Artemisia macrocephala
Artemisia macrocephala
Safety & Hazards
The essential oil in this plant contains thujone. Thujone is a GABA receptor antagonist which allows neurons to fire more easily. In larger doses this can cause muscle spasms and convulsions, and can also be toxic to brain, kidney, and liver cells. There has been a lot of negative press regarding thujone, particularly in the mid 19th century when thujone was reported to be more dangerous than alcohol - since shown to be exaggerated; and reports in the 1970’s that it might have a similar effect on the brain to THC (found in cannabis) – since found to be incorrect. Thujone is probably best known for its use in the alcoholic drink ‘Absinthe’. It is also found in the essential oils of many other plants that are used in herbal medicines and foods, including Arborvitae (Thuja species), some Junipers (Juniperus species), Wormwoods (especially Artemisia absinthium) and Sage (Salvia officinalis). There are some legal restrictions in various countries on the quantity of thujone that can be added to foods and drinks and these vary between countries. Side effects from consuming thujone can include sleeplessness and anxiety but, unless the pure essential oil is used, the quantity of thujone found in plants is well within safety levels. Pregnant women, however, may be advised to restrict their use of thujone-containing plants. Although we have seen no specific reports for this species, many members of this genus contain potentially allergenic sesquiterpene lactones that can cause skin reactions[ 407 Title BoDD (Botanical Dermatology Database) Publication Author Website http://bodd.cf.ac.uk/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Brief notes on a very wide range of plants that have reports of causing harm to the skin. ].
Botanical Description
Artemisia macrocephala is an annual plant that grows 6 - 30cm tall, exceptionally to 50cm. It produces one or more erect stems that are usually not branched, but can be branched from the base, this stem sometimes becomes more or less woody at the base[ 266 Title Flora of China Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. Year 1994 ISBN Description An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available. , 1081 Title Medicinal Plants in Mongolia Publication Author Website http://www.who.in Publisher World Health Organisation; Western Pacific Region Year 2013 ISBN 987 92 9061 632 0 Description Information on medicinal plants from Mongolia ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for use as a medicine. The plant is an ingredient of various traditional prescriptions in Mongolia[ 1081 Title Medicinal Plants in Mongolia Publication Author Website http://www.who.in Publisher World Health Organisation; Western Pacific Region Year 2013 ISBN 987 92 9061 632 0 Description Information on medicinal plants from Mongolia ].