Evidence supporting the use of: Mugwort
For the health condition: Chills

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in East Asia and Europe. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), mugwort (known as "ai ye") is commonly used in moxibustion, a practice where dried mugwort is burned near the skin at specific acupuncture points to "warm the meridians" and dispel cold and dampness. Chills, especially those associated with "cold" syndromes, are considered an indication for moxibustion with mugwort in TCM theory. The warm properties of mugwort are believed to help restore balance and promote circulation, thus alleviating symptoms like chills and coldness.

However, there is limited scientific evidence to directly support the efficacy of mugwort in treating chills as understood in modern Western medicine. Most available evidence is anecdotal or based on traditional usage rather than robust clinical trials. Some studies have examined the warming effect of moxibustion for conditions such as cold limbs or certain types of pain, but these are often small, not well-controlled, or focus on the moxibustion technique rather than mugwort itself. Overall, mugwort’s use for chills is primarily justified by traditional practice rather than scientific validation.

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