Artemisia nilagirica (Artemisia nilagirica): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Artemisia nilagirica work for digestive problems?

Artemisia nilagirica contains volatile oils including camphor, cineole, and thujone, which act as carminatives and antispasmodics on the gastrointestinal tract. These compounds help relax smooth muscle and reduce gas formation. The herb also demonstrates antimicrobial activity against various pathogens, supporting its traditional use for digestive complaints and intestinal parasites. Evidence level: C (preclinical studies).

Does Artemisia nilagirica interact with any medications?

Artemisia nilagirica may interact with anticonvulsant medications due to its thujone content, which can lower seizure threshold. It may also potentiate the effects of CNS depressants and affect drugs metabolized by liver cytochrome enzymes. The thujone content poses additional risks when combined with medications affecting GABA receptors. Evidence level: C. Consult a healthcare provider before combining with any prescription medications.

What is the recommended dosage of Artemisia nilagirica for adults?

The traditional adult dosage of Artemisia nilagirica is 2-4 grams of dried herb prepared as a tea, taken up to three times daily for digestive complaints. For fever reduction, similar doses are used in traditional Ayurvedic practice. Standardized extracts may have different dosing recommendations based on concentration. Evidence level: Traditional. Always follow product label instructions or consult a qualified practitioner.

Is Artemisia nilagirica safe to take during pregnancy?

Artemisia nilagirica is unsafe during pregnancy and should be strictly avoided. The herb contains thujone, a neurotoxic compound that can stimulate uterine contractions and potentially cause miscarriage or harm fetal development. Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy should not use this herb. Evidence level: C. No safe threshold has been established for use during pregnancy or lactation.

What are the side effects and contraindications of Artemisia nilagirica?

Common side effects of Artemisia nilagirica include mild gastrointestinal upset such as nausea or stomach discomfort. Due to its thujone content, excessive doses may cause neurological symptoms including dizziness, seizures, or hallucinations. People with epilepsy should avoid this herb entirely, as it is contraindicated for seizure disorders. Evidence level: C. Discontinue use immediately if adverse neurological effects occur.

What is Artemisia nilagirica used for in traditional medicine?

Artemisia nilagirica has been used traditionally in Ayurveda and Indian folk medicine for digestive conditions including indigestion, bloating, and intestinal worms. It is also employed for fever reduction, as a carminative to relieve gas, and for its antimicrobial properties. The herb grows in the Indian highlands and has centuries of documented medicinal use. Evidence level: Traditional.

PubMed-compiled information sheet

This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.

Compiled from 29 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Artemisia nilagirica, also known as Indian wormwood, is a medicinal plant found in India that exhibits antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties [PMID: 36296712, 33072905].

Background

Artemisia nilagirica (C.B. Clarke) Pamp. is a member of the Asteraceae family widely distributed in the Western Ghats of Kerala and the eastern region of India [PMID: 36296712, 24597853].

Traditional uses

In south India, it is traditionally used for insect control [PMID: 32663894]. Local tribal populations in east India use the leaves to treat cold and cough [PMID: 24597853]. It has a history of use in Indian traditional medicine to combat various diseases, including cancer [PMID: 29109061].

Active compounds

The essential oil contains camphor, 1,8-cineole, artemisia ketone, beta-eudesmol, borneol, artemisia alcohol, camphene, alpha-gurjunene, P-cymene, terpinene-4-ol, and alpha-pinene [PMID: 17342614, 25127023]. Other identified constituents include alpha-thujone, beta-thujone, germacrene D, 4-terpineol, beta-caryophyllene, and various terpenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds [PMID: 22348279, 32663894]. Methanol extracts have shown the presence of Methyl commate A, Phytol, and Squalene [PMID: 39756008].

Mechanism of action

In breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231), the methanolic extract induces anti-tumor effects by upregulating the TGF-β tumorigenic pathway, which leads to the activation of Rho-A and increased expression of actin and microtubules [PMID: 33072905]. In ticks (Rhipicephalus annulatus), a terpenoid subfraction modulates the PGE2-mediated pathway [PMID: 34443500].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DCancer (In vitro)

Ethanolic and methanolic extracts showed cytotoxic activity against human monocytic leukemia (THP-1) cells and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells [PMID: 27618154, 33072905].

Evidence DMalaria (In vitro)

Various organic leaf extracts demonstrated antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum [PMID: 29491 la54].

Evidence DBacterial Infections (In vitro/Animal)

Leaf extracts showed antibacterial activity against various strains including E. coli and P. aeruginosa [PMID: 20109237, 30899158]. In broiler chickens, methanol leaf extract provided hepatoprotective and cardioprotective effects against E. coli challenge [PMID: 38390080].

Evidence DFungal Infections (In vitro)

Essential oils exhibited nonselective antifungal activity against Colletotrichum species and Aspergillus species [PMID: 25127023, 25199920].

Evidence summary

The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies and animal models (Level D), demonstrating significant antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiproliferative potential, but lacks human clinical trials.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 17342614 (1985) — Volatile Constituents of Artemisia nilagirica. · Planta medica
2.PMID: 38390080 (2024) — Hepatoprotective and cardioprotective effect of Artemisia nilagirica leaf extract on E. coli challenged broiler chicken. · Heliyon
3.PMID: 25127023 (2014) — Chemical composition and biological effects of Artemisia maritima and Artemisia nilagirica essential oils from wild plants of western Himalaya. · Planta medica
4.PMID: 36296712 (2022) — Phytochemical Composition and In Vitro Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Anticancer, and Enzyme-Inhibitory Activities of Artemisia nilagirica (C.B. Clarke) Pamp. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
5.PMID: 32663894 (2020) — Acaricidal Activity of Artemisia nilagirica Leaves Against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus Ticks.

Artemisia nilagirica

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Artemisia nilagirica