October’s Herb of the Month: Mugwort
Mugwort, silvery-green and quite abundant, often holds an affectionate spot in many herbalists’ hearts. It’s sometimes seen as an entry herb, sparking interest in the eyes of many to the medicinal and “magical” properties of herbs. Its Latin name Artemisia is named after Artemis, the Greek goddess of the Moon and hunting. As we’ll see, this lunar-loving, wild huntress of an herb helps us reach for our goals in both the real world and the dream world. Mugwort is native to large parts of Europe and Asia, which really speaks to its functionality and its versatility. It’s easy to grow, and all varieties can be used medicinally.
Common name: Mugwort
Latin name: Artemisia vulgaris
Parts Used: Aerial (leaves)
Benefits: Mild stimulant (bile), relieves nervous tension, helps with digestion, and helps stimulate menstrual cycles and alleviate abdominal cramps
Taste: Bitter, pungent, and aromatic
Energetics: warming, drying, and relaxing
History:
Long seen as a plant of protection, mugwort was used in Celtic traditions to ward off the evil eye, or just negative energy. On the Isle of Man, it was a common practice to wear a small sprig of mugwort on Tynwald Day to “ward off evil spirits.”1 Mugwort also has ties to ancient brewing practices. It was a popular addition to beer in ancient Sumeria, Egypt, and many European countries, where women were predominantly in charge of brewing beer. This practice disappeared around the 1500s when many brewing laws were changed that barred women from this traditional role.
By the 1600s, midwives used mugwort to help ease birth and cleanse the womb. In 1653, Nicholas Culpepper wrote of mugwort in his Complete Herbal, “This is an herb of Venus. Its tops, leaves, and flowers are full of virtue, they are aromatic, and most safe and excellent in female disorders.” As such, mugwort has been used for centuries to aid in female reproductive issues.2
Benefits:
Digestion:
Mugwort has an affinity for the digestive system and helps stimulate digestion by way of its carminative actions (helps dispel gas). It also has bitter tonic properties, which help drain fluids, so it aids the digestive system from the top down. It also helps by building up the production of bile in the liver and increasing bile secretions by the gallbladder.
Nervous system:
On the one hand, mugwort is considered a nervine stimulant. This doesn’t mean it works to stimulate the body the same way coffee does. Instead, it stimulates certain nerve activity. It’s been compared to rosemary in this way. When you smell rosemary in the air, you likely feel stimulated, but not agitated. Because of mugwort’s affinity for both the digestive system and the nervous system, it’s been used with great success for nervous digestive complaints like nervous cramping or nervous spasms.
On the other hand, herbalists also consider mugwort to be a nervine sedative. How can it be both a nervine stimulant and a nervine sedative? This is the beauty of plant synergistic properties. As a nervine sedative, it can be really great for gently calming down nervousness, anxiety, and tension. It can be good for sleeping, but many may find it to be too stimulating for dreams. So, you may find yourself sleeping well, but waking feeling a little exhausted from all of your dreams.
Female reproductive system:
Mugwort is a great emenagogue. This means it’s used to stimulate menses. It does this in two ways. Its aromatic properties stimulate blood flow, and its bitter properties are draining and work to pull fluids down and out of the body. Bitter herbs work to move a stuck or stagnant liver. Stagnant livers can be associated with PMS-like symptoms, since the liver is a main metabolic organ. It works to metabolize and detoxify hormones. Additionally, mugwort’s ability to calm the nervous system helps during times of cramps and excess stress associated with menses.
Emotional Aspects of Mugwort:
Emotionally, mugwort is good for people who tend to be highly sensitive, dreamy, and have a hard time staying focused in the present moment. It’s used to increase dream recall and provide heightened intuition due to its connection to the moon. It’s often used as a gentle ally for people experiencing anxiety, restlessness, or nervousness.
Recipes
Dream Pillows by Circle Sanctuary:
For a large-sized dream pillow, take a cotton pillow case liner, stuff it with dried Mugwort leaves to the desired thickness, and then securely shut the end. Another type of dream pillow is a Mugwort sachet. Cut two pieces of cloth of equal size. Most Mugwort dream sachets are square or rectangular since they are easiest to make, but they can be any shape and size. Place the right sides of the fabric pieces together and stitch a half-inch seam nearly completely around the edges. Turn the sachet bag inside out, fill it with Mugwort leaves, and then hand sew the opening shut. Place this sachet under your regular pillow or inside its pillowcase. Connect with your Mugwort sachet or pillow just after getting into bed. Touch it and smell its fragrance as you do an affirmation to bless sleep, guide dreaming, and aid dream recall and interpretation upon awaking.
Mugwort Liniment by The Herbal Academy:
Witch hazel (Hamamelis spp.) is a well-known over-the-counter astringent, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory, and the perfect medium for the mugwort leaves. This is an inexpensive herbal foot spray that you can store in the refrigerator.
Ingredients
- Organic witch hazel (Hamamelis spp.) extract
- Dried mugwort (Artemisia spp.) leaves
- 1-2 tablespoons dried lavender (Lavandula spp.) buds (optional, or substitute rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) leaves and/or peppermint (Mentha × piperita) leaves)
Directions
- Take a clean, dry jar and fill it half full with dried mugwort.
- Add a tablespoon or two of lavender buds, rosemary leaves, or peppermint leaves if desired.
- Fill the jar the rest of the way with witch hazel extract.
- Place a lid and a label on the jar, and allow it to extract for two to four weeks in a cool, dark location.
- When the liniment is ready, strain the herbs out of the liquid and transfer your liniment to a clean spritz bottle.
- Label the spritz bottle with the name of your formula, the date, and a reminder that it’s “For external use only!” This is very important if you used a commercial witch hazel extract, most of which contain isopropyl alcohol, which is highly toxic to ingest.
- To use, spritz it as desired on tired feet and legs after a long hike or a day on your feet. Follow with a gentle self-massage for additional support.
Rosemary Gladstar’s Dreamer’s Tea:
This is a favorite blend to awaken the dreamer and dream within. Sip slowly before bed and keep your dream journal handy!
Ingredients
- 1 part Rose petals
- 1/2 part Lavender
- 1/2 to 1 part Mugwort (The more, the better the effects; but it’s a very bitter herb.)
- 3 parts Chamomile
- 2 parts Chrysanthemum blossoms
- 2 parts Peppermint
Instructions
- Infuse the herbs. Drink at bedtime.
Missed our other Herbs of the Month? Check them out!:
September: Turmeric
August: Lavender
July: Burdock
Works Cited
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