Who Should Not Drink Mugwort Tea?
Mugwort tea has a fascinating history, but not everyone should drink it.
If you’re wondering who should not drink mugwort tea, several groups should exercise particular caution, including pregnant people, those with plant allergies and people taking certain medications.
Pregnant People
Pregnancy is one of the clearest situations where mugwort should be approached cautiously.
There isn’t sufficient evidence establishing the safety of mugwort tea during pregnancy.
For this reason, pregnant people should avoid it unless specifically advised otherwise by a qualified healthcare professional.
Breastfeeding
There is also limited safety information concerning mugwort during breastfeeding.
Anyone who is breastfeeding should speak with their healthcare professional before consuming mugwort tea regularly.
People With Plant Allergies
Mugwort belongs to the Asteraceae family.
If you have known allergies to plants such as:
- Ragweed
- Chamomile
- Daisies
- Chrysanthemums
you should discuss mugwort with a healthcare professional before consuming it.
People Taking Medication
Herbal products can potentially interact with medicines.
If you’re taking prescription medication, speak with your doctor or pharmacist before regularly consuming mugwort tea.
This is particularly important if you take multiple medications or have a chronic condition.
Children
There isn’t enough evidence to establish mugwort tea as a suitable routine drink for children.
Parents and guardians should seek professional advice before giving medicinal or concentrated herbal preparations to children.
People With Existing Health Conditions
If you have a significant medical condition, don’t assume that mugwort tea is automatically safe.
A healthcare professional can take into account your individual circumstances, medication and other factors.
People Who Are Unsure What Plant They Have
This is particularly important for people who forage.
Never drink tea made from a wild plant unless you are completely confident about its identification.
Several plants can resemble one another, and misidentification can have serious consequences.
What About Healthy Adults?
For healthy adults without relevant allergies or medical concerns, an occasional mild mugwort infusion may be tolerated.
However, that doesn’t mean that large quantities or highly concentrated preparations are necessarily safe.
Conclusion
Knowing who should not drink mugwort tea is just as important as knowing how to prepare it.
Pregnant and breastfeeding people, children, people with plant allergies, people taking medication and those with certain health conditions should seek professional advice before consuming mugwort tea.
For everyone else, responsible and moderate use is sensible.
For the complete mugwort tea guide, including history, recipes and preparation:
