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Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) has long held a place in herbal traditions as a plant that aids transitions, from physical healing to dreamwork. Revered for its connection to intuition and its ability to help us cross thresholds between states of being, mugwort is both medicinal and magical.
In this blog, we’ll delve into the fascinating history and medicinal properties of mugwort, learn how to grow and identify the plant, and explore a simple recipe for making your own mugwort dream oil.
Mugwort is a member of the Asteraceae family and is native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, though it has naturalized in many parts of North America. This hardy perennial is easy to grow and thrives in a variety of conditions, making it a great addition to an herbalist’s garden. It prefers well-drained soil and full to partial sunlight, and once established, it can spread vigorously. If you’re thinking of growing mugwort, it’s wise to keep it contained, as its rhizomatic roots can take over garden beds quickly. To help prevent the plant from spreading to unwanted places, you can harvest the tops of the plant, before they go to seed. (Your neighbours will thank you!)
The plant is easily identifiable by its deeply lobed leaves, which are green on top and silvery-white underneath, giving the plant a characteristic shimmering look in the wind. Mugwort grows tall, often reaching heights of 5-6 feet, with small clusters of yellowish or reddish flowers that bloom in late summer. The leaves have a slightly bitter, sage-like taste, and when crushed, they release a pleasant, aromatic scent reminiscent of other Artemisia species like sagebrush. If you encounter mugwort in the wild, you’ll often find it growing along roadsides, fields, and disturbed areas, thriving in spaces where it has room to spread.
Historically, mugwort was used in Celtic traditions for its protective and medicinal powers. In the Isle of Man, it was customary to wear a sprig of mugwort on Tynwald Day to ward off evil spirits. This tradition, revived in the 1920s, is a testament to mugwort’s enduring reputation as a protector against harm.
Mugwort’s place in Celtic folk medicine and mythology is echoed throughout the British Isles, where it was used in amulets to ward off the evil eye. The plant’s association with protection made it a staple in many rituals intended to avert malevolent forces, with herbalists and healers relying on mugwort’s powers to guard against misfortune.
Mugwort has also been tied to ancient brewing practices, where women used the herb to flavour their beers, adding medicinal benefits along with flavour. The “mug” in mugwort likely refers to this role in brewing, a tradition that was disrupted when brewing laws changed in the 1500s, diminishing women’s role in the practice.
Mugwort offers a unique balance of medicinal and magical properties. The plant has long been used to support women’s reproductive health, as it can help ease menstrual cramping and regulate cycles. As a nervine, mugwort works on the nervous system in two ways – stimulating when needed while also providing relaxation. Additionally, mugwort is known for its digestive benefits, helping to soothe minor discomforts and improve digestion, which is why some herbalists recommend drinking mugwort tea after meals.
This dual nature of mugwort – calming the body while stimulating the mind – can make this plant particularly effective for dreamwork. Mugwort is often used to promote restful sleep while simultaneously enhancing intuitive and psychic visions, making it popular for practices like astral travel and spiritual exploration. However, while many find that mugwort enhances their connection to the dream world, its vivid effects can sometimes lead to overstimulation, leaving some users feeling more drained than rested upon waking.
Often referred to as a “threshold plant,” mugwort is known for helping individuals transition between different states of being, whether it’s moving from wakefulness to sleep, or guiding someone through a new phase in life. Herbal Village coordinator, and registered herbalist, Megan Kendrick describes mugwort as a plant that supports movement through these spaces:
“When you think of a threshold, it’s quite literally the place that we cross over to enter a new space… Mugwort helps us in that journey, helping us to transition to new places, new dimensions, and new thought processes.” – Megan Kendrick
This ability to help with transitions has deep mythological roots as well. Mugwort’s Latin name, Artemisia vulgaris, ties the plant to Artemis, the Greek goddess of the moon, nature, and protector of the wilderness. Artemis embodies a balance of nurturing and protective energies, much like mugwort itself, which is known for both its healing properties and its ability to open pathways to intuition.
Herbalist and author Judith Berger has a deeply personal connection to mugwort, particularly in its role as a dream herb. In her book Herbal Rituals, Berger shares how mugwort helped her reconnect with her life’s dreams and purpose. She recounts an experience where the plant “spoke” to her, reminding her of the importance of remembering not just her nighttime dreams, but her deeper life goals and desires. As she puts it, “Mugwort distinctly said to me, yes, I help you remember your dreams, and it meant my life’s dreams, to be connected to the plants in the forest in that way – not just to remember my dreams at night.”
