Mugwort

Botanical Name: Artemisia specoes (A. douglassii, A. vulgaris, A. garyii)

Plant Family: Asteraceae, Compositae Family

Parts Used: Leaves and Flowers

Actions: Digestive, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Bitter, Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic, Decongestant, Sedative, Nervine, Diuretic, Cholagogue, Expectorant, Emmenagogue, Antioxidant, Antispasmodic, Anti-fungal, Styptic (Systems affected: Spleen, Liver, Kidneys)

Energetics: Warming, drying

Tastes: Bitter, Pungent, somewhat Astringent

Habitat: Mugwort is found in various locations. Like the moon it has many phases. It can be found in high desert, the southwestern desert, and the riparian zones. It is also found on roadsides, railroads, fallow agricultural land with a lot of nitrogen still in it, sandy, open ground, prefers lime-rich soils (or showing up outside of my herb kitchen!).

Identification: Mugwort is an artemisia species that has many growth habits. It is a perennial that will come back year after year. It’s silver hues catch one’s eye- and also confuses it with sage brush, wormwood, etc. The leaves are simple, alternate, and deeply lobed. The leaves have a soft, gray/white hairs- most apparent on the undersides. The leaves come off of a woody stem that can reach up to five feet tall. If you are ever in doubt of whether you are looking at mugwort- just smell it and the aroma will let you know!

Collection: Collect mugwort before it goes into flower. This occurs in mid to late summer in the PNW. Cut the stem from below the last green leaves on the bundle to hang or collect leaves sparingly from stalks.

This is a picture of four different types of Artemisia species. From left to right: A. douglasii, A. vulgaris, A. garyi, A. absinthium.

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Preparations: Foot soaks, baths, tincture, oil, salves, tea (decoction, infusion), oxymel, vinegar, poultice, steam inhalation, smudge and moxa.

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MUGWORT MEDICINE:

Digestive Bitter

Whether its indigestion, gas, bloating, poor appetite acid reflux or GERD– mugwort supports our digestive system. It can help with symptoms of IBS, or alternating diarrhea and constipation. It works with the Liver in moving blood and qi while further releasing stagnation (from injury or from poor eating habits). Nutritionally, mugwort contains vitamins A, C, K, B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid) and minerals such as calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon and zinc.

Parasites

Mugwort is in the Artemisia genus- also associated with wormwood. The two common names get mixed around- and so do their uses. While wormwood is more effective, mugwort is a gentle vermifuge and anthelmintic- also helping expel parasites.

Trauma Aid

Mugwort is relaxing and pain relieving. Commonly used in TCM as moxibustion, mugwort moves blood and qi. This opens the body where stagnation or cold have built up. It invigorates and integrates, making the body feel more at ease.

 Circulation

The volatile oils of mugwort are stimulating. It helps warm up cold hands and feet- helping promote circulation in the body. It helps cold stiffness associated with rheumatism. Topically, mugwort can help with ailments such as achy, torn or pulled muscles, ligaments and tendons. The calcium and magnesium properties help the body find calm when it’s experiencing cramps, bumps, bruises and tightness.

 Mugwort’s stimulating affects can bring on delayed menses- here it is known as an emmenagogue and uterine stimulant. It’s antispasmodic affects help with menstrual cramps- soothing the uterine muscles.

Fevers/ Cold/Flu

Mugwort can be helpful for treating any sort of chest congestion or respiratory disorders. It is most commonly used to help sweat out a fever. And is known for its strong antibacterial properties. In China, mugwort was used as a smudge to kill off any spike proteins associated with viruses.

 Dreamtime

Mugwort has a reputation of helping people have lucid dreams. In general, mugwort helps people remember- this can help someone who day dreams or forgets their dreams. It can also help those with an abstract mind, remember more simple concepts.

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Recipes:

Mugwort Oil

This is a folk remedy used externally soothe aches, sprains, spasms.

Ingredients:

Wilted mugwort

Mason jar

Olive oil

Directions:

Wilt fresh mugwort for 1-2 days (hang dry).

Once herb is thoroughly wilted and leaves are almost crisp dry, chop up herb and fill jar to brim.

Pour over olive oil. Stir out bubbles.

Cover with cheese cloth and set in warm location for 2-3 days; stirring daily.

Once herb has submerged into oil, cover with lid.

Let infuse for 2-3 weeks.

Decant and keep oil out of sunlight.

Use externally as a massage oil or add to bath!

Mugwort Tincture

Ingredients:

Fresh Mugwort

Mason jar

Vodka (ideally 95% alcohol)

 Directions:

Chop mugwort (including stem, and leaves) into mason jar.

Once filled to top brim, cover with vodka.

Let infuse for 6-8 weeks.

Strain and store in amber tincture jar.

Dosage: take 45 drops in water 3-8x/day from indigestion, gallbladder pain, muscle tension, chronic infection, shingles and other pain.

Mugwort Salt Bath

Ingredients:

1 tsp. dried oregano

1 cup boiling water

 Directions:

Pour a cup of boiling water onto 1 teaspoonful of oregano.

Let infuse for 10-15 minutes.

This should be drunk 3 times/ day.

Help with cold and flu, lung and sinus congestion.

Make your own Moxa

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Resources

Herbal Roots Zine- Mugwort by Kristine Brown

Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West by Michael Moore

Pacific Northwest Medicinal Plants by Scott Kloos

Planetary Herbology by Michael Tierra

Lotion Bars

 What is a lotion bar?

Lotion bars are similar to salves, yet are more firm and can be rubbed onto the skin like lotion. They do not need a tin or glass container to be stored in– their firmness allows them to keep their shape as a bar. They are great for applying over the whole body and not just a concentrated area.

