Mugwort – Wormwood ( Artemisia vulgaris)
Mugwort or Common Wormwood (Artemisia vulgaris L.), is a species from the daisy family Asteraceae and is also known as Felon Herb, St. John's Plant, and Wild Wormwood.
Origins
Mugwort is native to temperate Europe and Asia And is very common, growing on roadsides, and in wooded areas and wetlands.
It is a tall herb growing up to 1.5 meters. The deep green leaves are pinnate, with white tomentose hairs on their underside. The erect stem has often a red-purplish tinge.
Mugwort contains ethereal oils (such as cineole, or wormwood oil, and thujone), flavonoids, triterpenes, and coumarine derivatives.
Color
This plant has deep green leaves with white hairs underneath. The stem can be a reddish purple and it produces narrow flowers that are a whitish- green or whitish-yellow color.
Height
Mugwort can grow up to almost 5 feet tall.
Flowers In
Mugwort, or wormwood flowers frim July to September. The flowers are often eating by the larva of the Wormwood pug. This plant is often dried to use in wreaths and dried flower arrangements.
Care
Plant Mugwort in full sun – it will tolerate a wide range of soil conditions but can become invasive.
Propagation
Propagate by cuttings, division or seed.
Zone
Hardy in zones 3 – 10.
Culinary Uses
Mugwort has a slightly bitter taste and the leaves and buds are best when picked shortly before the plans flowers. Use this herb to season meat and fish. Before hops was introduced, Mugwort was used to flavor beer.
Medicinal Properties
Mugwort root has been used since ancient times to protect travelers against evil spirits and will animals. It is also useful in fighting fatigue and chewing the leaves can help stimulate the nervous system. In witchcraft it is useful to enhance lucid dreams and astral travel. It can also cause uterine contractions so pregnant women should avoid this herb.
Mugwort has an aromatic smell. Poor people used mugwort, sometimes mixed with other herbs, as a substitute for tobacco. It can also be smoked mixed with or as a substitute for marijuana, it evokes a dreamy state of consciousness.
Mugwort contains ethereal oils (such as cineole, or wormwood oil, and thujone), flavonoids, triterpenes, and coumarine derivatives. Thujone can be toxic and pregnant women, in particular, should avoid consuming large amounts of mugwort.
More Perennials:
Perennial Garden Flower Guide
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Attract butterflies to your garden with this perennial.
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