Mugwort

Mugwort, Artemisia vulgaris, is a member of the wonderful wormwood family. It is a very hardly plant and it grows and self sows prolifically. Its botanical name (vulgaris) reflects that it has known use as a medicinal herb. It is native to much of the Northern Hemisphere, even in the Tropics and the Arctic. It also grows really tall over summer when it flowers, over 2m in my garden.

🌱Many of the Artemisia family have actions to kill parasites (anthelmintic) and as bitters have an affinity with the liver (choleretic) and mugwort is no exception. It is also antimicrobial and has shown antibacterial action against Steptococcus mutans, which is carcinogenic.

🌱It is an appetite stimulant (orexigenic and stomachic) and and indicated for tummy upsets.

🌱Acupuncturists use it as part of moxa.

🌱It is used as an insect repellant in Western traditions.

🌱It has shown to be cytotoxic to some cancers.

I find it amazing how many simple, weedy, easy to grow herbs have such incredible actions.