Artemisia vulgaris

Family: Asteraceae

History & Growing: Mugwort is a mystical plant with a long history of medicinal and spiritual practices. Named for its use in flavoring brews, meads, and beer, mugwort’s Latin name comes from the Greek goddess Artemis. Artemis is the fierce mythical goddess associated hunting, the wild and wild animals, childbirth and the protector of young women. Mugwort’s actions and signatures certainly reflect Artemis! Mugwort is a shrub-like perennial that grows to about 3 feet in height. She boasts green leaves with silvery soft underbellies and boasts yellow flowers when in bloom during late summer. Often planted in early spring after a period of cold stratification, some say mugwort can be tough to grow. Native to Europe and parts of Africa & Asia, now naturalized to North America, Artemisia grows well in many temperate soil conditions. Artemisia vulgaris is the most common variety used medicinally, but it’s worth looking into what species grows best in your region if you plan to cultivate this little wonder.

Parts Used Medicinally: Leaves most commonly but the whole plant is medicinal including flowers and root

Supplementation Forms:  Tea, tincture, glycerite, smokable herbal medicine, moxibustion (burned as incense just above the body over acupuncture sights), steams, baths, infused oil/vinegar, sleep pillow

Taste: Bitter, pungent/aromatic

Energetics: Warming & drying; Relaxant stimulant.

• Mugwort is a good remedy for cold/depression, damp/stagnation and wind/tension states. [3]

Actions: [1][2][3]

• Antispasmodic
• Antiseptic
• Mild anthelmintic
• Bitter tonic
• Carminative
• Cholagogue (promotes bile production in liver, sort of a “natural laxative”) AND choleretic (a type of cholagogue that promotes the release of bile from the gall bladder into the duodenum)
• Nervine sedative AND stimulant
• Emmenagogue
• Expectorant
• Mild uterine antispasmodic
• Oneirogen (induces dream-state)

Key Constituents: High in volatile oils (namely caryophyllene), sesquiterpene lactone, flavonoids, coumrin derivatives, and triterpenes [2]

Organs & Body Systems + Current Uses:  

• Liver &  Digestive system:
  • A pungent, warming herb with carminative and antispasmodic actions, mugwort improves blood flow to the digestive system. This help ease tension or spasming in the digestive system. As a bitter also stimulates blow which helps support digestion, making a choice herb for clearing stagnation in the liver. Can be used to support elimination of worms [2]
  • A 2020 show it has an inhibitory effect on bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella [1][4]
• Female reproductive system
  • Menopause support
• • Stimulates menstruation by stimulating blood flow to reproductive organs while relaxing the uterus. Mugwort is “draining and downward bearing” which can help encourage menstruation with its bitter properties [3] Sajah Popham notes it is helpful for both amenorrhea & dysmenorrhea because of this. Supporting the liver may help support menses!
  • Indicated in liver stagnation/hyperandrogenism (excess androgen hormones) [3]
• Nervous System
  • Uniquely a sedative and stimulant for the nervous system.
• • “Revitalizing” – warming, aromatic, stimulating. Indicated where there may be degenerative nerve conditions, poor blood supply, trauma, and/or insufficient nutrient supply. Soothes/relaxes states like: generalized nervousness, anxiety, insomnia. [3]
  • Invokes lucid dreaming
• Respiratory/Immune Systems
  • Cold & flu support – diaphoretic actions
  • Encourages coughing/expectorating mucus in a wet cough

Traditional Uses:

