Mugwort

Common Names: Mugwort, felon herb, St. John’s plant, sailor’s tobacco, naughty man, chrysanthemum weed, wild wormwood

Family: Asteraceae

Traditional Names

• Chinese Medicine: Ài (or àicǎo)
• Ayurvedic: Nagadamani

Parts Used: Leaves and root

Native Range and Distribution

Mugwort is native to Europe, Asia, and northern Africa but has spread to the United States and other regions. It thrives in various environments, often found growing along roadsides, parking lots, and wastelands.

Botanical Description

Mugwort is a hardy perennial that can grow up to 3 feet tall. Its leaves are pinnate, with silvery-gray undersides, while its small yellow or reddish flowers bloom in late summer. The root is woody, light brown, and reaches about 8 inches in length.

Key Constituents

Mugwort contains volatile oils, sesquiterpene lactones, tannins, flavonoids, coumarin derivatives, and triterpenes.

Sustainability

No known sustainability issues are associated with mugwort.

Harvesting Guidelines

• For internal use: Harvest leaves at the end of summer before flowering.
• For incense or dream pillows: Collect during flowering or seed-setting stages.
• For roots: Harvest in the fall.

Traditional Uses and Folklore

Historical and Cultural Significance

Mugwort holds deep cultural and medicinal roots, particularly in European and Asian traditions. Its name is thought to derive from its historic use in flavoring beer (“mug herb”) or from its role as a moth repellent (“moughte,” meaning moth).

Associated with the goddess Artemis, Mugwort has been revered as a “woman’s herb” and is linked to fertility, childbirth, and intuition. European folklore describes its use for protection against evil spirits and bad luck. On St. John’s Eve, woven crowns of mugwort were worn to ward off possession.

In Chinese and Ayurvedic traditions, mugwort is valued for its warming and bitter properties, often used to address digestive issues and menstrual irregularities.

Medicinal Applications

Western Herbalism:

• Mugwort is renowned as an emmenagogue, promoting pelvic blood flow and menstruation.
• It aids in digestion with its bitter components, stimulating bile production and easing gastrointestinal discomfort.
• Its mild nervine effects help alleviate anxiety and depression.
• Historically, it has been used to treat worm infestations, convulsions, and poor circulation.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM):

• Known as Ài, mugwort is used to address menstrual disorders, abnormal vaginal discharge, eczema, and restless fetus syndrome.
• Moxibustion, a TCM practice, involves burning dried mugwort (moxa) over acupuncture points to stimulate Qi flow, relieve stagnation, and even turn breech babies in the womb.

Ayurveda:

• Mugwort balances vata and pitta doshas, alleviating abdominal cramps and promoting digestive health.
• Its fresh leaves are used in poultices for skin conditions like warts and itchiness.

Energetics and Taste

• Flavor: Mildly bitter with a slightly sweet, earthy undertone.
• Energy: Drying and warming, classified as “hot and dry in the second degree” in traditional Western herbalism.

Modern Research and Applications

Research on mugwort’s medicinal benefits is limited in Western science, but promising studies include:

• Moxibustion: Clinical trials support its efficacy in correcting breech presentations during pregnancy.
• Scar Treatment: A study on mugwort lotion (from Chinese mugwort) demonstrated positive results for hypertrophic scar management.

Preparation and Dosage

• Tea: Steep 1–2 teaspoons in hot water for 15 minutes.
• Tincture: Take 1–4 mL of a 1:5 tincture in 25% alcohol up to three times daily.

Safety Considerations

• Avoid during pregnancy due to its potential abortifacient effects.
• Use in moderation; prolonged or excessive intake may cause adverse reactions.

Creative Uses

• Incense: Burn dried mugwort for cleansing rituals or meditation.
• Dream Pillows: Place dried leaves in pillows to encourage vivid dreams.
• Infused Vinegar: Use for culinary or medicinal purposes.
• Poultices: Apply fresh leaves to skin for soothing relief.

Actions

• Bitter: Stimulates digestion.
• Emmenagogue: Promotes menstrual flow.
• Nervine: Calms the nervous system.

Fun Fact

Mugwort was once believed to protect travelers from exhaustion and wild beasts when tucked into their shoes!