Allergen,Individual-Weed pollen Mugwort Sita Bani (Artemisia Vulgaris / BanoBarna)

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), belonging to the family Asteraceae or Compositae, is a perennial root stalk weed that grows along the roadsides. Mugwort is usually wind-pollinated and inhalation of the pollen grains (spheroidal in shape) is responsible for its allergic reactions.

Mugwort pollens are known to trigger type 1 allergic reactions like allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis and asthma. Besides this, mugwort is also linked with plant-derived food allergies (pollen-food-allergy syndrome). It is clinically manifested as oral allergy syndrome, angioedema, urticaria or even anaphylaxis. The mugwort proteins, namely Art v 1, Art v 2, Art v 3, Art v 4, Art v 5 and Art v 6 have been identified as having allergenic potential. Mugwort and ragweed pollens show high level of cross-reactivity since they are related weeds. Further, mugwort also cross-reacts with many food allergies leading to pollen-food allergy syndrome like mugwort-celery-spice, mugwort-fennel, mugwort-mustard, mugwort-peach, mugwort-sunflower syndrome etc.

An allergy to Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) triggers a reaction in an individual's immune system. The body views certain substances as toxic and produces IgE antibodies to these contaminants. These antibodies cause histamine to be released, which will cause the symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Associated Tests: Allergy - Adult (Comprehensive) Panel , Allergy Screening 

Written by : Supriya Kulkarni, Lead-Content & Training

Reviewed by : Dr. Alap Christry M.D. AVP-Lab Operations & Scientific Business Head-Clinical Chemistry