This post talks about mugwort: a plant that has a long and powerful relationship with people. We have ancient connections with it through medicine and ritual, and people still have a relationship with it today.
The history of mugwort’s tightly wound relationship with humanity is vast. It is referred to in ancient texts from Egypt, Greece, and Rome.1 Having been referred to as “mater herbarum,” or “the mother of herbs,” its scientific surname Artemesia refers to the Greek goddess Artemis. This deity was the ruler of many things, including hunting, and—notably in this context—new and soon-to-be mothers. Ancient rites for the goddess(es) by the names Artemis (Greece), Isis (Egypt), and Diana (Rome) had connection with mugwort.
In a medical context, people have for millennia taken it as an aid for:
- painful urination
- kidney stones
- menstruation
- gastrointestinal pain and discomfort
- poultices for wound treatment, gout, leg fatigue, and fever
Texts from the 1800’s also indicate mugwort as a treatment for epilepsy and neurosis.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is burned as moxa to improve movement of chi.
In Indian herbal practices, it is used as an aid for liver inflammation, enlargement, and obstruction, and for kidney stones, as well as for painful periods.
Traditional South American practices also include mugwort in treatment for fever, malaria, and gastric disorders.
European folk medicine indicates mugwort as a gastrointestinal relaxant to help with relieving colic and for laxative effects.
Traditional medicine practices also include mugwort for treatment of insomnia, epilepsy, depression, stress, hypertension, and induction of labor or miscarriage.
Mugwort tea
Mugwort, whose Latin name is Artemisia vulgaris, is commonly used to make tea. People like to drink it before bed as it can aid sleep and intensify dreams and dream recall. People also use it to make their period more regular.
Mugwort tea benefits (and other forms)
Mugwort tea is known to aid sleep, intensify dreams, and help regulate the menstrual cycle.
In addition to use as a tea, people often make mugwort satchets, pillows, and incense so they can experience the calming, dreamy effect of it from the atmosphere. Some people also prefer to smoke it. Mugwort is also prepared as a fresh-root tincture in 65% ethanol. This tincture can treat irregular menstruation, menopausal symptoms, sleepwalking, seizures, epilepsy, and anxiety.
Mugwort Benefits
Here is a list of effects from mugwort extracts that are supported with scientific evidence:
- Antioxidant (helps with overall health)
- Hepatoprotective (helps the liver)
- Antispasmolytic (helps reduce abdominal contractions)
- Bronchodilatory (eases breathing)
- Analgesic (helps reduce pain)
- MAO inhibition (can help with depression)
- Antihypertensive (helps reduce hypertension in arteries, however, large doses have caused hypertension)
- Estrogenic (Increases estrogen, can reduce fertility)
- Cytotoxic (can help excessive cell growth)
- Antifungal/antibacterial (can kill some pathogens)
- Anti-inflammatory (helps with inflammation)
- Antiallergenic (although some people are allergic to the pollen)
- Antimalarial (helps fight malaria)
- Anthelmintic (stuns or kills parasites)
It is clear from this list that mugwort can be very helpful in many ways. It’s no wonder that our connection with it is so ancient and strong.
How to make mugwort tea
Mugwort tea is made by pouring boiling water over 1.2 grams, or 1 teaspoon, of mugwort’s aerial parts. It must be steeped for at least five minutes, but many people like to brew it for even longer. Personally, I do mine for ten minutes.
How much mugwort tea to start period
Since the concentrations and ratios of chemical compounds found in mugwort vary widely based on location, soil composition, climate, etc., there is no standard amount for any particular use. However, it has been known to induce menstruation, so please be careful with it. If you are happily pregnant, it is best to avoid this herb.
Mugwort essence
Mugwort essential oil (diluted) is known to harm and repel insects. Gardeners find that their mugwort plants usually remain safe from pests. The oil also has antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Where to buy mugwort
The best place to buy mugwort is at a local apothecary. You can look on Google Maps or Yelp to help find one that has what you’re looking for. If there isn’t an apothecary near you, ordering something online is an option. Another option is to forage for mugwort yourself if it can be found in your area. It grows in “…waste areas, disturbed areas, along railroads, edges of woods, and in prairie restorations.”2
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