<aside> ⚛️ Highlighted Chemical Constituents
Eudesmane-type sesquiterpene, morin, luteolin, triterpenes, coumarin, flavonoids, eriodictyol
Essential Oil Components - Sabinene, 1,8-cineole, artemisia ketone, both thujone isomers (α- and β-diastereoisomers), camphor, cis-chrysanthenyl acetate, davanone, davanone B, chrysanthenone, borneol, germacrene D, α-pinene, menthol, β-eudesmol, spathulenol, (Z,Z)-3,5-octadiene, 2,5-octadiene, 3,4,5-trimethyl-1-hexene, pulegone, 3-methyl-2-cyclohexene-1-one, decahydro-1,1,7-trimethyl-4-methylene-1H-cyclopropazulene
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<aside> ⚛️ Herbal + Modern Medicine Interaction
Utilizing Mugwort may interfere with radioactive labeling used in medical imaging
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<aside> ⚛️ Anthelmintic
Data suggests that Mugwort may be effective against thrichinella spiralis, which is the parasite commonly associated with undercooked pork. This may also speak to Mugwort’s history as a pork seasoning.
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<aside> ⚛️ Anti-fertility + Abortifacient
Herbal abortion is an imperfect and risk filled practice. It can also be culturally significant, effective, and viable option when paired with knowledge and community. An assessment of case studies revealed that effectiveness was due mostly to gestational age (the earlier the protocol began, the more likely to achieve a complete abortion with herbal preparations alone) secondary to effective formulation. Mugwort has historically been used as an herbal abortifacient, though high doses may cause renal failure. Mugwort may also result in an incomplete abortion or irreversible harm to the pregnant person. One review cited data that suggested alcohol extracts of Mugwort exhibited anti-implantation activity on female rats through estogenic activity, and that activity was concentration dependent.
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<aside> ⚛️ Anti-allergenic
One study sought to observe Mugwort lotion’s effectiveness at treating the ichiness that comes with hypertrophic scarring after deep burns. Because this itching is believed to be caused by increased inflammatory pathways, and Mugwort is know for it’s antihistamine and antiallergenic properties, it was posited that Mugwort lotion would be effective to treat the itch in these patients. They observed positive results
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<aside> ⚛️ Tumor Cell Growth Inhibition
One study evaluated the cytotoxic effect of 4 different Mugwort extract preparations. Cytotoxic effect was observed against leukemic cell lines, MCF 7 breast cancer cell lines, KU-812- laukemiabcr/abl abnormal cell lines, TCC-S- laukemiabcr/abl and abl abnormal cell lines. The chloroform and hexane extracted fractions were the most effective at inhibiting cell growth, and it is posited in the study that this may be due to Mugwort’s cytotoxic constituents being non-polar molecules. This study concluded that the aqueous extraction was the least effective and that effectiveness was dose dependent. Another study found that a menthanolic extract of Mugwort exerted a cytotoxic effect on colon cancer cells in a dose dependant way. These researchers also observed inhibition of colony formation and induced cell degradation dose-dependently.
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<aside> ⚛️ Analgesic
may slightly reduce the negative pain stimulus reaction to the brain.
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<aside> ⚛️ Anti-diabetic
One review cited data that extract of Mugwort reduced various diabetic nephropathy symptoms in rats
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<aside> ⚛️ Hypolipedemic
One review gathered data that suggests Mugwort may increas HDL (good cholesterol) and lower overall cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, VLDL, and diminish atherogenicity (the build up of plaque withing the arteries)
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<aside> ⚛️ Anti-bacterial
Data reported in another review suggests that oil infusions of Mugwort show inhibitory action against the expansion of Aspergillus niger, E.Coli, Candida, Salmonella, Staph, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas and Streptococcus mutans. Mugwort’s popularity in skincare preparations may be due to it’s inhibition of acne causing bacterial. One study observed that Mugwort leaf extract gel at concentrations of 2.5% and 5% created the largest inhibition zone of acne causing bacteria. One study looked at the effect of dying towels with Mugwort colorants and observed an improved antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and increased deodorizing. Another study observed the antibacterial activity and mechanism of chloroform fraction obtained from aqueous extract of mugwort leaves against Staphylococcus aureus. The extract showed obvious antibacterial activity against S. aureus which the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration were determined to be 3·0 and 6·0 mg/ml respectively. The mechanism study suggested that the extract could destroy the integrity of the S. aureus cell walls and increase the permeability of cell membrane in a certain concentration, but it could not kill S. aureus in a short time. Instead, the extract could make bacteria in a state of apoptosis for a long time, interfere with the normal physiological metabolism of bacteria, and eventually make bacteria die, which was confirm by scanning electronic microscope.
