Herb of the Week: Mugwort (Artemisia Vulgaris)

Hi folks, welcome to the first in my new series based around herbs and plants. I’m hoping to publish at least one herb a week, and the articles will cover the biology, identification, history and magical uses.

I feel the need to put a little disclaimer here. I am not a licensed herbalist, doctor nor qualified in any way to provide medical advice. I would always suggest that you speak to a medical practitioner before taking any herbs to treat the issues you have. I would also recommend that you cross reference identification before consuming any herbs. Now with that being said, let’s look at the wonderful herb that is Mugwort.

What is Mugwort?

Artemisia Vulgaris, also known as Mugwort, Common Mugwort, Bulwand, Fellon Herb, Greenfinger, Motherwort, Sailor’s Tobacco, St Johns Herb, Beidiog Lwyd or sometimes Wormwood (not to be confused with its cousin of the Absinth fame), is a perennial plant with a lifespan of between 2 and 5 years. It is known to grow to a height between 1.5m and 2.5m [1] and spreads through expansion and dispersal of its roots [2]

How to Identify Mugwort?

Mugwort is one of the easier plants to identify, but caution must be given as there are a few poisonous plants that look similar. Mugwort is a tall, aromatic herb that can identified with its deeply lobed leaves, which are green on top and silver on their hairy underside. The flowers, which appear in the late summer and early autumn, are small and yellow or red {3}. The stems are often reddish or purple, going darker as the plant matures. Mugwort can be found growing alongside roads and in disturbed and compacted soil, such as building sites [4] and prefers soil with poor nutrient levels.

While identification of Mugwort is relatively simple, there are a few similar plants that carry risk of poisoning if ingested. The first one is the Buttercup family, including Creeping and Meadow Buttercup, all of which are poisonous [5] when consumed fresh. The plants can be differentiated by Mugwort’s narrower, more angular leaves and silvery underside compared to Buttercups rounder leaves. There is also a difference between Buttercups yellow flowers compared to the generally red flower faces of Mugwort. Buttercups can cause blisters of the mouth and face, If consumed they can cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and even paralysis [6].

Additionally, to Buttercups, we also need to be aware of Monkshood. If you consumed this plant thinking it was Mugwort, it could be a very deadly mistake. Luckily there are some differences that help us differentiate the two, Monkshood does not have the silver underside on its leaves and the flowers are completely different. Monkshood is also a lot less common, but with the danger it poses, I would still recommend familiarising yourself with both plants [7].

History of Mugwort

Mugwort has a long history of use dating back to the stone age. In Medieval Europe, the herb was used as a magical protective herb. It was part of the Anglo-Saxon Nigon Wyrta Galdor (Nine Herb Charm) dating from the 10^th century CE [8], an important poem that I highly recommend reading. Mugwort was used as a repellent of insects, especially moths, from gardens. It was also used to protect travellers from tiredness, evil spirits and wild animals. Roman soldiers often put Mugwort in their shoes to keep them marching all day long. It was believed that John the Baptist wore a girdle of it while in the wilderness to avoid possession by evil spirits. In Germany and Holland, they believed that gathering Mugwort on St John’s Eve (23^rd June) it would protect against disease and bad luck, it is often hung in a garland over the door to protect those living there from evil [9]. Over the Irish Sea, on the Isle of Man, Mugwort is known as Bollan Bane and is worn on the lapel during Tynwald’s Day [10].

Magical Uses of Mugwort

As we have touched on in the previous sections, Mugwort carries a strong protective energy which can be utilised in a variety of ways, from talismans for travellers and garlands for home protection. Additionally, to protection, Mugwort is associated with Midsummer, where it is worn as a belt and burnt to attract good luck and ward away evil as well as attracting good spirits [11]. Burning Mugwort can also be used to cleanse an area or magical item, while also imbuing the item with powers of divination, making it ideal for tarot decks or scrying mirrors. Modern Psychonauts and magical practitioners are often vocal about Mugwort’s ability to open the mind when consumed either in a tea or smoked. It is purported to help divination, lucid dreaming, astral travel, meditation and communing with spirits. Being associated with Artemis, a goddess of the Moon, Mugwort has strong feminine energy. Moon energy is also an energy of transformation and change, symbolised by the moon’s constant state of flux. It also reenforces the protective elements mentioned earlier [12]. From a personal UPG point of view, Mugwort’s preference for growing at disturbed ground and along side roads also reinforces the idea of this being a herb of change and growth, an opener of ways and a remover of obstacles. This is a herb of the element Earth and has a very strong, protective energy to me. I must admit I am not one who picks up on energies very well, but after harvesting some wild Mugwort recently, I have come to love the energy it gives. It feels like a hug from your loving auntie or that one dinner lady in school who you ran to when you fell over.

