mugwort tea ...artemisia vulgaris...how much is too much?

I love mugwort tea...can I drink too much?
I drink a pint made with three teaspoons of the dried herb almost every day.
I cut and used my own during the summer and just bought a pound from Mountain Rose Herbs to fill in until mine greens up again.

Is it addictive? I like it's slight 'lift' effect and knowing it's good for my liver but like any good thing, I wonder if there is a down side?

Hi Judith,

I can't tell you the exact amount that would be okay for you. I personally am very sensitive to it and can't use it at all.

Here are the contraindications for Mugwort. Perhaps this will be of use:

Contraindications: Some people are bothered by the smell of this plant and some other Artemesias.  The pollen is a carrier of endotoxins from Pseudomonas species and Pantoea species. The presence of  lipopolysaccharides from these bacteria can cause allergic sensitization in people.  All Artemisia species may be toxic in large doses or with chronic use. Mugwort contains thujone, which can cause vomiting, stomach and intestinal cramps, retention of urine, and in serious cases, renal damage, vertigo, tremors, and convulsions. Beta-thujone has been shown to be a neurotoxin in animals, but has not been studied in humans. It may lend some toxicity to the plant, especially in larger doses or chronic use. Short term use of herbs containing thujone is generally considered to be safe.   Thujone is considered a GABA receptor antagonist. B-thujone is alcohol soluble, so tea extracts contain less of it. Allergic contact dermatitis can occur with external use of Mugwort in sensitive individuals. Discontinue if a rash occurs. It is contraindicated in pregnancy due to the emmenagogue and abortifacient effects.

Thank you Sharol!

I probably would qualify as a 'chronic' user soon.
I had read information about artemisias containing thujone and saw what said mugwort contained the least of it and that the tea contained even less?

I like something non caffeinated and relaxing about mid afternoon.  It used to be passion flower vine with red clover and variations on that.  Sometimes scullcap but that would generally put me out for a nap....time to dig a little deeper in the cabinet.

Hello Judith,

Yes, it is true that making a tea extracts less thujone. The tincture has more in it. Even where and how the plant is grown will alter how much is in there. It is generally considered safe to use unless used in excess. Of the thujone containing plants Mugwort is one of the ones not really given much attention. People do use it, but not usually every day, long term. So, you are in a smaller group of people experimenting.