Mugwort, or Artemisia vulgaris as known in Latin, is a plant of ancient medicinal usage. Associated with Artemis, goddess of the moon and of nature, mugwort has long been used as an herb for supporting women’s health, particularly in balancing menstrual cycles. In addition, as an aromatic bitter herb, mugwort stimulates and helps regulate digestion.
One of the most well known medicinal uses of mugwort comes from Chinese herbalism, in which leaves of this plant are rolled into moxa sticks for use in “moxibustion”. These moxa sticks are placed over the body and burned, thought in traditional Chinese medicine to increase circulation and draw out toxins.
In traditional western herbalism however, Mugwort is typically made into a tea or tincture. To make a tea, it is generally recommended to place 1-2 teaspoons of dried mugwort in a closed vessel (such as a tea strainer or french press), add 1 cup of boiling water, and allow the tea to infuse for at least 15 minutes. Please note that mugwort should never be used during pregnancy, or in excessive doses.
Mugwort has long been used as an herbal tea for female disorders. Herbalist Matthew Wood explains that mugwort “acts strongly on the female system, increasing circulation to warm up the uterus, move the blood, and regulate hormone levels.” Specifically, Mugwort has traditionally been used as a remedy for painful menstrual cramps and supporting the nervous system before and during menses.
