Western Mugwort (Artemisia ludoviciana) has a long history of traditional use among Native American and Western herbalists, primarily as an aid for digestive complaints, menstrual irregularities, and as a general tonic for women’s health. In the context of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) Type D—characterized by depressive symptoms—some traditional sources and herbal practitioners have recommended mugwort for its reputed calming and mood-stabilizing effects. The rationale often cited is mugwort’s use as a nervine and emmenagogue, with the belief that it can help regulate menstrual cycles and alleviate emotional disturbances linked to menstruation.

However, there is minimal to no direct scientific research validating mugwort’s effectiveness specifically for PMS Type D or for depressive symptoms associated with PMS. Most available evidence is anecdotal or stems from traditional use patterns rather than clinical trials or pharmacological studies. A few studies on related Artemisia species suggest possible mild sedative and anti-inflammatory effects, but these findings cannot be directly generalized to Western Mugwort or PMS Type D. As such, while the use of Western Mugwort for PMS Type D is supported by tradition, the scientific evidence base is lacking, and its efficacy for this specific condition remains unproven.