MUGWORT

Have in mind, Mugwort, what you made known,
What you laid down, at the great denouncing.
Una your name is, oldest of herbs
Of might against thirty, and against three,
Of might against venom and the onflying,
Of might against the demons who fare through the land.

-charm recorded in the Lacnunga, a Wessex herbal from the 10th century

I don't feel completely qualified to write on mugwort. It is such an ancient plant and has so many powerful uses that I feel a young babe in her presence. Ah, but many of us are surrounded by mugwort. And instead of cursing her as we (futilely) try to dig her roots from our gardens and fields... we might come to appreciate the gifts she brings. So here is my humble addition to what has been said before and what you might learn from dear mugwort her self.

First, we’ll start with a simple recipe. Mugwort tincture is always good to have on hand, as you may use it for so many different purposes… dreams, digestion, to bring on the moon and even to coax little babies out into this world…

MUGWORT TINCTURE

• fresh mugwort, in bud or first bloom

• vodka or another 100-proof alcohol (bourbon is tasty with mugwort)
  

For the harvest: Our mugwort sprouts come up in early spring, some arising over the winter. Then those soft little stems and leaves slowly grow into five foot towering creatures by the end of summer. This is when I harvest for tincture, right before the tiny buds open into deep red blossoms. 

Parts used: all good leaves, buds or blossoms, and stem

I usually leave the plant as whole as possible, curling up the stems of leaves and putting them into the jar on top of any loose pieces, to help keep everything submerged. Completely cover all plant material with the alcohol so that nothing is above the surface. Brew for at least 6 weeks. As always, you can use half honey and half liquor to make an elixir instead, changing portions depending on how sweet you like it. If you avoid alcohol, try apple cider vinegar or half vinegar & honey.

Mugwort is also a lovely plant to dry, in her whole form. Though it is not the best way to preserve dried herbs, mugwort is one that I usually have hanging from the rafters like the witches of old.

THE HUNT FOR MUGWORT 

When I first started studying plants, I was very drawn to mugwort, but found it difficult to find. This is now quite amusing as I sit outside my studio, mugwort growing out of an old bench next to me. These days, mugwort pops up between my kale and watermelons... in our gravel driveway... the cracks of the front steps... mugwort grows everywhere!

But back then... I went out, on the hunt for mugwort. I found a tiny mugwort plant growing in the middle of a trail where I thought she might be. Though I very much wanted to pick just one small leaf, for a little help with my dreams that night, I instead made a blessing on the plant and studied it for a while before saying good bye. As dusk fell, I met up with my husband down the trail, and was excitedly recounting the tale of finding the tiny mugwort plant when something caught my eye... a whole stand of tall, dark green plants, blowing in the wind. We were standing at the edge of an entire field of mugwort. 

I now often see fields of mugwort in old river bottom farmland. Around these parts, it is a nuisance to most farmers and gardeners. But what medicine does this mysterious plant hold? I have been using mugwort for a good many years, but I am still getting to know her many powers and benefits. For those who are surrounded by mugwort, you could start by picking some and making digestive bitters...

DIGESTIVE BITTERS

Mugwort stimulates appetite, calms upset stomach, and helps in digestion. Perhaps add some fresh plant to a digestive potion of dandelion root and yarrow... or chew a leaf before dinner!

DREAMS

I first used mugwort for dreams, chewing one or two small leaves before going to sleep. I found that it made my dreams more vivid and surreal. If you are curious about this use of mugwort, I encourage you to spend some time with the plant in the wild and harvest it fresh. If that is not possible, try to find a wild crafter who makes a tincture especially for dreams. You also could take dried mugwort and make a small dream pillow, or have the plant in a vase next to your bed.

SMUDGE STICK

Mugwort makes a lovely smudge stick, especially good for those who live amongst it, and not amongst the popular white sage. I’m trying to find a good smudge stick reference for you, as my own sticks are fairly clumsy.

CALM

When my daughter first went to nursery school some years ago, she was always quite exhausted when I picked her up and the transition from the play yard to the car ride could be quite challenging. I would pick some fresh mugwort from the school yard and rub it under her nose, to bring some calmness to the transition. (And pack a good snack for the ride across the mountain to our home…) 

CHILDBIRTH & LABOR

Mugwort has been used since ancient times in Chinese medicine to help bring the child forth. I made a very strong, double brewed tincture for the labor of my second child. Oh, I was so excited to try out that tincture! As one who prefers to gain herbal knowledge through experience, this was my chance. Well, my contractions were already coming quite regularly when I snuck away from my doula and husband and had a swig of my mugwort potion. I waited a few moments when HOOOOO-WEEEEEEE! The next contraction came on extremely hard and oh-so-strong. I then realized my body didn't need any herbal help and put my experimental tincture away. I’ve read about dried mugwort being used as a steam bath for the laboring woman, but I didn’t have time to try this out as well.

MENSTRUATION

Mugwort tincture or tea may be used to increase blood circulation to the pelvic region, helping to bring on menstruation. Indeed, this makes a nice ritual for what can be a physically challenging time for a woman. I take the tincture or elixir quite freely in the days leading up to this time. If you are one who tends to hurl tea cups across the kitchen, you might add a bit of motherwort tincture to the mix.

CONCEPTION

When one is trying to conceive a child, sometimes stress arises. Sometimes the pains of the past come to the surface. The physical body can hold a lot of that pain, even if our conscious minds forget. Mugwort can be made into an oil for pelvic massage, to help bring new energy and send healing into the reproductive parts of our bodies. I made an oil to clear out the stagnant blood after I had an emergency surgery on my right ovary, and then in hopes of clearing out the fallopian tubes. It took me a long time to actually make the oil (and face the pain), but then I conceived the month that I started the massage practice.

AWAKEN THE WITCH

Our own mugwort lover at Adelyne's Apothecary makes a Ritual Body Oil with mugwort, yarrow, and goldenrod, a magical blend that is very centering. With those additional herbs, this oil would also be a wonderful base for a wound salve. 

Mugwort is featured in Chapter 15: North Forty.

*Disclaimer*

This material is intended for educational purposes only. This recipe does not provide specific dosage information, format recommendations, toxicity levels, or possible interactions with prescription drugs. Accordingly, this information should be used only under the direct supervision of a qualified health practitioner.