe. Mugwort, common name (mug means drinking vessel) comes from the historical use of this plant in Europe to flavour beer before the introduction of hops. Wormwood is in reference to the former European growth of this plant as a vermifuge (folk medicine remedy for expelling worms from the intestinal tract).
For many centuries, this species has been mainly used for treating gynecological ailments and gastrointestinal diseases. Recently, research has proved that this species exhibits antioxidant, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, antispasmodic, analgesic, estrogenic, cytotoxic, antibacterial, antifungal, hypotensive, and broncholytic effects. Do not use it if you are allergic to ragweed.
Toxicity
this plant is considered poisonous in quantity but is showing great promise due to its wonderful chemical properties.
This plant is considered a noxious weed in many areas due to its robust rhizomatous root system.
Do not confuse this plant with Artemisia herba-Alba.
missouribotanicalgarden.org (photo only)
Synonyms:
Artemisia vulgaris var. americana
Artemisia vulgaris f. angustisecta
Artemisia vulgaris var. aromatica
Artemisia vulgaris subsp. candicans
Artemisia vulgaris var. candicans
Artemisia vulgaris subsp. coarctata
Artemisia vulgaris var. coarctica
Artemisia vulgaris var. douglasiana
Artemisia vulgaris subsp. flodmanii
Artemisia vulgaris var. flodmanii
Artemisia vulgaris var. gilvescens
Artemisia vulgaris var. glabra
Artemisia vulgaris var. glandulifera
Artemisia vulgaris subsp. gnaphalodes
Artemisia vulgaris var. gnaphalodes
Artemisia vulgaris subsp. heterophylla
Artemisia vulgaris var. incana
Artemisia vulgaris var. incanescens
Artemisia vulgaris var. incompta
Artemisia vulgaris var. indica
Artemisia vulgaris var. kamtschatica
Artemisia vulgaris var. kiusiana
Artemisia vulgaris var. latiloba
Artemisia vulgaris var. leucophylla
Artemisia vulgaris var. littoralis
Artemisia vulgaris var. longifolia
Artemisia vulgaris subsp. longifolia
Artemisia vulgaris subsp. ludoviciana
Artemisia vulgaris var. ludoviciana
Artemisia vulgaris var. maximowiczii
Artemisia vulgaris var. mexicana
Artemisia vulgaris subsp. mexicana
Artemisia vulgaris subsp.
Artemisia vulgaris var. minor
Artemisia vulgaris var. mongolica
Artemisia vulgaris f. montana
Artemisia vulgaris var. nilagirica
Artemisia vulgaris var. nipponica
Artemisia vulgaris f. nipponica
Artemisia vulgaris subsp. redolens
Artemisia vulgaris var. rubriflora
Artemisia vulgaris subsp. selengensis
Artemisia vulgaris var. selengensis
Artemisia vulgaris subsp. serrata
Artemisia vulgaris var. stolonifera
Artemisia vulgaris var. suaveolens
Artemisia vulgaris var. tenuifolia
Artemisia vulgaris subsp. tilesii
Artemisia vulgaris var. umbrosa
Artemisia vulgaris subsp. urjanchaica
Artemisia vulgaris var. verbenacea
Artemisia vulgaris var. viridissima
Artemisia vulgaris var. vulgaris
Artemisia vulgaris var. wrightii
Artemisia vulgaris subsp. wrightii
Disclaimer: Vancouver Island Master Gardeners Association (VIMGA) does not advise or recommend herbs for medicinal or health use. Any information in the recommended resources should be regarded as being for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any medical or health treatment.
Photos: Dave Riddell
Text: Jane Kerr