Berger’s experience with mugwort highlights how deeply intertwined this plant is with the concept of transitions, whether it’s crossing into the dream world or reawakening a connection to personal aspirations. Mugwort’s ability to guide us through these liminal spaces is part of what makes it such a powerful plant for herbalists and healers alike.
You can listen to Judith recount her story and dive deeper into her herbal wisdom, in an exclusive interview available in our Herbal Village.
Mugwort’s energy is deeply connected to the moon, which governs intuition, emotions, and the subconscious. This alignment with lunar energy makes mugwort a natural companion for those working with dreams, psychic insights, and inner reflection. The moon’s influence over water, tides, and the emotional body is mirrored in mugwort’s ability to soothe the nervous system, while also stimulating intuitive and visionary states.
In many traditions, mugwort is revered for its dream-enhancing qualities, offering a portal into the hidden layers of the mind. This is why it is often used in rituals around the full moon, when intuition and subconscious powers are believed to be at their peak. Its leaves, with their silvery, shimmering underside, also echo the moon’s reflective light, symbolizing its connection to the realms of dreams and intuition.
With its cool, moist qualities, mugwort aligns perfectly with the moon’s soothing, receptive energy, helping to bridge the conscious and subconscious mind, and enhancing the clarity of dream experiences.
Creating a mugwort dream oil is a simple, yet potent way to work with this magical herb. Dream oil can be applied before bed to encourage vivid dreaming or rubbed on the abdomen for digestive support or menstrual cramping. Here’s a straightforward recipe to help you craft your own:
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Use: Rub a small amount of the oil on your temples, third eye, or abdomen before bed to invite dreamwork and relaxation.
Mugwort Tea: Steep a teaspoon of dried mugwort in hot water for 5-10 minutes. This can help calm the nervous system, aid digestion, and may enhance your dreams when taken before bed. Sip the tea while you journal, letting mugwort guide your thoughts and reflections. This simple practice can deepen your connection to your inner wisdom and inspire intuitive insights. Important: Before consuming mugwort, read the safety considerations below.
Smoke Medicine: Bundle mugwort into a smoke wand or loosely burn the leaves. You can also incorporate mugwort into a ritual fire by placing it directly in the flames, allowing its smoke to carry your intentions or prayers. Whether used for cleansing a space or enhancing dreamwork, mugwort’s smoke offers a powerful way to connect with its magic.
Herbal Bath: Add a handful of mugwort to your bath or you could combine the dried leaves in your own custom bath salt blend for a soothing and magical bathing experience that helps relax your body and awaken your intuition.
Mugwort Dream Pillow: Add dried mugwort to a small pouch or sachet and place it under your pillow to invite vivid or intuitive dreams while sleeping.
Mugwort contains a compound called thujone, which can be harmful in large amounts, particularly during pregnancy. While mugwort can be a powerful ally in supporting reproductive health, including regulating periods and relieving menstrual cramps, it should be avoided by anyone who is pregnant or trying to conceive.
Thujone is also not water-soluble, so tinctures or alcohol-based extracts are generally where the risk is highest. People with liver conditions or those taking medications that affect liver function should also use caution when working with mugwort. For most individuals, external use in the form of oils or salves is considered safe, but it’s always wise to consult with a healthcare provider if you have any concerns.
Mugwort is a remarkable plant that holds space at the threshold of dreams, intuition, and healing. Whether you’re exploring the dream world, easing digestive discomfort, or working with reproductive health, mugwort offers profound opportunities to deepen your connection to yourself and the natural world. I encourage you to try making your own mugwort dream oil and discover the magic this plant can bring into your life.
Want to learn more about the rich history and powerful benefits of mugwort? As a member of our Herbal Village, you can access an exclusive webinar with Registered Herbalist and Village Coordinator Megan Kendrick. In this detailed exploration, Megan delves into the mythology, magic, and medicinal uses of mugwort, from reproductive health to dream enhancement.
Join now to deepen your knowledge and discover how mugwort can elevate your herbal practice. Plus, gain access to our growing catalog of webinars, masterclasses, and a comprehensive materia medica designed to support your herbal journey! Click here to learn more.
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