Mugwort's Gift: Awakening the Feminine Shaman Within
Journey into the mystical and medicinal world of Mugwort, a plant steeped in folklore and revered for its potent properties. Known by a myriad of names – from the earthy 'Felon Herb' to the evocative 'Sailor’s Tobacco' – Artemisia vulgaris holds a unique place in both traditional healing and spiritual practices.
Named after Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt, fertility, and wild places, Mugwort embodies a powerful connection to nature and the inner self.
With its silvery leaves and aromatic scent, this humble herb has been employed for centuries across cultures, offering a diverse range of benefits, from soothing physical ailments to unlocking the depths of dream consciousness.
Join me as we delve into the multifaceted world of Mugwort, exploring its cultivation, uses, and the profound wisdom it imparts.
Common Names
Felon Herb, St. John’s Plant, Chrysanthemum Weed, Wild Wormwood, Old Uncle Henry, Sailor’s Tobacco, Maiden Wort, Chinese Honeysuckle. The botanical name Artemisia is that of the Greek goddess of the hunt, fertility, forests and hills
Parts used:
Leaves, root, flowering tops
Collection
The leaves may be harvested two or three times a year between June and September. They are gathered by cutting off the young shoots when they are approximately 30 cm long. They should be dried in the shade at a temperature not above 35°C.
Cultivation and Harvest
The flowering tops of Mugwort should be collected as soon as they bloom, as this is the height of volatile oil concentration. Mugwort leaves should be collected before the plant flowers and dried like Wormwood: spread into fan shapes so the leaves dry evenly, then tied into bundles and hung in the open air.
Though Mugwort’s aromatic properties are not quite as potent as Wormwood’s, it is still good practice to hang the bundles in a shady space protected from direct sunlight; this will ensure the preservation of the aromatic properties.
Mugwort roots are dug in autumn and immediately washed in cold water to separate from rootlets. Roots should be well spread out before being left to dry, as contact could promote mould growth. They should be dried in a warm room for about ten days and turned frequently. Once they appear a bit shrunken and shrivelled, the drying process must be finished artificially in a drying room or near a stove or fire. The drying process is not complete until roots are dry all the way through and brittle; they should snap when bent
Constituents
Roots contain tannin, inulin, and resin. Volatile oil contains over one hundred identified components, including cineole, camphor and thujone.
The flowers contain beta-sitosterol, coumarins, and alpha and beta-carotene.
The study of a crude extract yielded alkaloids, coumarins, flavonoids, saponins, sterols, and terpenes.
Actions
Anthelmintic: Expels parasitic worms and other internal parasites without harming the host.
Diaphoretic: induces perspiration.
Diuretic: Promotes urine production.
Emmenagogue: Stimulates blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus; some stimulate menstruation.
Nervine: benefits the nervous system, in this case as both a stimulant and tonic nervine.
Oneirogen: Enhances dreaming.
Stomachic: promotes the appetite or aids digestion.
Physical indications
Musculoskeletal system: Moxibustion, the TCM practice of burning mugwort near or on certain energy points or acupuncture points on the body, is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. It stimulates the flow of Qi and dispels cold and damp.
Nervous system: It may be used to alleviate depression, as it stimulates the liver energy and flow of Qi, generally alleviating stagnation symptoms.
Digestive system: Mugwort root is used as a gentle stomachic, and an infusion with just a single fresh leaf can also be a gentle stomach tonic, alleviating sickness and increasing appetite. Too much, though, can cause sickness and nausea. In low doses, it is a carminative and also encourages the secretion of digestive juices. It can also help to prevent and treat parasites such as worms and is a mild antifungal for the gut.
Gynaecological & Endocrine systems: Used as a uterine tonic and stimulant to bring on delayed menstruation. It is also used to halt menstrual bleeding where there is a blood deficiency and was traditionally used to prevent miscarriage, but in today’s practices, it is advised not to use it during pregnancy as it is a uterine tonic.
Skin: A diaphoretic - to encourage sweating, which can help in viral infections. It can be used as a wash to reduce immune responses such as a rash caused by an allergic reaction.
When Not to Use
Not for use in pregnancy or breastfeeding as a herb, but safe as a flower essence.
It is also possible to be allergic to the pollen of Mugwort - especially if you struggle with ragwort.
Preparations and Dosage
Tea: 1 fresh or dried leaf per cup for a very low dose, or a teaspoon for a strong brew; drink 1-3 cups a day. Drink before bed to help remember dreams and lucid dreaming.
Tincture: 1 part herb to 3 parts 45% alcohol. Adults: Take up to 2 ml (40 drops), 3 times a day in a little water, unless otherwise told by a qualified herbal medicine practitioner. This amount may be added to cold or warm water, juice or another drink.
