Witnessed by: TCM
Mugwort (Artemisia argyi), of the Asteraceae family. Vigorous aromatic perennial of open disturbed ground; native range: widespread across China on roadsides and field margins. Globally recognized as ai ye (艾叶) in Chinese, and Chinese mugwort, moxa in English. The part used is leaf. Grey-felted lobed leaves, pungently aromatic and bitter, downy-soft when rubbed to moxa wool.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
MUGWORT
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- mugwort
- Scientific name
- Artemisia argyi H.Lév. & Vaniot
- Family
- Asteraceae
Form
- Part used
- leaf
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- bitter · pungent
Temperature
- TCM
- warm
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Liver · Spleen · Kidney
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- warms the channels, stops bleeding, dispels cold, relieves pain, calms the fetus
Cautions
- Contraindications
- caution in yin-deficient heat and in heat patterns of bleeding
- Toxicity
- large doses may irritate the stomach; the volatile oil is toxic in excess
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