MUGWORT
Artemisia vulgaris
COMMON NAMES: Mugwort, felon herb.
FEATURES: Mugwort grows wild in North America in hedges and waste places. A slender to moderately
stout herb 1–5 feet tall; the leaves are alternate, with 5–7 lobes, silvery white beneath, nearly smooth
above. Flowers are small, ovoid, yellow to purplish, in numerous clusters from July to August. Odor
aromatic, leaves slightly bitter.
MEDICINAL PART: Leaves.
SOLVENT: Boiling water.
BODILY INFLUENCE: Emmenagogue, diuretic, diaphoretic.
USES: Native Americans used the leaves medicinally in decoctions for colds, colic, bronchitis,
rheumatism, and fever. Safe for suppressed menstruation, also effective in female complaints of various
nature when combined with marigold (Calendula), crampbark (Viburnum opulus), black haw (Viburnum
prunifolium), and mint (Mentha). Of importance in kidney and bladder inflammations and their many
reflected ailments, gout, sciatica, water retention, etc. Culpeper used the herb for counteraction of opium.
CAUTION: Prolonged use can cause injury to the nervous system.
DOSE: 1 teaspoonful to 1 cupful of boiling water, steeped for 20 minutes. To be taken in wineglassful
amounts.
EXTERNALLY: After using a poultice of slippery elm (Ulmus rubra), cleavers, and bear’s foot
(Helleborus foetidus), bathe the inflammatory swelling with a strong tea of mugwort. Some cases of
tumors have been known to disappear, as well as abscesses, carbuncles, and bruises, if repeated
faithfully. Culpeper states: “The fresh juice mixed with hog’s grease and whipped into an ointment takes
away wens and hard kernals that grow about the neck and throat, and eases the pain, more effective if
field daisies be up with it.” The Native Americans also used it externally for wounds, and the juice was
used for poison oak.