• Known as the “Mater Herbarum” or the mother of herbs, it was often used as a tonic to support digestion
• Used to support childbirth
  • 13^th century herbal The Physicians of Myddfai mentions “If a woman be unable to give birth to her child let the mugwort be bound to her left thigh. Let it be instantly removed when she has been delivered, lest there should be hemorrhage.” [2]
  • 18^th century Diego de Torres (Spain) recommended a mugwort plaster below the bellybutton to induce labor
• Roman soldier’s put mugwort in their sandals to keep their feet fresh and fight fatigue
• John the Baptist was rumored to have worn a girdle of mugwort for protection
• Mugwort is a common plant in the British Isles, long associated with warding off evil spirits and used in amulets
• Used in Chinese practice of moxa where a burning, cigar-like roll of mugwort is burned and placed over acupuncture points.
• Native Americans used mugwort for protection against ghosts; uses included wearing a necklace of the leaves in hopes of preventing dreams of the dead
• Insect repellent: Name could be from its early days when Dioscorides regards mugwort in conjuct with wormwood for keeping moth attacks at bay [1]
  • 2013 study showed mugwort essential oil beneficial in repelling and killing mosquito larvae [1]
  • Can add to DIY repellents with other essential oils (like citronella) diluted in water

Superpower: DREAMS! Mugwort is often used to encourage lucid dreaming, which can be supremely healing and beneficial for some and leave others feeling exhausted after a “hard night of dreaming.” Depending on the person, mugwort can help a “dreamy” person feel more grounded or, on the flip side, help someone connect more deeply to a dream state. Sajah Popham notes “Mugwort is a specific remedy for sensitive and dreamy people who struggle with being present.” People who struggle with sensory overload or who are emotionally sensitive may benefit from mugworts unique actions and affinities. Lastly, due to its affinity for the nervous system and female reproductive system, mugwort can be especially powerful for those who have experienced sexual trauma. Mugwort, with its warming & stimulating attributes, can help move / clear stagnation, clean and renew the mind and pelvic region, especially when paired with other herbs with this affinity (Rose, calendula) [3]

When to Reach for Herb & In What Form:

• For sleep support: dream pillow or low dose in an herbal sleep infusion (skullcap, lemon balm/chamomile)
• For grounding: a droppersful of tincture with other tonic herbs
• For digestion: a few drops of tincture before a meal

Dosage & Preparation:

• High in volatile oils and relatively unpalatable in taste, mugwort is a great herb to tincture.
• Note varying species may have varying potency, so try starting small and adjusting dosage accordingly.
• Tincture: 1-4 ml, 1-3 times/day [1]
  • Fresh: 1:2 @ 65% ABV [2]
  • Dried: 1:5 @ 25% ABV [1]
• Infusion: .5-2 grams dried herb/day [1]

Contraindications:

• Avoid use when pregnant or nursing
• Avoid in cases of Aster allergy

Elemental, Planetary & Dosha Discussion:

• Moon & Venus co-ruled plant associated with the Air element [3]
  • Moon – Silvery leaves, impact on sleep and dreaming (moon)
• • Venus – Actions on female reproductive system & energetically relaxant
  • Air – Relieves tension, spasms, moves stuck energy, aromatic, growing style
• May aggravate the pitta dosha (warm/dry) so formulating is key! Great for moving stagnation in kappa dosha; may be a great herb for vata dosha so long as formulated with a moistening herb (drying)

Citations & Recommended Reading:

1. Mugwort Uses & Plant Profile Summary, Learning Herbs by Tara Ruth
2. Encylopedia of Herbal Medicine by Andrew Chevallier
3. Mugwort: The Herb of Dreams by Sajah Popham
4. Ekiert, Halina et al. “Significance of Artemisia Vulgaris L. (Common Mugwort) in the History of Medicine and Its Possible Contemporary Applications Substantiated by Phytochemical and Pharmacological Studies.” Molecules, 25, no. 19 (2020), PubMed, doi:10.3390/molecules25194415 
5. Mountain Rose Herbs: Mugwort product

Recipe of the Week: Mugwort & Lemon Balm Infusion

• 1/2-1tsp dried mugwort
• handful of fresh lemon balm leaves (or approx 2 tsp dried)
• 8 oz hot water
• Infuse for 10 minutes, strain and enjoy!

Nervous Digestion Sleepy Time Tea:

• 1 teaspoons of each: organic, dried lemon balm, passionflower, skullcap,
• ½ teaspoon organic, dried mugwort
• 8 oz hot water

Directions: Steep herbs in water for 15 minutes. Strain and consume 1-2 hours before bed.