Mugwort or by it’s latin name, Artemisia Vulgaris, is named after the Greek Goddess Artemis, Goddess of the moon. Its been long since considered the Women’s Herb and the Witch’s best friend.
Mugwort is part of the Daisy or Compositae family and a close cousin to Wormwood. It is a tall, hardy plant native of Europe and considered an invasive herb in most of Eastern United States.
That being said it has a lot of potential and some pretty good energy.
My History with Mugwort
Mugwort was one of the first herbs I ever worked with. Back when I was a baby witch, I had read that it helped with divination. At the time I had pulled out my Tarot cards, determined to learn to read them so I could fore-see my future. (I wasn’t very successful.)
Then wonder of wonders, I found mugwort growing wild in my backyard. I was still a novice gardener back then and not a very good one, either.
We lived in Chicago. The yards were tiny and I didn’t even have very much to keep up with but nonetheless, I sucked at it. I guess it was a good thing because that allowed the wild weeds grow.
(For the record, I still let some wild things grow. I feel like its the spirits giving me what I didn’t know I needed)
Just the same, when I realized that that tall weedy looking plant was mugwort, I totally let it grow.
History and Lore:
Mugwort is one of the nine sacred herbs of Odin, as discovered in the 11th century text, Lacnunga.
It’s nick name, St. John’s Plant, refers to the legend that St. John the Baptist wore a belt of mugwort for protection. Roman soldiers stuck leaves in their shoes to ward of fatigue during their marches to war.
Mugwort was used in the middle ages to protect against everything. Magical figures were made out of the plant and hung outside homes to prevent evil from entering.
The long leafy stems of the Mugwort plant were fashioned into crowns to protect young children from evil. The crowns were also used in fertility rituals for couples.
Oddly enough, Mugwort was used to flavor beer in the 15th century before hops were discovered.
Native Americans rubbed the leaves on their bodies to ward off ghosts.
Gardening tips:
Mugwort reproduces like crazy! I know from experience. The seeds get carried by the wind, animals and small children. Then they take root in the craziest places.
The year when I planted it, I took the advice from more seasoned gardeners and planted both the Mugwort and the Wormwood in big half barrels. Its not a picky plant. It grows readily in all types of soil including poor rocky soil. She just needs good drainage and full sun. She can even tolerate droughts.
I started mine from seed and they struggled a bit until I put them outside and forgot about them. Then all of a sudden they took off so I transplanted them into the barrels.
Give them plenty of space, they will grow to be around 4 feet tall and bush out considerably, crowding other plants.
Mugwort should be harvested right before the flowers bloom. The energetic properties are the strongest as they prepare to bloom. Its also a good idea because the pollen of the Mugwort plant is likened to ragweed. It can cause hay fever and other allergic reactions. Once a flower blooms and is pollenated, it starts to produce seeds.
The Romans recited this phrase when picking Mugwort:
Tollem te artemesia, ne lassum sim in via.
Which roughly translate to “I will take you, Artemisia and I shall not weary.”
Harvesting and Preserving
I bundle the stems together and dry it upside down in a cool, dark place with good circulation. Once dry, I pull the leaves off and chop roughly to save space in my jars.
Alternately, I’ve taken to folding the stems on themselves about 6 inches long and wrapping with string to make recaning sticks (like sage wands but with mugwort). Once bundled and tied I put them on a cooling rack and let them air dry for a week or two. I store them in an air tight jar until I’m ready to use one.
In general, dried mugwort is fairly hardy and can last up to a year in an air tight jar, away from heat and sunlight. After a year it’s energy starts to deteriorate.
Medicinal uses:
Mugwort has many medicinal uses. The leaves repel those annoying biting insects and can also protect against poison oak if rubbed on the skin just prior to exposure.
It helps digestion and other stomach issues. It’ll rid the body of parasites without harming the host.
It’s a warming herb used to induce sweating and increasing blood flow to the pelvic region. It also has diuretic properties, ridding the body of excess fluids. As such, mugwort is used to treat PMS symptoms.
Mugwort is such a strong uterine stimulant that it was used to bring on a delayed menstruations. However it can cause miscarriage in early pregnancy and expel the placenta after birth.
Mugwort contains cineole and thujon. This offers a calming effect on the nervous system. It is often used to ease anxiety and promote sleep. However, too much can have a toxic effect.
Do not give to pregnant women or children.
Magical uses:
Mugwort is the herb of choice for dreamwork. It’s most commonly used for divination. The smoke and fumes of the plant are believed to induce visions. It will also banish negative energies and malevolent spirits. This is why it’s called the Witch’s Best Friend. It can be used in place of White Sage to clear negative energy.
I like using these to clear the energies before Tarot readings and other divination practices. They last about 3 or 4 uses, depending on how much you let it burn before you snuff it out.
- Add sprigs or small stems to put in a vase on your alter for Hecate or Artemis.
- Drink mugwort tea sweetened with honey before divination practices, lucid dreaming, or astral projection. (Use cautiously when ingesting
- Brew a plain infusion to wash crystal balls and scrying mirrors.
- Keep a few dried leaves under the crystal ball and tucked in with your tarot cards or runes.
- A pillow filled with dried mugwort under the pillow will help induce lucid dreaming.
Where to find Mugwort
While mugwort grows just about every where, it’s considered a weed and often pulled before it gets big enough to harvest. Don’t fret if you can’t find it in the wild.
I have mugwort in our Etsy shop. We keep loose leaves in stock for tea, dream pillows, amulets and spell work. I have mugwort sticks for smoke clearing and divination purposes and I have dream pillows that come with my own mugwort blend for lucid dreams.
Also don’t forget to check out our Book of Shadows page to download your our Information on Mugwort