Medicinal Uses of Mugwort

Mugwort has a long history of medicinal uses, mostly associated with women’s health and digestive issues. It has been used to regulate, promote and reduce pain associated with menstruation, aid in labour and childbirth and induce miscarriage. It is known to help stomach problems, stimulate appetite and ease flatulence [13]. When it comes to skin problems, this herb can be used in washes and salves to aid bruises, itching, rashes and eczema. Dried, ground and used as snuff, it is apparently useful in relieving congestion, nosebleeds and headaches.

It is worth noting that there is no hard scientific evidence to back up most of these medical claims. Further to this, Mugwort comes with its own risks. Mugwort can cause allergic reactions, especially for those who are allergic to Ragweed, Birch, Celery and Carrot. It is advised to avoid Mugwort consumption if you are pregnant for reasons mentioned above. The herb also contains Thujone, while the amount in the plant is generally considered safe, concentrates or oils can be toxic. Thujone toxicity can lead to restlessness, vomiting, vertigo, tremors, renal and liver damage, and convulsions [14].

If you would like to purchase some dried wild Mugwort, it is available on my Etsy shop via the following link – https://druidsdenlpl.etsy.com/listing/4311378804

Sources

[1] https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/1646/artemisia-vulgaris/details
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemisia_vulgaris
[3] https://www.wildfooduk.com/wild-plants/mugwort/#:~:text=to%20these%20photos.-,Leaves,or%20smoking%20the%20dried%20leaves.
[4] https://totallywilduk.co.uk/2021/04/13/identify-mugwort/#:~:text=Physical%20Characteristics%20of%20Mugwort,cause%20dermatitis%20in%20some%20people.
[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranunculus#:~:text=Asian%20traditional%20medicines.-,Toxicity,they%20are%20usually%20left%20uneaten.
[6] https://home.howstuffworks.com/ranunculus.htm#:~:text=If%20humans%20or%20beasts%20chew,vomiting%2C%20dizziness%20and%20even%20paralysis.
[7] https://totallywilduk.co.uk/2021/04/13/identify-mugwort/#:~:text=Physical%20Characteristics%20of%20Mugwort,cause%20dermatitis%20in%20some%20people.
[8] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine_Herbs_Charm
[9] https://www.sustainablewales.org.uk/a-kenfig-journal/mugwort#:~:text=But%20mugwort%20seems%20to%20inspire,Sae%20mony%20braw%20maidens
[10] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mugwort
[11] https://starchild.co.uk/products/mugwort-organic#:~:text=Mugwort%20also%20helps%20women%20during,Do%20not%20use%20during%20pregnancy.&text=Few%20herbs%20are%20as%20well,in%20cleansing%20rituals%20and%20sweatlodges.&text=Not%20all%20herbs%20are%20suitable,medical%20herbalist%20or%20healthcare%20practitioner
[12] https://sacredplantco.com/blogs/natures-pharmacy-exploring-the-historical-uses-and-health-benefits-of-medicinal-herbs/the-spiritual-use-of-mugwort-the-dreamweaver-for-intuition-and-visionary-journeys?srsltid=AfmBOooymPhJYeBEqVl4EIxH3RsT79YWydFh5PewW_I2tJ12zShXiOvW
[13] https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/mugwort#:~:text=Background,helpful%20for%20any%20other%20conditions.
[14] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/thujone#:~:text=Excessive%20use%20of%20thujone-rich,%2C%20renal%20damage%2C%20and%20convulsions