Evidence supporting the use of: Mugwort
For the health condition: Colic (adults)

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Synopsis

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

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, especially in European, Chinese, and Japanese practices. Traditionally, mugwort has been employed for its supposed digestive benefits, including the relief of various gastrointestinal complaints such as indigestion, bloating, and colic. In the context of adult colic—characterized by abdominal pain, cramping, and discomfort—herbalists have used mugwort as a bitter tonic and mild antispasmodic. Historical sources, such as European herbals and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) texts, describe mugwort's role in stimulating digestion, easing stomach cramps, and promoting the flow of bile. However, scientific studies providing robust clinical evidence for mugwort's efficacy in treating colic in adults are lacking. Most of the support comes from anecdotal reports and traditional use rather than controlled clinical trials. While some laboratory studies have suggested that mugwort extracts can have antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effects on smooth muscle tissue, these findings have not been directly translated into clinical recommendations for colic in adults. As such, the use of mugwort for adult colic remains primarily justified by tradition, not by modern scientific validation.

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