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<aside> ⚛️ Anti-malarial
One study observed that oral extraction at 500mg and 1000mg/kg significantly inhibited parasitemia by 65.16% and 51.46 % respectively and no major organ toxicity was observed after 14 days. Ethanolic extract increased those percentages
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<aside> ⚛️ Anti-hypertensive
Mugwort, as utilized in moxibustion, may have an effect on blood pressure.
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<aside> ⚛️ Antioxident
One review cited a study that observed aqueous Mugwort extract was able to scavenge DPPH radicals and NO radicals
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<aside> ⚛️ Anti-inflammatory
Flavenoids present in Mugwort may halt many metabolic processes that cause inflammation
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Earliest record of Mugwort appears in Dioscorides’ “Materia Medica”, a text written between 50-70 CE that would be referenced for the next 1500 years. Dioscorides wrote about a Mugwort bath helping in birth and afterbirth, and recording that a high enough dose would cause abortion. Some sources even suggested that Mugwort may have been used in turning a breech baby. Mugwort also appears in the Nine Herbs Charm, an Old English charm recorded in the tenth-century CE. Anglo-Saxon medical compilation known as Lacnunga. The text begins by addressing mugwort as the oldest of plants and suggests Mugwort has the power against poison, infection, and “the evil that travels the land” which may be in reference to it’s ability to grow almost anywhere. Another text from the tenth century “Bald’s Leechbook” cites it’s use to cast out demonic possession with instructions to heat a rock, sprinkle with mugwort, then douse with water to create a steam for the patient to inhale. Mugwort water and Mugwort syrup appear in an early 1700s “hysterik” mixture available for purchase at an apothecary in Scotland with instructions to take as soon as the pain was encountered and to head straight to bed to stay warm.
In more magical context, Mugwort was also called St. John’s plant (not to be confused with St. John’s Wort) because it’s believed that John the Baptist wore Mugwort in his belt, which is the origin of the myth that collecting Mugwort on St. John’s Eve will give protection against bad luck and illness. Another source suggested that Mugwort was used to treat “elf shot”, a general sickness caused by arrows from the Fae.
The most obvious origin for Mugwort’s latin name connects it’s many applications to women’s health concerns with Artemis, Goddess of childbirth among other arenas. Artemisia Vulgaris may also be named after Artemisia, wife to Greek/Persian king Mausolus, who was a notable medicinal and botanical expert. While it was often used for menstrual and child bearing ailments, a few other applications came up in the literature repeatedly. The first was the story of Roman soldiers putting Mugwort leaves in their shoes to relieve tired feet and enable them to travel long distances. This, in combination with Mugwort’s tendancy to be growing wherever you are, had created a connection to travelers and traveling. Like often happens with ancient practices, science eventually comes and explains why our ancestors did what they did - it turns out that Mugwort’s properties are available when applied topically, whether in a salve made with an infused oil or in the shoes of Roman soldiers. The relief is attributed to both Mugwort’s mild hallucinagenic properties and a high magnesium content, both of which would have relieved tired sore legs and feet and can be applied today to ailments like restless leg syndrome, sore muscles in much the same way we utilize CBD topicals.
Mugwort played a few mundane historical rolls as well, including offering it’s bitter flavor to beer before hops were used, and as a cheap tobacco replacement often called “sailor’s tobacco”. Mugwort is also used in a culinary capacity is slightly different ways depending on where you are in the world - in the west it’s used to flavor pork and poultry dishes while in the east it’s used to flavor tea and rice dishes.
