Mugwort
Parts Usually Used
Rootstock, herb
Description of Plant(s) and Culture
Mugwort is a perennial plant; the downy, grooved stems grow from 1-5 feet tall and bear alternate, pinnate leaves that are green on top and downy beneath. The leaflets are linear to spatulate and coarsely toothed. In addition, there is a basal rosette of pinnate leaves the survive the winter. Small, greenish-yellow to red-brown flower heads grow in panicled spikes from July to October.
Odor aromatic, leaves slightly bitter. Another variety: (Artemisia gnaphalodes) known as mugwort and also as cudweed sagebrush, was used by Native Americans in about the Sun Dance Lodge. Dancers bathed with it as they came out from the dance.
Where Found
Can be found in waste places, ditches, bushy areas, and along roadsides and fences in Europe, Asia, and North and South America. In the United States, it grows in the eastern states as far south as Georgia and as far west as Michigan.
Medicinal Properties
Appetizer, anthelmintic, antispasmodic, antiseptic, digestive, cholagogue, purgative, emmenagogue, diaphoretic, hemostatic
Biochemical Information
Essential oil: cineole, thujone, bitter principle
Legends, Myths and Stories
The name mugwort comes from the old Germanic muggiwurti, meaning “fly or gnat plant”, and refers to the plant’s use since the time of Dioscorides (first century AD) to repel moths and other insects. In the Middle Ages mugwort was considered a magical protective herb. It was very strong against witches and a branch of it kept in the house would scare off the Devil. Hanging mugwort above the door was a protection against lightning; best of all, putting it under the doorstep ensured that no annoying person would come to your door.
) Mugwort also afforded its protection to the traveler, guarding him against fatigue, sunstrokes, wild beasts, and the evil eye. If a foot traveler put mugwort in his shoes, he would not become weary on his journey. Medieval legend held that John the Baptist wore a girdle of mugwort to help sustain him in the wilderness. If put into barrels or hogsheads of beer, mugwort will preserve the brew from souring.
The dried herb also repels moths. In former years, mugwort was put in baths and thought to have great effect in relieving fatigue. It was believed that sleeping on a pillow filled with mugwort would cause a person to see his entire future in his dreams. Related to wormwood but not as bitter nor as fragrant. This plant was used frequently as a charm and held in superstitious veneration by the Chinese people.
At the time of the Dragon Festival, which is the 5th day of the 5th moon, the mugwort is hung up to ward off noxious influences. Mugwort is known to the Chinese as Ai-hao or just simply Ai, the dried leaves are called Ai-yeh; the dried twigs tied in bundles are called Ai-t’iao. The Chinese maintain that mugwort is often helpful in relieving the conditions of sleepwalking.
Uses
Historically, herbalists recommended mugwort to stimulate the appetite, support digestion through bile production, and serve as a mild purgative. Traditional practitioners prepared decoctions of the plant to manage pain and regulate menstruation. It was also employed as a bath additive for complaints such as gout, colds, colic, kidney ailments, sciatica, rheumatism, and tired legs, as well as to induce sweating.
Folk traditions utilized topical preparations of the plant for wounds, sores, boils, bruises, and felons. The fresh juice was historically applied to soothe the irritation of poison oak or poison ivy, as well as insect bites, and was administered for parasites and worms. Additionally, historical sources regarded mugwort as a brain tonic and noted traditional investigations into its effects on blood sugar.
Warning
Excessive doses can lead to symptoms of poisoning, but nothing is to be feared from normal use. Mugwort is a species of wormwood, which is toxic, but can be distinguished from its more popular relative (Artemisia absinthium) by the color and shape of its leaves which are green above and whitish underneath, with sharply pointed segments. Mugwort may cause dermatitis. Avoid mugwort during pregnancy and breast feeding.
Bibliography
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David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, Second edition, 1988. The Rodale Herb Book: How to Use, Grow, and Buy Nature’s Miracle Plants (An Organic gardening and farming book) , edited by William H. Hylton, Rodale Press, Inc. , 1974 The Healing Plants , by Mannfried Pahlow, Barron’s Educational Series, Inc. , Hauppauge, NY 11788, 1992 Categories Anti-Aging Ayerveda Chinese Medicine Gardening Healing Herbs In the News Medicinal Herbs Medicinal Uses Natural Health Traditional Medicine Uncategorized