Artemisia ( Artemisia vulgaris ) is a shrubby plant native to the temperate areas of Europe, Asia and North Africa. The name derives from the Greek goddess of hunting, Artemis, and today it is currently used for the treatment of cough, thanks to its antiseptic properties. Let's discover the characteristics and side effects of Artemisia .
Artemisia: characteristics and properties
Artemisia is a perennial shrub with a reddish erect stem and a woody root. The leaves are green on the upper side and whitish on the lower one, the flowers are reddish-yellow, gathered in flower heads and the fruits are glabrous achen.
The roots of artemisia have a sedative action and are useful in case of tiredness or over-excitement. The flowers, on the other hand, are rich in essential oils, lactones and flavonoids, and have an antispasmodic and emmenagogue action.
The mugwort is useful in case of cough, against intestinal parasites and in case of difficult digestion.
The side effects of Artemisia
Mugwort may have some side effects, such as:
- nausea and vomit,
- diarrhea and cramps,
- dermatitis and allergic reactions.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that, if taken in excessive doses, artemisia can damage the nervous system ; is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation and in patients with gastritis
