Mugwort, or Artemisia vulgaris, is a common perennial herb with an extremely long history of medicinal and magical use. It has been used by people for centuries – even millennia – to prevent and treat many conditions including digestive issues, anxiety, irregular periods, and female reproductive problems. This sage-colored plant is also believed to have protective powers and has been used to combat witchcraft and ward off evil.
Its sage-like smell and fuzzy underside give it a close resemblance to its relative Wormwood (Artemisia dracunculus), but is easier to distinguish by its angular stems, purplish hue, twice or thrice pinnately lobed leaves that are dark green on the top and silvery fuzz on the underside, and small reddish to yellow flowers that bloom in summer. Mugwort is native to Europe and Asia but is now widespread in the United States, Canada, and much of North America, where it has spread by seed and rhizomes. It grows in waste areas and in disturbed soil, such as cultivated nurseries, turfgrass, sports fields, vineyards, forest edges, roadsides, and other vacant spaces. It is considered a troublesome weed because it spreads quickly and forms dense, mono-specific stands that crowd out native plants. It is wind-pollinated and can be very allergenic to humans because of its resemblance to ragweed, which it is closely related to and may trigger the same symptoms in allergic people.
Traditional superstitions associated with mugwort include protection from fatigue, sunstroke, wild animals, and evil spirits. Roman soldiers were known to put a sprig of mugwort in their sandals before marching, and women of the Cheyenne tribe were said to wear necklaces of the plant to help with fertility. Mugwort is now a key ingredient in many herbal remedies to stimulate the digestive system and encourage menstrual flow, among other uses.
For tea, place a teaspoon of dried mugwort in a cup of boiling water and let it steep for 10-15 minutes, then strain. Drink up to three times a day. To make a tincture, place your herb in a glass jar and cover by an inch with 100 proof alcohol. Shake daily for a month, then strain through muslin and use as needed. It’s important to talk with your doctor before trying a new herb, particularly one that has a long history of traditional medicinal use. It’s also wise to find a practitioner with credentials in complementary health approaches who can recommend the best ways to take it and provide you with information about potential side effects. In the US, you can find resources for practitioners at the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. You should also tell them if you have any allergies, as mugwort can cause problems for some people. The name mugwort likely stems from its folk use to repel moths, as well as the Old English word moughte, which means “moth” or gnat, and wort, meaning plant or root. (1).