Mugwort (Common Wormwood)

• Common Name: Mugwort (Common Wormwood)
• Latin Name: Artemisia spp.
• Family Name: Asteraceae

The toxic chemical in Mugwort is thujone, which inhibits particular receptors in the brain.  Thujone is best known as the active component of the drink absinthe (an alcoholic drink made with wormwood oil from Artemesia absinthium), and if taken in quantity in can cause fits, hallucinations, and psychoses in humans.  This plant should not be fed to tortoises.