MUGWORT

Latin Name: Artemisia vulgaris

Alternate Names: Felon Herb, Moxa Herb, Saint John's Herb

Family: ASTERACEAE

Parts Used: Above ground portion, root.

Properties: Anthelmintic, Antispasmodic, Antiseptic, Aperitive, Bitter Tonic, Cholagogue, Diaphoretic, Digestive Tonic, Disinfectant, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Hemostatic, Nervine, Purgative, Stomach Tonic, Uterine Stimulant.

Internal Uses: Amenorrhea, Anorexia, Depression, Dysentery, Dysmenorrhea, Dyspepsia, Gout, Hepatitis, Hysteria, Insect Repellent, Jaundice, Labor, Malaria, Menopause, Parasites, Placenta Delivery, Worms

Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules.

Helpful for roundworm and threadworm. It is a mild purgative. It was used to speed labor and speed the delivery of the placenta.

Topical Uses: Arthritis, Asthma, Bruises, Fungal Infection, Gout, Insect Bites, Insect Repellent, Scabies, Sore Throat, Swellings, Yeast Infection

Topical Applications: Compress to speed labor. Compress or poultice for arthritic joints, bruises and insect bites. Liniment for swellings, wash for gout and fungal infection. Douche for yeast infections. Gargle for sore throat. In China, Artemesia moxa or Artemesia sinensis is used to perform moxabustion, a process of burning herbs either close to or on acupuncture points or acupuncture needles. 

Mugwort is sometimes smoked as a tobacco substitute and to relieve asthma. A sachet filled with dried mugwort and placed in one's pillowcase inspires vivid dreams. Use sachets to repel moths from clothing and woolens. Mugwort also repels cockroaches and rodents. 

Culinary uses: Although very bitter, it has been used in Europe to flavor dumplings, sausage, salad, duck and eel. Eating a bit of Mugwort with a meal helps to counteract the effects of eating fatty food. Mugwort mochi is a popular modern natural food. Added to beer, vermouth and absinthe. 

Energetics: Bitter, Pungent, Cold, Dry.

Chemical Constituents: Essential oil (linalool, cineole, thujone, borneol, pinene), bitter principle (absinthin), flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactones (vulgarin), tannin, resin, inulin.

Contraindications: Avoid large amounts internally or for extended periods. Avoid during pregnancy, although it has been used both internally and topically to speed labor. Large amounts may adversely effect the nervous system. 

Comments: The genus name, Artemisia, is named after Artemis, the Roman Goddess of the hunt and the moon, as well as patron to women, especially in matters of menstruation, pregnancy, labor and menopause. In addition a Greek woman named Artemisia -- both sister and wife of a Greek/Persian King -- was a botanist who ruled after her brother's death. 

Mugwort was considered one of the nine healing herbs of the Anglo-Saxons. Romans placed it in their sandals to protect their feet. This was an herb credited with magical powers and was worn as a talisman to protect a person from evil. Legend says that St. John the Baptist wore a girdle of Mugwort when he lived in the wilderness. 

The common name Mugwort also includes Artemisia lactiflora, commonly known as White Mugwort, and Artemisia ludoviciana, commonly known as Western Mugwort. Artemisia lactiflora and Artemisia ludoviciana are used interchangeably with Artemisia vulgaris.