There are 2 species of mugwort described on the World Health Organization Allergen Database, Artemisia lavandulifolia also known as lavender leaf mugwort and Artemisia vulgaris also known as common mugwort.

There are 3 pollen allergens associated with lavender leaf mugwort included a lipid transfer protein, Art la 3 and Art la 2 which is PR-1 protein. Art la 1 is a Plant Defensin protein. These are peptides in the plant which help protect against fungal infections.

Common mugwort has 6 associated 2 allergens associated with mugwort tree pollen, they are all allergens associated with airways.

Art v 2 is a PR-1 protein, where PR indicates it is involved in plant defence (PR = Pathogenesis Related).

Art v 3 is a Lipid Transfer Protein (LTP), which can cause serious allergic reactions across multiple plants. Art v 4 is a profilin protein, these are panallergens and can cause allergies across multiple species of plants and foods.

Art v 5 is a polcalcin protein, which is a calcium binding protein commonly associated with pollen germination. These proteins are highly cross reactive.

Mugwort pollen occurs in the UK between June and September, peaking in July. This varies in different countries. It is considered to have low allergenicity unless in close proximity to a plant.

An allergy to mugwort pollen is strongly associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis (hayfever).

Mugwort contains PR-1 proteins so is strongly linked to oral allergy symptoms and Celery Mugwort Spice Syndrome which is much like Pollen Food Allergy Syndrome, but instead of being sensitised by Bet v proteins which are PR-10 proteins this group of foods are all PR-1 linked foods.

A mugwort pollen allergy is also linked to asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and atopic dermatitis.

There is cross reactivity between the many species of wormwood and mugwort plants due to the PR-1 protein. This protein is also found in foods such as melon and peach.

Other plant pollens which contain polcalcin proteins are ragweed, alder, birch, timothy grass, lilac and olive. There is also a polcalcin protein in turnips which is associated with this allergy presenting itself as a food allergy.

Other plants containing profilin inhalant allergens are ragweed, wormwood, birch, sunflower, olive, plantain, poplar and oak. Profilins are also found as food allergens in kiwi, celery, peanut, chilli, watermelon, orange, hazelnut, melon, carrot, strawberry, soya, walnut, lychee, lupin, apple, cherry, almond, peach, pear, mustard, tomato and aubergine.

Other plants containing inhalant LTP allergens are wormwood, mugwort and plane. Foods containing LTP include kiwi, strawberry, sunflower, walnut, apple, mulberry, pea, apricot, cabbage, peanut, chestnut, celery, lemon tangerine, orange, lettuce, lentil, lupin, mustard, cherry, plum, almond, peach, pomegranate, raspberry, tomato and grape.

Defensin proteins are also found in ragweed, wormwood and soya pollen. They are also found as food allergens in celery, peanut and chestnuts.

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