In contrast to the peer-reviewed-research section of this literature review, the information in this section refers to Mugwort’s properties that have been observed and validated through personal experience and their integration into cultural practices.
Mugwort is synonymous with uterine health in herbally inclined circles, and it’s continued and historical use leaves no question why. Often used to bring on and regulate an irregular menstural cycle, Mugwort is considered an emmenagogue and is believed to stimulate uterine contractions. This also explains why it is contraindicated for folks in early pregnancy who are wishing to remain pregnant, and why it may be helpful during birth and after, both to encourage uterine contraction to facilitate birth and after, to encourage uterine closure and reduce inflammation. For all these same reasons it may relieve pain with menstruation. One source also suggested taking Mugwort along side hormonal birth control to encourage our bodies to remember their natural rhythms
Mugwort’s bitter flavor lends itself to digestive applications, specifically stimulating gastric juices.
The most mainstream systematic use of Mugwort is in the moxibustion practice in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine. Dried mugwort is burned on particular parts of the body to enhance the effect of the acupuncture treatment and for it’s own effects. One source even suggested that acupuncture and moxibustion may reduce rates of cesarean births.
Mugwort also appears in skin care applications for it’s anti-aging properties. From personal experience, my skin is never softer or clearer than what I include Mugwort in my infusions. You’ll find Mugwort in mainstream brands like Dr.Jart+ and in some countries it is found in toothpaste formulations. As we learned from the story of Roman soldiers placing Mugwort leaves in their shoes to enable them to cover long distances, the many properties of Mugwort can be absorbed through the skin, pain relief and hallucinagenic properties included. Mugwort appears in modern recipes for flying ointment, and one practitioner mentioned using an infused lotion before bed for dream enhancement in lieu of taking a tea and observing similar though milder results. Topical application may also relieve sore muscles and joints.
Mugwort is also useful to use in environmental applications - the essential oil may act as a bug repellent in homemade recipes, and one source suggested powdered Mugwort to repel moths and to lay branches of Mugwort between rows in a garden to discourage pests.
In industrial applications, Mugwort hydrogel is being considered as a medium for environment specific drug release tablets sensative to pH, saline, and electrolytes and is also being explored as a perennial crop to be used in bio fuel in an effort to find more sustainable fuel sources.
<aside> ⚛️ The energetics according to Lindsey
Seems to work like a motor or a magnet on a very heavy door. It works to open and prop open that heavy door, and also helps to close that door with decisive speed. It’s use in historical ritual as the first and last herb used suggests it’s opening and closing power. it fortifies our ability to control the passage between the worlds
seems to strengthen the membrane against anything we aren’t actively calling in, while also sending out the bat signal for what we are inviting in
It’s invasive nature speaks to it’s energetic properties
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<aside> ⚛️ Associations
Full Moon
Summer Solstice
Crone
Helper for confronting difficult truths
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<aside> ⚛️ Ways to use Mugwort
Tea
Great herb for tea leaf reading
Dream sachet under your pillow
Burn as an incense
Magic cleansing spray
Use infusion to cleanse ritual tools
Strong infusion added to a bath
Tucked into clothing (shoes, bra)
Stuffed inside cloth dolls or stuffed animals
Infused in oil and used for anointing or skin applications
Fresh stalks can be made into a flower crown / wreath
Smokable
Weave it into a besom
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<aside> ⚛️ Dreamwork
Drink Mugwort tea before bed for lucid or prophetic dreams. Mugwort’s mild hallucinogenic properties allow for a more relaxed veil between you and the other side. Mugwort may also increase dream recall.
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<aside> ⚛️ Divination
Mugwort is often associated with Divination and can be utiilized through a pre-ritual tea for openness to messages. If this may be too strong a practice, steeped Mugwort can also be used for a pre-ritual hand wash before tactile divination practices like Tarot, Oracle reading or Pendulum.
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<aside> ⚛️ Spiritwork
Before spirit and ancestor work, burn Mugwort in a smoke cleansing bundle - cleanse yourself with the smoke and step over the bundle to leave spirits where you found them
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