Artemisia vulgaris oil

Artemisia vulgaris oil	Last updated: 25/08/2025
(Also known as: mugwort extract; Artemisia vulgaris extract; mugwort oil)

SUMMARY

This is a plant-derived pesticide ajnd biostimulant for which little data is currently available.

Hazard alerts

The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement. These hazard alerts do not take account of usage patterns or exposure, thus do not represent risk.

Environmental fate	Ecotoxicity	Human health
		Human health Low alert

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A plant extract, shown in lab studies, to have herbicidal and insecticidal activity as well as acting as a crop biostimulant.

Example pests controlled

Pigweed Amaranthus retroflexus; Yellow-fever mosquito Aedes aegypti; Red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum); Growth; Stress

Example applications

Maize; Cereals; Stored products

Efficacy & activity

Efficacy appears to be variable and species specific. As a herbicide, lab studies have shown that, at concentrations from 7.5% to 10% w/v, it can inhibit seed germination, seedling emergence and growth of the weed redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus), without affecting maize performance. In other species (e.g. carrot & rapeseed), the liquor acts as a biostimulant, improving seedling germination and growth. However, in other species (e.g. onion, tomato, lettuce) no significant effect has been seen. There are a few published studies available which support claims that corn steep liquor may protect plants from specific abiotic and biotic stresses (extreme temperatures, nutritional limitations, salinity, drought, pathogens). Study results showed that application of the liquor increased aerial biomass and leaf area of various agricultural and horticultural crops under normal and saline conditions. In addition, studies have observed improved stress resiliance when grown in hydroponic systems with the liquor.

Appearance and life cycle

Taxonomic classification

Class: Magnoliopsida; Order: Asterales; Family: Asteraceae

GB regulatory status

GB COPR regulatory status

Not approved

Date COPR inclusion expires

Not applicable

GB LERAP status

No UK approval for use as a plant protection agent

EC Regulation 1107/2009 (repealing 91/414)

EC Regulation 1107/2009 status

Not approved

Dossier rapporteur/co-rapporteur

Not applicable

Date EC 1107/2009 inclusion expires

Not applicable

EU Candidate for substitution (CfS)

Not applicable

Listed in EU database

Yes

Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 in the following EU Member States

ATAustria	BEBelgium	BGBulgaria	CYCyprus	CZCzech Republic	DEGermany	DKDenmark	EEEstonia	ELGreece

ESSpain	FIFinland	FRFrance	HRCroatia	HUHungary	IEIreland	ITItaly	LTLithuania	LULuxembourg

LVLatvia	MTMalta	NLNetherlands	PLPoland	PTPortugal	RORomania	SESweden	SISlovenia	SKSlovakia

Approved for use (✓) under EC 1107/2009 by Mutual Recognition of Authorisation and/or national regulations in the following EEA countries

ISIceland	NONorway

Additional information

Known to be also used in the following countries

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Artemisia vulgaris oil is not a single isomeric compound but it contains multiple molecules that exhibit isomerism, especially among its terpenoid constituents. These include cineole that can exist in stereoisomeric forms depending on its source and synthesis, camphor that is a bicyclic ketone with optical isomers (D- and L-camphor), and thujone that exists as alpha-thujone and beta-thujone, which are structural isomers.

Chemical formula

Canonical SMILES

Isomeric SMILES

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

2D structure diagram/image available?

General status

Biopesticide type

Herbicide; Insecticide; Other substance

Other bioactivity & uses

Food additive; Herbal pharmaceutical; Biostimulant - growth enhancement & improved abiotic stress resiliance

Substance groups

Plant-derived substance; Plant oil

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Natural; Complex mixture

Mode of action

As a biostimulant the mode of action is not fully clear. Some studies have concluded that growth, plant strength and so abiotic stress tolerance is due to an improvement in the photosynthetic efficiency and a reduction in the generation of reactive oxygen species. Supports the growth of nitrogen-fixing and phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria

Substance source

Occurs in the aerial biomass of mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris L.)

Uses

Crop protection; Public health

Target pests

Pigweed Amaranthus retroflexus; Yellow-fever mosquito Aedes aegypti; Red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum)

Target host

Maize; Cereals; Stored products

Farming system suitability

CAS RN

EC number

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

Molecular mass

Chemical name

Artemisia vulgaris extract

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

CAS name

Forever chemical

Other status information

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Herbicide Resistance Class (HRAC MoA class)

Not applicable

Herbicide Resistance Class (WSSA MoA class)

Not applicable

Insecticide Resistance Class (IRAC MoA class)

Not applicable

Fungicide Resistance Class (FRAC MOA class)

Not applicable

Examples of recorded resistance

Physical state

A brown liquid when formulated which is comprised mainly of oxygenated monoterpenes including beta-pinene, alpha-pinene, camphor, and 1,8-cineole

Related substances & organisms

Artemisia absinthium extract

alpha-pinene

1,8-cineole

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Novel

Introduction & key dates

early-2000, first recorded IPM use

Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically

La Maison de l'Artemisia

Example products using this active

Artemisia vulgaris Botanical Insecticide

Formulation and application details

Often formulated as emulsifiable concentrates and concentrated aqueous extracts

Commercial production

Commercial production of Artemisia vulgaris oil involves cultivating the plant in temperate regions where it grows abundantly. The aerial parts, especially the flowering tops, are harvested when the essential oil content is highest. These plant materials are then subjected to steam distillation, a process that extracts volatile compounds like cineole and thujone. After distillation, the oil is filtered and sometimes refined to meet purity standards.

Impact on climate of production and use

Data for specific plant oils is scarce. However, from publicly available data the carbon footprint of plant oils has been estimated at between 1.0 and 4.0 kg CO₂e per kg of oil. This depends on the plant oil content, agricultural practices and processing methods used.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Melting point (°C)

Boiling point (°C)

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

Log P

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

General biodegradability

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

DT₅₀ modelling endpoint

Note

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on plant matrix

Value

Note

Dissipation rate RL₅₀ (days) on and in plant matrix

Value

Note

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

6200

Rat

Low

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

(ppm diet)

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Notes

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic Plants (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

6200

Rat

Low

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

20000

Rat

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

Used in herbal medicine for regulating the gastrointestinal system and treat various gynecological diseases
Reported to exhibit antiulcer, anticancer, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Flammable liquid

CLP classification 2013

Handling: H226
Health: H320

WHO Classification

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Packaging Group III (minor danger)

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

Store at room temperature

TRANSLATIONS

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Name

English

Artemisia vulgaris oil

French

German

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Italian

Spanish

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Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	25/08/2025
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242