Acute Lung Injury Caused by Mugwort Steaming

TL;DR

A woman developed acute lung injury from occupational exposure to mugwort steaming, a traditional health practice.

Contribution

This is the first reported case of acute lung injury caused by mugwort steaming.

Findings

A 48-year-old woman developed acute lung injury after occupational exposure to mugwort steaming.

Discontinuation of mugwort steaming led to improvement in the patient's condition.

The case highlights the potential risks of traditional practices on lung health.

Abstract

Mugwort steaming is a traditional health practice with reported biological benefits, but its potential adverse effects on lung health remain unexplored. We report a case of a 48-year-old Japanese female who developed recurrent respiratory symptoms and abnormal lung shadows following occupational exposure to mugwort steaming. Initial diagnosis suggested nonfibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis. However, transbronchial lung cryobiopsy revealed findings consistent with acute lung injury (ALI). Multi-disciplinary discussion led to a final diagnosis of ALI caused by mugwort steaming. The patient's condition improved when mugwort steaming was discontinued. This case represents the first reported instance of ALI associated with mugwort steaming. It highlights the need for caution in traditional practices and emphasizes the importance of considering unconventional exposures in unexplained lung pathologies. Further research is warranted to establish the safety profile and potential risks of mugwort steaming.

Figures