Mugwort
Allergy Facts, Symptoms, and Treatment

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) is commonly known by several names, including wild wormwood, felon herb, and common wormwood.^1,2 Endemic in Australia and the Northern Hemisphere, mugwort is widespread in Europe and throughout northern Asia.^1,3 Growing up to approximately 122 centimeters (4 feet) in height, the herbaceous perennial has long been used as an herbal medicine in Europe and Asia.¹ Mugwort produces large amounts of wind-borne pollen, which is severely allergenic.⁴ During the mugwort pollen seasons of late summer and fall, mugwort pollen is one of the main causes of allergic reactions in Europe, where it affects roughly 10 to 15 percent of patients suffering from pollinosis.^4,5

Are there other allergens I could be sensitized to?*

Many patients with mugwort allergy can experience symptoms when exposed to other allergens such as tree, weed, or grass pollens, making it difficult to determine which pollen is causing the symptoms, especially when pollen seasons are overlapping. This is called cross-reactivity and occurs when your body's immune system identifies the proteins, or components, in different substances as being structurally similar or biologically related, thus triggering a response.⁷ Other respiratory allergens that may cause reactions associated with mugwort are certain grasses, trees, and weeds (e.g., birch, alder, juniper, ragweed, olive, goosefoot, etc).

If you experience an itchy mouth or throat after eating fresh fruit or raw vegetables, you may suffer from Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS), sometimes called Pollen Food Allergy Syndrome (PFAS). This condition is caused by your immune system's reaction to similar proteins, or components, found in different allergens. It is quite common, with up to 25 percent of children with allergic rhinitis (i.e., hay fever) also suffering from OAS.⁸ Common plant foods involved in OAS for mugwort include melon, watermelon, citrus, banana, pineapple, persimmon, zucchini, tomato, hazelnut, peanut, apple, peach, cherry, and many more.⁷

Knowing the proteins, or components, within each allergen that are triggering your symptoms can help guide your management plan. With that in mind, and based on your symptom history, your healthcare provider may suggest something called a specific IgE component test, which can help reveal other pollens and foods you may react to. Results from this test can also help your healthcare provider decide if allergen immunotherapy may reduce your symptoms.⁷

Already have your specific IgE component test results?

Your component test results will include the name of the components (a series of letters and numbers). Your healthcare provider will likely review the results with you, but here you'll find an at-a-glance breakdown you can use as a reference. Simply match the component names to the list below to see what they mean in terms of symptom management.⁷

nArt v 1

• Indicates that symptoms may be caused by pollen from mugwort, ragweed, sunflower, or feverfew pollen.⁷
• Mugwort pollen immunotherapy may be considered.⁷

nArt v 3

• Indicates that symptoms may be caused by mugwort.⁷
• May be associated with PFAS symptoms after ingestion of plant foods such as vegetables, fruits, and nuts. Investigation of food allergy may be considered.⁷

rPhl p 7

• Indicates symptoms may be caused by grass or by other pollen, e.g., from trees and weeds. Further examination may be considered to confirm all allergy triggers.⁷
• May be associated with more severe symptoms and higher prevalence of asthma than other grass pollen allergies.⁷

rPhl p 12

• Indicates that symptoms may be caused by grass or by other pollen, e.g., from trees and weeds.⁷
• May be associated with PFAS after ingestion of fruit and vegetables such as melon, tomato, apple, and celery. Further examination may be considered.⁷

MUXF3 (CCD)

• Positive specific IgE for mugwort in combination with MUXF3 CCD (Cross-Reactive Carbohydrate Determinant) being the only positive component test indicates that the cause of symptoms may be something other than mugwort pollen.⁷

Test results should be interpreted by your healthcare provider in the context of your clinical history. Final diagnosis and decision on further management is made by your healthcare provider.

*These products may not be approved for clinical use in your country. Please work with your healthcare provider to understand availability.