Objective To establish an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method for determining 22 mineral elements in Artemisia capillaris, to study their content and distribution, and to analyze their edible safety.Methods The content levels of 22 elements, including B, Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Sr, Mo, Cd, Ba, Pb, and Hg, in A. capillaris samples collected from 18 regions in Henan Province were determined by ICP-MS. Principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis were performed using SPSS to analyze characteristic elements and geographic clustering.Results The correlation coefficients of the linear regression equations for all 22 elements were above 0.999 0. Limits of detection (LOD) ranged from 0.005 to 3.729 μg/L. Recovery rates ranged from 96.4% to 105.2%, and relative standard deviations (RSDs) were between 1.17% and 2.35%. A. capillaris contained abundant mineral elements, with the highest levels of K (8 160.81 mg/kg), Mg (751.24 mg/kg), and Ca (499.69 mg/kg). The content of Pb, As, Hg, Cd, and Cr complied with the requirements of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. The levels of As and Hg were far below the heavy metal limits for fresh leafy vegetables specified in GB 2762—2022 National Food Safety Standard: Limits of Contaminants in Foods. Pb and Cd slightly exceeded the limits, while Cr exceeded the limits more significantly. PCA results showed that the first four principal components accounted for 84.41% of the variance. Cluster analysis grouped the 18 regions into three categories.Conclusion Mineral element content in A. capillaris exhibits obvious regional differences. V, Fe, Co, Mg, Al, Ti, Ni, B, Mo, Ca, and Zn were identified as characteristic elements. When used medicinally, A. capillaris is relatively safe. However, consumption as a leafy vegetable poses certain safety risks.