Posted on Wednesday 6/9

What is Mugwort and Where is it a Problem?

It is an invasive weed growing on nitrogenous soils, like weedy and uncultivated areas, such as waster places and roadsides. It is a tall perennial plant growing 3-6 ft. with dark green, pinnate leaves possessing white hairs on the underside. The erect stem often has a red purplish tinge. The small flowers are symmetrical with many yellow or dark red petals. It flowers from July to September. A variety of species of butterflies and months feed on the leaves and flowers.

Does Mugwort have Benefits for Medicine, Cooking, and Gardening?

Delving a bit deeper we find that Mugwort contains thujone which is a toxin in large amounts or under prolonged intake. There are recorded historic uses in food, herbal medicine and as a smoking herb. It is also used by many before sleeping because it is thought that placing the herb inside the pillowcase and sleeping on the pillow can bring about vivid dreams.

As a food item, the leaves and buds, best picked just prior to the plant flowering in July to September, were used as a bitter flavoring agent to season fat, meat and fish. In the Middle Ages Mugwort was used as part of a herbal mixture used in flavoring of beer before the introduction of hops. In Korea Mugwort is a common seasoning in soups and pancakes.

Known as a blood cleanser, it is believed to have different medicinal properties depending on the harvest area. In some areas it is reported to cleanse blood and in another region to possess hallucigenic properties that some individuals passed out from direct skin contact with the active chemicals. It is for this reason; Koreans also wear a silk sleeve when picking Mugwort plants.

In Japan Mugwort or yomogi is found in a number of Japanese dishes, including yokan, a dessert. Mugwort rice cakes are used for Japanese sweets called Daifuku. Traditional Daifuku can be pale green, white or pale pink and are covered in a fine layer of potato starch to prevent sticking.

Although one can appreciate the culinary aspects of Mugwort, let us not forget the traditional Chinese medicinal aspects called moxibustion. Moxibustion plays an important role in the traditional medical systems of China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Tibet, and Mongolia. Suppliers usually age the Mugwort and grind it up to a fluff; practitioners burn the fluff or process it further into a stick that resembles a (non-smokeable) cigar. They can use it indirectly, with acupuncture needles, or sometimes burn it on a patient's skin.

The Folklore Behind Mugwort

From the culinary and medicinal properties of Mugwort we must examine the Folklore and Witchcraft of the Mugwort. In the grand old Middle Ages, Mugwort was used as a magical protective herb. It was used to repel insects, with emphasis on moths. It was proclaimed as a remedy against fatigue and protector of travelers from evil spirits and wild animals.

Roman soldiers put Mugwort in their sandals to protect their feet against fatigue. In witchcraft Mugwort is said to be useful in inducing lucid dreaming and astral projection. Consumption of the plant or a tincture before sleep is said to increase the intensity of the dream and to aid in the recall of dreams upon waking. Remember, not everything is what it seems to be.