Medicinal, Magickal Mugwort

Disclaimer: This information is in no way intended to be a substitute for modern medical care. Do not self-treat any medical complaint without the guidance of a licensed health care provider.

      Once used to brew ale, mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) has been valued for thousands of years as a medicinal herb. The plant stimulates appetite, promotes good digestion, reduces fevers and relieves tension. When prepared as a tea, mugwort also provides an excellent source of minerals, especially calcium.
      Steeped in tradition, this herb was a crucial magickal cure used by ancient soothsayers; it was also used to alleviate gynecological complaints. Roman soldiers once put it in their sandals to relieve aching feet on long journeys.
      Practitioners of natural medicine continue to use the herb as a remedy for disorders of the digestive and reproductive systems. It can also be used to treat intermittent fevers with chills and shivering and is added to healing baths to ease discomfort from eczema, gout and arthritis. Its sagelike, spicy flavor makes a delicious seasoning for meat dishes.

Plant Facts
      This perennial member of the family Compositae grows into a large bush and can reach heights of 6-7 feet. The tops of the forest-green leaves provide a striking contrast to the undersides, which are a shimmery silver. tiny flowers, which are covered with a downy white fuzz, form droopy clusters. The herb has a fresh aromatic scent and a spicy, slightly bitter flavor.

Origins
      Originally from northern Europe, mugwort is also grown in Asia and North America. It grows in full sun and sandy soil that is rich in nutrients.

Parts Used
      Harvested throughout the growing season, the leaves and tender young stems can be used either fresh or dried for medicinal purposes.

Components
      Mugwort’s essential oils offer more than 100 components, such as thujone, camphor, linalool, cineole, falvonoids, santonin, tannins and absinthin, a bitter principle. CAUTION: Excessive intake of thujone can damage the heart and nervous system. Large amounts of santonin, which is used to eliminate intestinal worms, may cause hallucinations. Therefore, use mugwort only in small amounts.

Indications
      Due to the presence of bitter compounds, the herb stimulates the production of gastric juices which boosts the appetite, improves digestion and eases digestive complaints. Mugwort also promotes sweating, thus reducing high fevers associated with the flu. It also regulates menstruation, relieves weakness, combats intestinal worms and calms the central nervous system.
      Mugwort tea is an excellent source of calcium, which maintains good bone density, while soothing both body and mind.
      In addition, mugwort eases anxiety and tension. It can also be made into a medicinal pillow; the aroma stimulates the brains; limbic system and induces dreams. CAUTION: Do not exceed recommended dosages. Mugwort may stimulate contractions, so shouldn’t be used during pregnancy. Some of the components are too much for an infant, so do not use while breast-feeding.

Methods of Administration

Tea
      For a poor appetite, pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tsp. of dried herb. Steep 5-10 min., strain. Drink 1 cup of mugwort tea, unsweetened, about 20 min. before meals.
Vinegar
      To boost digestion, pour 1 cup of organic apple cider vinegar over ½ cup of fresh or 1/8 cup dried mugwort. Steep in a jar with a tight-fitting lid for 10-15 days, then strain. Take 1 tsp. of the vinegar 3 times daily. Its shelf life is approx. 1 year.
Another tea to improve digestion; combine 1 tsp. each of mugwort, angelica, dandelion and gentian roots, fennel seed and orange peel. Pour 1 qt. of boiling water over 1 tbsp. of the blend, steep 10 min. and strain. Drink 1 cup in the morning on an empty stomach; drink the rest throughout the day.

Tincture
      To reduce a fever, pour 1½ cups brandy over ¼ cup of dried mugwort. Steep in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid for 4-6 weeks, shaking every few days. Strain. Take 10-20 drops of the tincture up to 3 times daily.

Medicinal Pillow
      To promote vivid dreams, fill a small pouch with ½ cup of dried herb; tie closed. Place inside your regular pillow near your face. Note: Don’t use if you have insomnia, as it may be too stimulating.

In the Kitchen and Around the House

• Mugwort clusters with flower buds still closed, either fresh or dried, can be used for seasoning in place of garden sage.
• Dried mugwort flowers make fatty dishes more digestible by stimulating the digestive process. Use mugwort for seasoning roast duck or goose, pork and mutton dishes, ground beef and fried fish.
• A few fresh flowers give added depth to garden and fruit salads, pancakes and quiche.
• The strong, spicy taste of the plant tends to dominate, so it harmonizes best with only a few other spices. Some of the flavors that combine well with mugwort are pepper, garlic, onions, ginger and most citrus fruits.
• Mugwort can be dried. Remove the leaves and hang the flowers in bundles in a well-ventilated, warm location. When stored in the dark in an airtight container, mugwort will keep for 1 year.
• To make a tonic for increasing a poor appetite, add ¾ oz. of the herb to 1 qt. of white wine and allow the mixture to stand in a sealed bottle for 8 days. Strain out the mugwort. Store the wine in a dark location and drink 1 small glass before meals, as needed.
• Mugwort is often used with other herbs, including angelica, lovage and gentian, as a flavoring for digestive stomach bitters and aperitifs, such as vermouth.
• Since mugwort attracts flies, you can hang a few bunches of the herb from the ceiling of a room or a stable to keep irritating insects away from people and animals.

Magickal Information

Folk Names: Artemis Herb, Artemesia, Felon Herb, Muggons, Naughty Man, Old Man, Old Uncle Henry, Sailor’s Tobacco, St. John’s Plant
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Element: Earth
Deities: Artemis, Diana
Powers: Strength, Psychic powers, Protection, Prophetic dreams, Healing, Astral projection
Magickal Uses:

• The Greek Goddess Diana, protector of pregnant women, believed mugwort to be sacred.
• If bound to her thigh while a woman was in labor, it was thought to help hasten delivery.
• Mugwort was formed into wreaths and thrown on fires at the Summer Solstice to rid individuals of their maladies and afflictions.
• Place mugwort in the shoes to gain strength during long walks or runs. For this purpose, pick mugwort before sunrise saying: Tollan te artemesia, ne lassus sim in via.
• A pillow stuffed with mugwort and slept upon will produce prophetic dreams.
• Mugwort is also burned with sandalwood or wormwood during scrying rituals
• A mugwort infusion (sweetened with honey) is drunk before divination.
• The infusion is used to wash crystal balls and magick mirrors and mugwort leaves are placed around the base of the ball (or beneath it) to aid in psychic workings.
• When carrying mugwort, you cannot be harmed by poison, wild beasts or sunstroke, according to ancient tradition.
• In a building, mugwort prevents elves and “evil thynges” from entering
• Bunches of mugwort are used in Japan by the Ainus to exorcise spirits of disease who are thought to hate the odor.
• In China, it is hung over doors to keep evil spirits from buildings.
• Mugwort is also carried to increase lust and fertility, to prevent backache, and to cure disease and madness.
• Placed next to the bed it aids in achieving astral projection.

Sources:
      All information provided in this article is the result of research using (but not limited to) the following books and guides: Herbs for Health and Healing, Rodale; Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, Scott Cunningham; Magical Herbalism, Scott Cunningham; The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, International Masters Publishers; Earthway, Mary Summer Rain; Teach Yourself Herbs, Susie White; Natural Beauty from the Garden, Janice Cox; Nature's Prescriptions, Editors of FC&A Medical Publishing, and The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies, Joe Graedon and Theresa Graedon, Ph.D