Artemesia vulgaris

We cite one more incidence as set forth in Swerdlow s first chapter, about the herb mugwort (apparently Artemesia vulgaris of the family Compositae or Aster-aceae), as published in a 1998 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. It was reported that if a bit of it was allowed to smolder on the little toe of pregnant women (and removed before it got too hot), the fetus would move to a head first position from the dangerous breech position. It was, in fact, the ancient Chinese practice to bum mugwort at a certain acupuncture point to cause the fetus to move to the head-first position. It is bizarre said the then editor of the JAMA, but according to Swendlow, studies verified the ancient practice. 

Kaul, V., et al. "Antimicrobial Activities of the Essential Oils Artemesia absinthium, Artemesia vestita, and Artemesia vulgaris " Indian Journal of Pharmacy 38 21, 1976. Abstract. 

Li, P. "Fumigation with Artemesia vulgaris Leaf for Inhibition of Bacterial Activity Its Therapeutic Effects on Bums." Chinese J Surg 13 787, 1965. Abstract. 

Constit. of many spp. including Artemesia vulgaris and Lactuca denticulata. Cryst. (EtOH). Mp 186°. [a] +83.5° (CHCI3). 

Me ester Dehydromatricaria ester. Occurs in Artemesia vulgaris. Cryst. (pet. ether). Mp 114-115°, 112°. 

Machaerium scleroxylon) in a hobbyist handling the wood. Plants reported to cause erythema multiformelike eruption include poison ivy (Toxicodendron) (Schwartz and Downham 1981 Mallory et al. 1982), primula Primula obconica) (Hjorth 1966) and mug-wort (Artemesia vulgaris) (Kurz and Rapaport 1979). Mallory et al. (1982) reported urticarial eruptions with black deposits on the skin of four patients with Toxidocendron radicans dermatitis. Urticaria, erythema multiforme-like eruptions, in a patient from Rhus dermatitis was reported by Schwartz and Down-ham (1981). They recommended that patients with such reactions should be screened for systemic involvement as previous reports have shown that nephritis can be an associated feature (Meneghini and AngeUni 1981 Fisher 1986). 

Bohlmann, F., u. H. J. Mannhardt Polyacetylenverbindung VIII. Zur Konsti-tution des Dehydromatricariaesters aus Artemesia vulgaris. Chem. Ber. 88, 429 (1955). 

Stavholt, K., and N. A. Sorensen Studies relating to naturally-occurring acetylene compounds V. Dehydromatricaria ester (methyl n-decene-triynoate) from the essential oil of Artemesia vulgaris L. Acta Chem. Scand. 4, 1567 (1950). 

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