Mugwort of the genus Artemesia

a couple laying on the terrace's chairs smiling at each other

Mugwort of the genus Artemesia

Last week I took a walk along the irrigation ditch that runs along the upper border of our property. There was so much mugwort growing – I decided to harvest a heap with the intention of making dream pillows for our upcoming boutique. It has been said that if you put a small amount of mugwort under your pillow you will have vivid dreams. I decided to string up the mugwort and hang it on either side of the bed just to see what the effects would be.

Mugwort in the wild
Mugwort in the wild

Mugwort is an impressive plant. It has been used medicinally in many cultures for centuries. In Europe it was hung in doorways to ward off unwelcomed spirits, it was placed under pillows to induce lucid and prophetic dreams, and it was ingested as a tea to ease menstrual cramps and treat stomach and intestinal disorders. In Chinese medicine dried mugwort is used with heat in the form of moxibustion to move stagnant chi. Mugwort has been used to treat anxiety, depression, insomnia and irritability. Smoking mugwort has been used as a harm reduction tool to overcome opium addiction, and in more recent years it has been used as a substitute for marijuana or tobacco. The tales of its use over time go on and on – mugwort is truly a remarkable plant.

Mugwort is a member of the Artemesia genus and is native to Asia and Europe but can now be found all over the world. It has certainly impressed me with its presence at Reverie – the smell is quite soothing, and there is something very grounding about being surrounded by a plant that has such a rich history in medicine. I look forward to sharing this plant with you…

 

 

Liz

 

 

2 thoughts on “Mugwort of the genus Artemesia”

  1. I used to have a mugwort pillow but have no idea what happened to it in the move. I would love one from Reverie if you start selling them!!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sign Up For Our Newsletter