How to make lotion bars

3 fl. oz. herbal infused oil (preferred jojoba or grapeseed to rub into whole body)

3 ounce beeswax

1.5 ounce cocoa butter

1.5 ounce shea butter

*optional: 30-50 drops essential oil

Silicon mold or Dixie cup (you can tear the “mold” paper off and have a circular bar).

1.    Measure out wax and butters by weight.

2.    Using a double boiler or in a pan on very low heat, melt the beeswax, cocoa butter and shea butter. Tip: the smaller your beeswax, the easier it will melt.

3.    Once the beeswax is liquid, add the herbal infused oil. Stir well to combine, using as little heat as possible.

4.    Add the optional essential oil.

5.    Immediately pour into mold or Dixie cup (to be torn off later).

6.    Let the bar cool and harden. Store in container or bag or somewhere cool and out of direct heat.

7.    This bar will last for a year, if not longer.

Yield: This makes roughly 7-8 ounces.

Preservation & Storage

Lotion bars are best stored out of sunlight and heat. If they are not in a container and exposed to heat, it will turn into an oily/waxy mess!

Dosage

Use as much salve as needed. Be aware of using too much and having it rub off on clothes, sheets, etc.

Herbal Teas

Tea invites us to slow down, take a sip, listen to our bodies and feel the experience. Herbal teas offer us a way to support our health on a daily basis. The more we sit and enjoy the experience of herbal teas, the more the herbs reveal themselves. We can create a deeper relationship with herbs in this way. They can speak to your body’s needs, if you listen.

One of the best ways to acquaint yourself with a tea or an herb is to start simple. Try one. Make a strong tea or an infusion. Drink one cup of that tea for an entire week (or month). Experience the taste, smell, feel, color and listen to how your body responds. Once you know how that herb works, then you will have a greater awareness of combining herbs for formulation.

Herbal teas are generally considered a beverage- not a medicine. Medicinal teas are made by decoctions or infusions- a longer steeping and higher quantity of herb. Herbal tea beverages are enjoyed for pleasure– offering subtle support emotionally and physically. Often times, herbal teas contain aromatic herbs so that the flavor and aroma are enhanced.

How to make a tea

1 Tbsp. dried herb (1 teabag)

1 cup boiling water

Place dried herbs in strainer/tea-ball/tea-bag and place in cup. Pour boiling water over the herbs and let steep for 5-15 minutes (time recommendation listed below). Strain herbs out and drink immediately.

General Steeping Times for Herbal Teas:

Flowers: steep 3-5 minutes

Berries: steep 3-7 minutes

Leaves: steep 3-10 minutes

Roots: Steep 5-15 minutes or boil for 5 minutes

Bark: Steep 5-15 minutes or boil for 3-5 minutes

It is best to use glass or clay for brewing teas.

Dosage & Preservation

Herbal teas are meant to be used immediately– quick pleasure and warm support. They are not to be preserved and stored over one day. I recommend drinking 1-3 cups per day to enjoy the flavors of our herbal allies.

Formulation & Herbal Actions:

Mixing and formulating herbal teas can be quite technical once we explore the different plant chemistries. It can also be quite intuitive once you know the energetics and flavors of the plants. Herbs have different expressions that can be expressed in their flavors and also their chemistry.

An accessible way to begin formulating is to start with plants that you know. Plants that are accessible. Plants that are commonly mixed together. Plants in pairs. For example, lavender and chamomile are both calming herbs that have a pungent and bitter taste- they are a great combination before bedtime. Sometime the plants are growing together and nature is telling you to combine them. Sometimes they have similar herbal actions. And sometimes the herbs bring you joy when you look or smell them- making for a heart opening tea combination. Combining herbs can be unpredictable but you get better the more you practice. 

Nature’s Formulas

What is growing next to each other.

What is flowering at the same time.

Seasonal Feels; summertime flowers and fruits, springtime leaves, autumn roots, and winter spices

Example: Springtime Nettles, Cleavers and Raspberry Leaf

Tasting a Formula

Taste the aroma of the herbs- open your sensation to the five flavors of the herbs:

1.    Sweet

2.    Salty

3.    Bitter

4.    Sour

5.    Pungent

Start noting the flavors of the herbs by taking a dried/fresh piece of plant matter (for example spearmint) and focus your attention on the sensations in your mouth and nose:

·      Does if taste sweet, sour, bitter, or spicy?

·      Is one flavor more dominant?

·      Is there a tactile nature to what you are tasting, such as texture, astringency (a drying feeling) or numbing?

·      How does the herb make you feel? What does the taste remind you of?

This exercise helps you build a strong conscious memory of the herb. It also helps you start to recognize taste patterns that reflect herbal actions.

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Making a Formula

What is the purpose of the tea? What do we want to accomplish by drinking it? What actions are we looking for?

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Formula Structure:

Main Herb: “star” herbs. The largest amounts of herbs in the formula that have the actions and effects that we are wanting to use.

Supporting Herb: “boosting” herbs. These herbs are used in a smaller amount than the main herb. They help the actions of the main herbs and also provide a gift of their own.

Catalyst Herb: These are warming and aromatic herbs that help stimulate circulation and further the body’s ability to absorb the medicinal effects of the Main and Supporting herbs. These herbs raise the level of action in the formula.

Corrigent Herb: Corrigent herbs help balance the formula. They are warming, cooling, moistening or drying depending on what is needed for the individual. These plants can be quite powerful in their actions (and tastes) and are used in small quantities compared to the main and supporting herbs.

Example: “Lung Tea”

Main: Mullein

Supporting: Horehound

Catalyst: Elecampane, Licorice Root and Ginger

Corrigent: Slippery Elm and Marshmallow

Tea Blend Inspiration

Digestive Aid

Immune Boosting

Relax & Sleep

Herbal Chais