Mugwort, Artemesia vulgarisis, most commonly known as the plant for dreams. As the name suggests, this herb effects the subconscious and promotes vivid dreams. It is named after Artemis, the Greek goddess of the moon and hunt and has a rich history in many herbal traditions as an herb used in spiritual and ritual functions.
A Little History on Mugwort
Mugwort has seen many uses throughout the years. It is believed that St. John the Baptist put it in his clothing when he was out in the wilderness for protection, hence its nickname, St. John’s Plant. To help increase stamina, Roman solders placed it in their sandals before going off to battle. The Anglo-Saxon tribes believed that mugwort was one of the Nine Herb Charms gifted to the world by the god Woden.
Some Native American tribes used mugwort as a tool to ward off evil spirits. The 16th century herbalist and astrologer, Nicholas Culpeper, associated it with the planet Venus and therefore is considered a nourishing herb for women’s health and vitality.
Mugwort has been notated as far back as 3 B.C., where it can be found in Chinese poetry and ballads.
And for those beer lovers, mugwort was used before hops became the standard in recipes.
The Medicinal Qualities of Mugwort
Like the title of this blog post says, mugwort has so much more to offer then just dreams.
Pain Relief
Mugwort contains several analgesic compounds, including monoterpenes, that help with pain when used topically. Traditional Chinese Medicine has a long history of using this herb for pain relief.
Eliminates toxins
Because mugwort is considered a diuretic, it stimulates urination, one of the best way for your body to eminate toxins. In conjunction, it may also benefit the kidneys and bladder, improving their function and reducing the likelihood of infection.
Supports the immune system
With its high concentration of vitamin C and other antioxidants, mugwort is wonderful for helping support your immune system. Because vitamin C acts as a powerful antioxidant, it also helps neutralize the free radicals that cause inflammation and weaken the body’s immune system.
Helps with indigestion
Several of its active compounds also stimulate the production of bile, which can speed digestion. Mugwort also helps to ease indigestion, stimulates appetite, reduces bloating and cramps. It may also combat uncomfortable conditions like constipation and diarrhea.
Be careful, as it is also a natural laxative. So don’t overdo it.
Helps with menstrual cramps
Mugwort can help in the treatment of dysmenorrhea, or menstrual cramps. It can also stimulate and regulate menstruation and support the body during the menopausal transition. Please note, pregnant women should not take it because it could lead to miscarriage and premature labor.
Helps with bone density
With its high concentration of potassium, iron, and calcium, mugwort is excellent for helping to maintain healthy bones and preventing osteoporosis, along with other age-related bone issues.
Vision support
The beta carotene-derived vitamin A, found in mugwort, might protect against macular degeneration and slow cataract development.
Diabetes
A 2017 review concluded that aqueous and alcoholic (i.e., tea and tincture) extracts of mugwort and other species within the Artemisia genus can effectively decrease blood glucose levels with relatively lesser side effects than standard antidiabetic medications.
Rids parasites
Mugwort, like its sister plant wormwood, it can help get parasites and intestinal worms out of your body. It also works against candida, including Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus typhi, B. dysenteriae, streptococci, E. coli, B. subtilis, and pseudomonads (a 2020 review featured in PubMed by Halina Ekiert confirms this).
Reduces stress and anxiety
The nervine properties of mugwort may make it very helpful for treating anxiety, depression, and chronic stress. Herbalist David Hoffman writes, “[Mugwort] has a mild nervine action, which also appears to be related to volatile oil content, that may help ease depression and tension.” Need to relax? Make a cup of mugwort tea.
Malaria
It has long been used for treating malaria since the outbreak in 1970, including the high-drug resistant strains. Mugwort contains artemisinin, an active chemical compound extracted from artemisia plants that makes it a perfect treatment for malaria.
Cleanses the Air
Burning certain dried herbs helps to kill bad bacteria lingering around.
Mugwort has antimicrobial properties, so if you just want to purge your house of nasty bacteria, consider using a mugwort smudge or incense.
Hallucinogenic Properties?
Mugwort has long been praised for its “psychic” and even “hallucinogenic” properties. But in reality, its hallucinogenic properties are nowhere near as intense as herbs like wormwood (which mugwort is related to) or vervain, and those who have experienced a narcotic high won’t find the experience similar at all.
Some users have claimed that it helps them remember their dreams more vividly and even have the occasional lucid dream.
The Plant Itself
Mugwort is a perennial that self-seeds and will grow just about anywhere, in fields and along roadways. It is considered an invasive weed in many places because it is fast-spreading .
It is a tall, upright plant, reaching six feet, with beautiful feathery leaves. The tops of the leaves vibrant green and the undersides have a silver iridescent hue.
It is in the Asteraceae family, so if you are allergic to daisies, you may want to be careful in how you interact with mugwort.
During the summer, mugwort displays small red, pink, orange, and yellow flowers. It’s known for being attractive to pollinators like bees and butterflies.
How to use Mugwort
There are many ways to use and take mugwort. The entire plant can be used, the roots, leaves and flowers. Listed below are some to get you started on your mugwort journey.
Food
The flowers and leaves can be used in a variety of food dishes. It pairs well with rich, heavy foods, helping to digest them more easily.
This herb can be used like any other green. It can go raw into salads. It does have a bitter taste, so start with just a small amount mixed with other greens.
Mugwort also goes well in soups and stews, like cilantro or parsley. Don’t stop there, you can add it to rice, chicken and fish to add flavor.
Being it is a green, throw some into your next green smoothie, if that’s your thing.
Tea
Because mugwort helps with gas, stomach acid, bile production, and overall digestion, tea is an easy way to handle these issues.
Taking it as a tea before going to bed helps to soothe the nerves. It could also give you some interesting dreams!
Fun fact: Back in WWII, when tea became a pricey luxury, mugwort was used as a tea substitute in some parts of England.
Tincture
Tinctures are a simple and easy way to get mugwort into your system. You can either make your own or purchase it from an herbalist or natural wellness store.
Moxibustion
This is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves the burning of mugwort to promote healing with acupuncture.
Mugwort leaves are dried and then lit over acupuncture points to circulate and strengthen blood and move energetic qi stagnation in the body. This facilitates energetic movement where there is limitation, restriction and stagnancy in the mind, body, and spirit.
Smudge stick
Using a mugwort smudge stick can help to purify and clean the air. It can get rid of bacteria and other pathogens that may be in the air.
Bug repellant
If you have problems with aphids or other insects in your garden, you may want to consider having a plant or two of mugwort. Remember, mugwort can be a bit greedy when it comes to space, so growing it in a pot will help it from taking over your garden.
A 2013 study affirmed this traditional knowledge of mugwort’s insecticidal properties, finding that even low concentrations of mugwort essential oil repelled and killed mosquito larvae.
You can make a weak mugwort tea and put it in a spray bottle for a bug spray.
Need mugwort now?
You can purchase my Mugwort Tincture from my Herbal Shop today.
I wildcraft the plant myself in Central MN and make the tinctures in small batches.
I use the folk method for making all my tinctures, which uses no measurements except sizing things up with your eyes. So I put the plant material in a jar and then fill with alcohol.
The tincture comes in a 1 oz bottle with dropper.
