Mugwort
Mugwort
Artemisia Vulgaris
Grows 6 foot tall
USDA Hardiness zones 3 -10
People take the rest of the plant for stomach and intestinal conditions including colic, diarrhea, constipation, cramps, weak digestion, worm infestations, and persistent vomiting. Mugwort is also used to stimulate gastric juice and bile secretion. It is also used as a liver tonic; to promote circulation; and as a sedative. Other uses include treatment of hysteria, epilepsy, and convulsions in children. (1)
Women take mugwort for irregular periods and other menstrual problems. (1)
In combination with other ingredients, mugwort root is used for mental problems (psychoneuroses), ongoing fatigue and depression (neurasthenia), depression, preoccupation with illness (hypochondria), general irritability, restlessness, trouble sleeping (insomnia), and anxiety. (1)
Uses & Effectiveness
- Itching caused by scars, when applied to the affected skin. Developing research suggests that applying a lotion containing mugwort and menthol directly to the skin relieves itching in severe burn victims.
- Stomach problems (colic, diarrhea, cramps, constipation, slow digestion, vomiting).
- Epilepsy.
- Irregular menstrual periods.
- Low energy.
- Anxiety.
Other names for Mugwort Cronewort, Common wormwood, wild wormwood, Felon herb, St. John's Plant, Chrysanthemum weed, sailor's tobacco, moxa, Artemis Herb, Naughty Man, Old man, Old Uncle Henry, Muggons (2)
Mugwort and Magick
All varieties of Artemesia are sacred to the Goddess Artemis who gives comfort (or death) to women in labor. Also, Diana through association and Hecate, Patron of herbalists and midwives. Mugwort is also associated with the moon which in turn is associated with the cycles of womanhood. (2)
Mugwort is feminine in nature, associated with the element of earth, and either Venus or the Moon (depends who you ask) and ruled by either Taurus or Libra. (2)
Mugwort can be used as a sacred smoking herb or burned as a fumigant for protection or divination. It is safe to smoke (as safe as smoking anything is) by itself, mixed with tobacco, or other smokeables in a ritual context and is said to enhance astral projection, lucid dreaming and other altered states of consciousness. Some say that simply keeping mugwort under your pillow or in your bedroom will encourage prophetic dreams. Try making a dream pillow stuffed with mugwort. If you do keep it in your bedroom, remember that it is closely related to ragweed and the flowers may trigger some allergies. (2)
Others say you must burn it or smoke it in order to utilize its conscious-altering affects. Burn mugwort in an incense burner as you use divination tools to help open your mind to any messages coming in. (2)
If you are not pregnant, a cup of mugwort tea before bedtime will also encourage lucid dreaming. I recommend Mountain Rose Herbs Dream Tea which contains mugwort as well as several other supportive herbs. I use it myself. (2)
Mugwort is also used in protective sachets, especially those created in relation to travel. It is said to prevent delays, and other annoyances associated with traveling, as well as to protect the traveler from accidents, thieves and other dangers associated with traveling. (2)
Mugwort stems also make very nice wands, though they aren't very sturdy. (2)
Use herbal water made of mugwort to cleanse ritual tools, especially those used for divination. (2)
Hanging mugwort over or on a door will keep unwelcome energies from passing through. (2)
A garland or girdle of mugwort can be worn while dancing around the midsummer balefire and thrown into the fire at the end of the night to ensure protection throughout the year. (2)
Medicinal Uses
In herbal medicine, this herb has been used to treat cardiovascular problems, feelings of unease, malaise, unwellness, abnormal bleeding, high-grade fever, cold, cough, purging the stomach of impurities, flatulence, bloating, intestinal parasites, indigestion, malabsorption of nutrients, epilepsy, fits, cerebral palsy, burning, chronic pain, itching, wart, rash from poison oak, loss of appetite, chronic stomach complaints, rheumatic disorder, nervous problems, spasms, sterility, asthma, abnormal menstrual bleeding and other menstrual complaints, and brain disease. It also strengthens the digestive system. (3)
It also expels pinworms in the intestine. Mugwort has many medicinal properties such as stimulant, antibacterial, purgative, anthelmintic, nervine, anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, antiseptic, expectorant, antispasmodic, emmenagogue, carminative, digestive, diaphoretic, and cholagogue properties. (3)
Because of these properties, it is also used to thin blood. Mugwort is used in the treatment called moxibustion where it is attached to acupuncture needles. It works on the affected area by releasing heat. This technique is very effective in treating breech babies to change their cephalic position during delivery. Even though it has so many medicinal properties, it should not be used by lactating women as this herb can pass through milk to the infant. (3)
Since the leaves are bitter in taste, they are used as a bitter flavoring agent in foods to season meat, fish, and fat. It is also used on roasted goose which is done for Christmas. It is used by the Chinese and Japanese in many foods such as juices and rice cakes. It has many essential oils such as thujone, wormwood, and cineole. Mugwort also contains derivates of coumarin, triterpenes, and flavonoids. This herb has found its use as an insect repellent too to eliminate moths from fields and gardens. It is also used as a smudging herb for divination. (3)
Mental Effects
Mugwort also has hallucinogenic properties. This psychoactive herb is used by some people as a dream enhancer by putting it under their pillow. This mild hallucinogen can be brewed or smoked. (3)
Many users have reported astral travel and prophetic dreams with the use of this herb. This herb was used in the manufacturing of beers. Since mugwort is a mild hallucinogen, it does not cause any harmful side effects. (3)
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