Shaman Herbs "Mugwort"

Over the next few months I’m going to present articles on different Shaman herbs. I will share with you their properties and how I use them. These Herbs are my favorites for rituals and journeying.

Mugwort is my favorite of all the plants I want to share with you. I grow it in my garden (it's very easy to grow and a perennial) with foxgloves and wild roses.

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) is in the same family as Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium). It is quite bitter and cleansing to the body both physically and spiritually. The parts used are its leaves. It grows well in most soil conditions. Mugwort grows from 1 to 5 feet tall with alternate, coarsely toothed, pinnate leaves. The leaves are a rich green on top with the down beneath.

Physically, tea of the Mugwort can be drunk for colds and flu. It cleanses the liver and spleen therefore making it an excellent herb for cleansing the blood and body of toxins. Use in combination with Dandelion and Oregon Grape.

It has a calming effect on the nervous system and works well for nervousness and insomnia.

Mugwort has an emmenagogic effect on the body and can be used with Crampbark, Chasteberry, and Cohosh for cramping during menses and to bring on menses. This being said Mugwort should not be used when pregnant or when wants to become pregnant.

Spiritually, Mugwort is used for purification and cleansing. Add some leaves to a ritual bath or when you want to relax after a long day. Burn some dried leaves as an alternative to Sage when cleansing a room.

It also increases clairvoyance, spiritual awareness and helps open one up to the spirit world. Scott Cunningham recommends rubbing crystal balls and scying mirrors with fresh leaves to increase their power. I use the leaves to cleanse my crystals. I love having Mugwort in my garden. It grows beautifully and drips with moon magic. I like to break a leaf off and chew it fresh. This is a good way to get to know this plant (and all plants). The first time I did this it tasted very bitter with just a hint of juicy sweetness. It was astringent and my mouth filled with saliva. I felt cleaner inside and out after eating one leaf. As I sat with this plant I felt the presence of a strong womanly power. The power of the Moon.

Mugwort falls under the sign of Venus according to Culpeper (a 17th century physician/astrologer). To me it's always held the power of the Moon.

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