Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

The use of Artemisia species (such as Artemisia vulgaris, Artemisia absinthium, and others) for backache is primarily supported by traditional medicine systems rather than robust scientific validation. In various ethnobotanical records, Artemisia has been used in traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, and European folk medicine for ailments involving pain and inflammation, which sometimes include musculoskeletal complaints like backache. For example, mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) moxibustion is a well-known technique in traditional Chinese medicine for relieving pain and stiffness, including back pain, by burning the dried herb near specific acupuncture points. Similarly, in some folk traditions, Artemisia preparations have been applied topically or taken as teas for their purported analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.

However, the evidence base supporting these uses is limited mainly to anecdotal or historical accounts. Scientific studies on Artemisia species have focused more on their antimicrobial, antiparasitic (notably for malaria), and anti-inflammatory properties in general, with few high-quality clinical trials directly assessing efficacy for back pain or related musculoskeletal conditions. The anti-inflammatory constituents (like flavonoids and sesquiterpene lactones) provide some biological plausibility, but there is insufficient clinical research specifically validating Artemisia’s effectiveness for backache. As such, its use for this purpose should be regarded as traditional, with minimal scientific backing.

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