Mugwort - Simple, Yet Very Special Plant

There is a reason why mugwort has got a place on the title of this entire blog, so pretty obvious that the first post here should be dedicated to mugwort. 

I'm a dreamer, so the aromatic plant mugwort is. It's one of the most well-known dream herbs that enhance vivid dreams and lucid dreaming. I always loved mugwort whisks for sauna - it's a really gentle plant to birch your body with when you are going into sauna. After it I've always had very vivid dreams with bright pictures, and it happened before I got to know that this plant really has the magical power to influence dreaming process while you are asleep. The knowledge made me to love this plant even more, so I started to dig into information to get to know more. And that's what I got: already many centuries ago shamans and sorcerers used this herb in rituals to get messages from gods or guidance from higher powers while sleeping. Mugwort was considered the plant that carries feminine power and is related to Moon, so they smoked it, burned and smudged, drank its tea and slept on it - and magic happened. As scientists say, it's because within active ingredients in this plant there is a sedative - thujone. Well, thujone is in many other plants like sage as well, but I guess the key of why it works on our brain on such a way is not because of this one ingredient, but combination of ingredients what are in this plant.

The second reason why this herb got my attention is that it grows almost everywhere, it's easy to find it, it's pretty big, it doesn't have anything special to attract people, for example, no bright flowers, and mostly people consider it is a weed not a healing plant. 

So, get to know it:

Artemisia Vulgaris 

Names: Mugwort, St. John's Plant, Cronewort, Wild Wormwood, Sailors Tobacco and probably it has got even a lot more other names.

Where to find? It loves sun and nitrogenous, yet not too soggy soil, spreads by the root system, blooms from mid-summer until almost mid-autumn (of course, depending on the location and weather) and grows tall if the conditions are right. 

How to harvest? Harvesting mugwort is really easy: if you want to use it as a seasoning for food - harvest when it flowers, but if you are looking for it's healing powers - cut it shortly before flowering. Dry the plant tied in thin whisks simply hanging upside down in a dry warm place, but not in the direct sunlight. 

What for? Already long time it has been used for it's sedative powers for easing hysteria and epilepsy. It's anti-spasmodic pain reliever. It's a pretty helpful herb for women because it regulates menstrual cycle and eases menstrual pain, but it also is known as womb tonic, so pregnant women shouldn't use this herb because it can cause contractions. This herb eases digestive issues, removes stomach pain and is traditionally well known to help to get rid of intestine parasites, but baths with this plant, infused oils or tinctures will relieve joint pain.

How to use: Use mugwort for tea, dream pillows, make mugwort infused oils or tinctures, add it to soap if making it at home, apply fresh leaves on your body, take fresh mugwort with you into sauna or hot shower to release it's healing powers in heat. By the way, if you like the flavor of fresh mugwort sprouts - the first leaves of the young plant on spring, add a bit of them to salad! I have heard of mugwort's essential oil as well, just haven't found it yet, so if you have any experience with that, tell in comments! I'll definitely share some mugwort DIY recipes in this blog as well!

Remember: 

1. Do not use during pregnancy, while trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding!

2. Nothing does good to you if you use it too much. Sedative mugwort used in too big amounts can irritate nerves. Simply do not take it internally every day and if you chose to put it in a dream pillow, remember that very vivid dreams and lucid dreaming is nice, but doesn't let your brain to fully get its' rest time while you are sleeping.

3. If you want balance in your daily life, use everything in moderation - that's the wisdom from our ancestors who knew what their instincts told them.

Enjoy this simple, yet very special plant - mugwort really is worth to give it a try at least for a night filled with vivid dreams. Who knows - maybe it really might bring out life-changing messages from your own sub-consciousness that you can't access in other ways!

Update:
Want to know how to harvest and store mugwort? Check this article: Guide To Harvesting Wild Herbs