As one of my absolute favourites, Mugwort sure dose have a lot to share with us. Not only is she a plant of the Moon (with her silvery undertones and ability to take you deep into the underworld), she is also a powerful gut cleanser, taking on parasites with as little as a hot water infusion.
Mugwort has profound healing effects on women’s menstrual cycles, with her direct connection to the moon, she can help to regulate where menstruation is imbalanced and also assist with pain and cramping. Her calming effect may also assist with depressive moods and induce a deeply calming state of mind.
Named after the Greek Goddess Artemis, known as the Goddess of the moon, wild animals, hunting and fertility; she was also associated with the woodlands and the nymphs.
Taken as a flower essence or an alchemical tincture, Mugwort can also induce a state of lucid dreaming, she is deeply connected to the underworld and will take you to depths that can alter your state of consciousness.
Hang a pouch of dried mugwort next to your bed, and see how she impacts your dreaming state.
Common Names & Etymology: Mugwort, wild wormwood, felon herb, mugfelon herb, St John’s plant, sailor’s tobacco, Ai ye.
Scientific Name: Artemisia Vulgaris
Family: Daisy family or asteraceae (compositae)
Growth & origin: Common to find growing in all kinds of soil, especially in in warm climates around Europe and America.
Part Used: Leaves and flowers just before and during blooming, harvest late Summer through to Autumn. Roots can also be used.
Preparations:
Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 1-2 teaspoons of the dried herb, cover and leave to infuse for 10-15 mins, drink 3 times a day.
For intestinal parasites, drink 2 cups on an empty stomach before meals for 3 days, then repeat another cycle one week later.
Tincture: 1-4ml of tincture three times a day.
Flower essence: 6-7 drops daily as required.
History: A vast history of this plant can be dated back as far as 3BC in Chinese song lyrics. Used in Asian country’s as moxibustion to expel skin parasites, Native Americans used it for colds, fever and inflammation. Other known uses in history include use as a spice, food, medicine, spiritual aid, beer flavouring and as a moth and insect repellent in the garden.
Folklore: Mugwort was smoked, ingested or applied to the skin in folk medicine, with it mainly being used for a topical disinfectant, nerve calming, and as a cheap tobacco, which gave the nickname “sailor’s tobacco”.
As for folklore, the Europeans would use it to protect against fatigue, injury and poisons. Whereas the Romans would put a sprig of Mugwort in their shoes to prevent tiring.
Magick: Mugwort is used to as a primary vision herb to increase psychic abilities and prophetic dreams.
It can also encourage wisdom and observation, in conjunction with the Goddess as a Crone.
Use Mugwort to assist in confronting difficult truths in divination, to assist with stimulating lucid dreaming and for astral travel.
Hang a bundle near the front door to prevent evil from entering, or hang near the bed to aid in astral projection.
Sleeping with a sachet under your pillow will bring clear and memorable dreams, you can also add in Jasmine, Rose, and/or lavender for extra enhanced qualities.
Smudge or burn on charcoal as a divinatory and purifying incense, this will repel insects too.
Clean your crystal balls and magic mirrors with an infusion, and leave a sprig at the base to aid in psychic work.
Use as a kindling for your magical fires, and incorporate into magic spells and charms for protection. Gather Mugwort sprigs on St. John’s Eve (June 23) for protection throughout the year.
Medicinal: Mugwort is a great digestive stimulant; it can stimulate digestive function while working as a carminative at the same time.
Used as a nervine, Mugwort can aid in depression, and ease tension, this is due to the volatile oil, so it is important not to loose it in preparation.
As a women’s medicine, Mugwort aids in regular menstruation as well as reducing menstrual pain.
Appearance: A tall herbaceous perennial that grows to 60-120cm high. The stems are a reddish colour and the leaves have a silver underside. The flowers are reddish or yellow in colour and grow in chapters of 10-12 small flowers in a row.
Taste: Bitter
Smell: Sage-like, savoury smell
Doctrine of Signature: yellow flowers – good for bile/digestion reddish stems – menstruation
silver underside – represents the moon, good for menstruation and working with the moon, and shadow realms.
Contraindications/Safety:
Not to be used during pregnancy due to uterine tonic properties.
Not to be used in breast-feeding or given to children until further research indicates otherwise.
Do not use in the case of a blood disorder.
May cause nausea, vomiting, anorexia, hypersensitivity reaction, contact dermatitis, or anaphylaxis.
Not to be used with anticoagulants. May cause an increase in direct bilirubin.
Intuitive message: Mugwort clears the stagnation in the body and mind by delivering life force energy to where it is needed. She moves through the channels of the body creating flow and restoring the vital force to where it is required the most.
“Think of your body as though it was like a plant, if it does not have enough water, the creation process will die, and the ego will be in charge”.
