Today I’d like to share with you a seriously amazing, healing herb – Mugwort.
You might have heard it mentioned in Harry Potter.
Mugwort is one of the most mysterious herbs in the botanical world because of its seemingly supernatural properties. But it’s also sweet to the taste, which makes it a wonderful tea sip down when you’re winding down for the day.
Mugwort goes by many names: Cronewort, Common Wormwood, St Johns’ Plant, Artemisia Vulgaris and various others. It is held in high regard all throughout history as a powerful physical and metaphysical healer and is mentioned countless times in mythology. Rightly so, as it’s an incredibly ally that you likely have growing in your garden as a “weed”. These common people plants ( Plants that grow in excess wherever humans roam ) are there for good reason, not to be shunned and disregarded as pests, but rather appreciated and revered for their tenacity and abundance.
Mugwort is one of these people plants, it grows worldwide in temperate climates and thrives on disturbed land, wastelands and roadsides. Just don’t go picking any from busy roads, due to the air pollution. So clearly, as it’s so prolific and hardy, then perhaps it has an important purpose to fulfil.
Physical Healing Properties of Mugwort
Crushed Mugwort leaves applied to the skin relieves burning, itching and pain and, with continued application, can help get rid of warts.
Mugwort is a topical anaesthetic with antifungal and antibacterial properties.
It kills intestinal worms and parasites.
According to lore, chewing fresh mugwort leaves will help relieve tiredness/fatigue and clear the mind.
It is also used to help regulate the menstrual cycle and ease painful menstruation and the onset of menopause.
Mugwort has been used for centuries for disorders and epilepsy, as it has mild sedative and antispasmodic properties.
” Please note, that some claim that due to its effects on the menstrual cycle, it is NOT recommended for women during pregnancy, as it can induce labour.”
Metaphysical Properties of Mugwort
Perhaps the most interesting property of Mugwort is its effect on the dreaming mind. Dreaming can become a lot more psychedelic if Mugwort is taken shortly before bed. Were you to do a quick Google search on this unique herb, you’d likely come across various interesting stories, related to bizarre dreaming experiences that people report after having consumed Mugwort.
Mugwort protects travellers from both the physical and metaphysical worlds, and so she hugs our roadways, watching out for us. In these times of rushing around and living totally in the physical experience, Human Kind has never needed the gifts of Mugwort more. We need her gifts of Dreaming to bring us into the Spirit Realm and teach us to live in balance in both the Spirit and the Physical. This is why Mugwort grows so abundantly and is nigh impossible to kill. She will not rest until her mission is complete.
Mugwort is a potent third eye stimulator and cleanser, this is the reason it helps induce such wonderful and vivid dreams.
It is said to enhance whatever level of dreaming one is developed in. For example, if one can not remember one’s dreams, Mugwort will enhance and help the individual to develop this. If one is at the next level of dreaming, cognitive dreaming: (being aware one is dreaming and being able to “manipulate” the dream at will) Mugwort will enhance this.
No matter what level one is dreaming Mugwort will help you to develop your abilities. But beware, for until you become proficient your dreams may, at first, be difficult to deal with. Don’t be discouraged; practice makes perfect. Keeping a journal would be advantageous.
Used for smudging and incense in the same manner as the other Artemisia and Salvias. Burn near your bed before sleep for protection and dream enhancement. A good herb for clearing negativity from the home.
I must agree with all the above claims and statements, I have personally experienced incredibly detailed and intense dreams after ingesting the tea, and not one of the dreams has been unpleasant.
How to Harvest and use Mugwort
Finding Mugwort is incredibly easy, and identifying it is not a difficult task either. It’s rather distinctive, and once you’ve identified it once, you’ll remember it forever.
A few distinguishing features about it:
It grows anywhere from 30cm all the way up to 1.5m so it’s pretty tall and sticks out over most others around.
It has distinct leaves, on the underside it has a white almost hairy looking colour
The stem is usually a red/purple colour
It has a very spicy almost cannabis like smell to it when you crush the leaves.
The best time to harvest is just before it flowers, in the UK it’s around the middle of August.
As always, please harvest responsibly, as other animals and people rely on these gifts too, so when you harvest them, make sure to only take the top third of the plant, and not to decimate one area, try to take samples from different plants in different places, this ensures the plants get a chance to recover and spread their seed.
If you do have any trouble finding it in your area, get in touch with me and I’ll do my best to help you find it. I will be adding it to the store shortly.
The best way to dry and use the mugwort is to tie a string around small bundles of plants, and hang them somewhere dry and preferably dark for a couple of weeks. then crush it into jars or bags.
My favourite and likely the best way to consume mugwort is to make a tea or tisane, put it in a regular tea strainer for about 5-10 minutes and drink up, with a splash of honey of course.
Hopefully, you may find this useful, and give it a go yourself. I guarantee your dreams will be far wilder and highly psychedelic if you do.
We will be adding Mugwort and other potent healing herbs to our store very soon, so keep your eyes peeled!
For now, you can check out all our latest jewellery designs to aid you in your quest for inner peace and outer space.
With love and gratitude as always, fellow crystal fanatics.
Taylor | Human | Earth. ..