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Western Mugwort Artemisia ludoviciana Artemisia douglasiana (Artemisia vulgaris var. californica) Artemisia filifolia Compositae – Sunflower family Description Like Artemisia ludoviciana, A. douglasiana roots from stem nodes so it too is found in bunched colonies. This perennial is usually several feet in height, but if conditions are optimal, it can occasion 6-7 feet. The leaves are variable but tend to be entire towards the top of the plant; lower along the stem they are toothed, cleft, or lobed. Above, the leaves are dark green, below, they are silvery due to a dense coating of leaf hairs. The small, whitish, cream-colored flowers are clustered in small spikelets, originating from the leaf axils on the upper stem ends. Artemisia filifolia is a perennial sub-shrub, 3 feet tall by the same wide. The aromatic leaves are pubescent and are light gray, bluish-green. On the upper stems, the leaves are entire and thread-like. The lower leaves are also very thin and narrow, but are usually longer and cleft. They alternate along brownish-grey stems. The small inconspicuous flowers form in clusters on the upper stems. Like most Artemisias of the west, A. filifolia is a late summer to fall bloomer. Distribution Artemisia douglasiana is found through most of California, Oregon ,and eastern Washington. It ranges east to the Rocky Mountains. Look to rocky hillsides, mountain drainages, and streamsides. A. filifolia has a wide distribution throughout the interior west. From Nebraska and Wyoming, the plant is abundant on well-drained sandy soils and rangelands. From this area, the plant is also found south to Colorado, Nevada, western Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Chemistry Medicinal Uses Firstly, Western mugwort is a medicine for the gastrointestinal tract. All three Artemisias tend to be mild to moderate gastric stimulants, Artemisia ludoviciana being the most energetic. Each plant’s gastric stimulation can largely be determined by its bitterness. The more bitter the plant, the more stimulation it will provide. Underlying Western mugwort's bitter tonic activity is its seemingly paradoxical cytoprotective effect on gastric and intestinal tissue. Western mugwort, particularly Artemisia filifolia and A. douglasiana have the ability of stabilizing cellular membranes and ultimately protecting gastrointestinal tissues from an array of inflammatory conditions. These plants have been shown to provide cyclooxygenase inhibition, increased glycoprotein (mucus) synthesis, granulocyte degranulation inhibition, as well as transcription factor NF-κB inhibition. All of these activities protect gastrointestinal tract mucosa from the body’s own inflammatory responses. Use Western mugwort as a daily tea for ulcerative colitis, gastritis, or other inflammatory conditions affecting the area. Western mugwort has a number of effects on the liver. Overtly it is choleretic, increasing bile synthesis and release. If prone to gall stone formation Western mugwort will thin bile enough to diminish precipitants. Deeper, these plants have a cooling, antioxidant effect on hepatocyte function. These liver centered effects tend to reduce elevated liver enzyme levels – all stress markers evident in viral and general hepatitis. In addition, the plant inhibits glutathione depletion within hepatocytes. Western mugwort’s hepatoprotective effect can also be of benefit to individuals who consume excess alcohol, rancid oils, and processed foods with their array of artificial ingredients. Use Western mugwort to buffer these nefarious effects on the liver, although making better dietary choices is paramount in liver health. Several ounces of the cool tea taken before bed is one of the best approaches if prone to, upon waking the next morning, frontal headaches, red-irritated eyes, bad breath, and general liver congestion. Topically, Western mugwort is mildly antibacterial and antifungal. It is effective against a wide array of microorganisms; it does not provide a strong effect, but it is broad. Artemisia ludoviciana is distinctly inhibiting to HSV (herpes simplex virus), type I and II. For cold sore treatment, the oil or salve in combination with Creosote bush iseffective. With clients, I have observed genital herpes outbreaks diminish under internal use of the plant. Added benefit is achieved by topical application. Like its larger cousin, Sagebrush, Western mugwort is effective against a number of intestinal parasites. Drink several cups of tea daily for treatment of traveler’s diarrhea, pinworm infections and other infestations effecting intestinal function. Do not underestimate Western mugwort, particularly A. ludoviciana in these situations. The plant contains a number of compounds that are broadly anthelmintic. The tea drunk hot is a stimulating diaphoretic; drunken cold with no elevated temperature Western mugwort is diuretic. The plant tends also to stimulate menses, so is useful in delayed menstruation where the pelvic area feels cold and rigid. Indications Collection Preparations and Dosage Cautions Other uses Copyright © 2006 by Charles W. Kane |