Mugwort is one of the most ancient remedies used in modern herbalism. It is said to be one of the oldest plants on earth in the charm of nine worts.
Historical Use
Its Latin name, Artemisia, stems from the goddess Artemis — goddess of the moon and mother of nature. Its Celtic name is Liath-lus. Traditionally it is used to support the womb, stomach and nervous system, and as an aid in dream work.
Energetic Architecture
This plant holds kinship to the moon and Venus, due to its affinities to the female reproductive system and the nervous system. It also shows correspondence to the moon in that the undersides of its leaves are white, and have been said to glow in the moonlight.
Elementally it is akin to the air element, due to its connection to the nervous system. It has a very dreamy and pungent smell, containing lots of volatile oils. Being an aromatic bitter, it stimulates digestion and bile secretion and helps us to better digest and absorb nutrients — and this is also true in the energetic realm.
Physical Attributes
On a physical level mugwort primarily acts on the nervous system, the reproductive system and the digestive system.
The nervous system
Mugwort is a mild nervine stimulant and nervine relaxant. It stimulates nerve activity and brings blood supply to the nervous system, therefore revitalising it when it has been overworked. Additionally it supports the autonomic nervous system in this way, aiding in digestion and bringing circulation and nutrition to the nerves and muscles.
Mugwort also has a mild nervine sedative effect, calming anxiety and relieving tension. It is helpful for nervousness, anxiety and insomnia. However, with insomnia, sometimes because of its effect on dreaming it can help you fall asleep but then you can dream so much you don’t end up feeling fully rested — so for the highly sensitive, be aware of this potential.
The female reproductive system
Mugwort acts on the female reproductive system as an emmenagogue. As an aromatic bitter it both increases circulation and brings blood flow to the uterus (aromatic and pungent), and supports the draining of fluids to help stimulate menstruation and release (bitter). In this way it also relieves tension and spasm in the uterus, aiding in the relaxation of menstrual cramping.
It is an ideal remedy for PMS in that it acts on the uterus, the liver and the nervous system. Not only does it support the uterus in releasing tension, it also relieves liver stagnation, which is often a culprit in difficult menses. On top of all of that it soothes the nervous system, creating an excellent combination of actions to support women at that time of the month. However, because of these actions it is contraindicated for pregnancy.
The Digestive system
In the digestive system mugwort acts through its pungent and aromatic bitter qualities, gently warming the digestive tract and increasing bile production to help the body break down and properly absorb nutrients.
It is also an anthelmintic, which means it can be supportive in the removal of parasites — although its relative wormwood is much stronger and more effective in this aspect. As both a nervous system and digestive remedy it is an excellent plant to use for nervous digestion, as it calms and soothes the nerves while stimulating the digestive capacity.
Energetic Qualities
Mugwort teaches us to take what we learn in the dreamtime and integrate it into our daily lives. She does this through tuning us into our intuition and heightened senses, so we can absorb and assimilate the information they bring us in a grounded way.
Mugwort is specifically used when the masculine side of oneself is overworked and the feminine depleted, bringing about a sense of calm and groundedness. This supports us in coming back into our body in a deeper sense, one that allows us to tune in to the deeper currents of feeling into what is going on around us.
In this day and age we are so heavily encouraged to live in a way that is fully “masculine” energy focused, and to not take the time to attune to the more feminine, receptive and nurturing parts of ourselves. Mugwort is a great ally in reminding us to attune to these aspects of our being, and in supporting us in feeling and listening to them.
Mugwort brings energy to the third eye, gut, and sacral centers — bridging the gap between our awareness, our creativity, and our digestion or integration.
On an energetic level I find mugwort to be especially useful in helping us to slow down and listen to the lessons we are receiving through our dreams and daily life. She can create a heightened sense of awareness and intuition, allowing us to tune in to what is going on under the surface of things — as well as being an excellent ally to work with in learning to connect with the plant realm. Mugwort can be a potent ally for dream recall and assimilation.
She holds space for us to tune in to these centers and processes so that we can walk forward in a more whole and integrated way.
Cautions. Mugwort is contraindicated in pregnancy. As with any herb, please consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new remedy, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing or taking prescription medication.