Flower essence: a few drops - 2-7 before bed for dreaming or when meditating. I like to add mine to my cacao in the morning.
Bath: use 25g to 2 litres of water, infuse for 15 minutes and add to the bath water as a spiritual cleanser and a skin healer. I like to add it to my bath water on a full moon as a ritual cleansing practice.
Combinations
For digestive complaints, it combines well with Chamomile and liquorice. As a uterine tonic blended with Raspberry leaf and Rose.
Traditional uses
Roman soldiers were known to put Mugwort leaves in their sandals to keep their feet from tiring.
Native Americans used Mugwort as a spiritual ally in addition to a medicinal one. They believed that rubbing Mugwort leaves along the body would keep ghosts away and that wearing a necklace of Mugwort leaves would keep one from dreaming about the dead. Cheyenne women also commonly used “woman’s” Mugwort or prairie sagewort, Artemisia frigida, to regulate their fertility. Women of other Native American tribes, such as the Blackfoot and Arapaho, also depended on Mugwort as a stimulant in the case of missed menstruation
Spiritual Properties
A common use of Mugwort is as a oneirogen, a dream enhancer; you may like to fill a dream pillow with dried leaves or to place leaves under the bedtime pillow, drink the tea or take a few drops of the essence.
Mugwort is also used as a smudging herb for ceremonial purposes that include the connection to our spirit guides and creating the dream-like state we seek in shamanic journeys.
The flower essence is used to bring more awareness of our psychic potential, especially the potential for psychic dreams. It also connects us to the Earth plane when we feel disconnected from our physical body and the physical realm - perhaps numb to cold. She simply weaves these worlds together.
Mugwort brings clarity to dreams and visionary work. It helps us make sense of the inspirations we receive from channelled information. To more clearly understand the symbols, images and information to increase the insights and help us weave them into our daily lives. It helps to open the third eye and etheric sight.
My Healing Journey With Mugwort
In my journey with Mugwort during a month-long dieta, I experienced and very much enjoyed lucid dreaming like never before.
She taught me powerful messages about personal freedom, how to not give a f**k what others think of me. Gifting me a sense of renewed freedom to live my way, tapping into my passion, and not to perform for others.
Another surprising lesson I received from Mugwort was about appreciating, even celebrating, ugliness as equal to beauty. When I ‘see’ Mama Mugwort, she appears as an old crone, a magical witch flying on a broomstick, laughing outrageously, flying free and rising above it all. She knows her power and her magic, and she is not to be messed with!
When you work with mugwort and allow her to influence you, she will help you feel the same way - this is my favorite element of her magic and her medicine.
Conclusion
From the practical applications of moxibustion in traditional Chinese medicine to the ethereal realm of lucid dreaming and shamanic journeys, Mugwort reveals itself as a truly versatile and potent ally. Whether you seek relief from physical discomfort, a deeper connection to your inner self, or a clearer understanding of your dreams, Mugwort offers a pathway to holistic well-being. Its ability to bridge the physical and spiritual realms makes it a valuable companion on the journey to self-discovery.
In my personal experience, Mugwort has been a transformative force, unlocking the doors to vivid dreams and empowering me to embrace my authentic self.
As Mama Mugwort, the witch flying free on her broomstick, reminds us, true power lies in embracing our unique magic and living unapologetically. It’s a reminder that within the realm of herbalism, there exists not just healing but also profound wisdom and personal liberation.
So, whether you choose to brew a soothing tea, prepare a dream pillow, or simply connect with the plant in nature, may Mugwort guide you on your path with clarity, insight, and a touch of wild, untamed magic.
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Mugwort, the first plant ally we encounter in the Shaman's Way Immersion for Women, serves as a powerful catalyst for inner transformation. Its unique blend of grounding and visionary properties prepares participants to embark on a journey of deep self-discovery. As an oneirogen, it opens the doors to the dream world, fostering lucid dreaming and enhancing intuitive insights – essential tools for shamanic exploration.
By stimulating the flow of Qi and dispelling stagnation, Mugwort helps to release emotional and energetic blockages, paving the way for inner freedom. Its ability to connect us to the Earth plane, as well as the ethereal realms, facilitates a grounded yet expansive perspective, allowing participants to see with the 'third eye' of a shaman. Furthermore, its historical use in regulating female cycles and its connection to the goddess Artemis underscores its role in empowering women to reclaim their innate wisdom and power.
Through Mugwort, we begin to weave together the tangible and intangible, stepping into a space where magic and healing intertwine, and the journey to becoming a shamanic practitioner truly begins.
