Mugwort

Artemisia vulgaris

Compositae

Collection: The leaves and flowering stalks should be gathered just at blossoming time, which is between July and September.

Part Used: Leaves or root.

Constituents:

• Volatile oil, containing linlool, l, 8-cineole, [[beta]]-thujone, borneol, [[alpha]]- and [[beta]]-pinene, nerol, nerylacetate, linalul acetate, myrcene, vulgarole, [[alpha]]-, [[beta]]- and[[gamma]]-cadinol, cadinenol, muurolol, spathulenol and others

• Vulgarin, a sesquiterpene lactone

• Flavonoids; quercitin -3-rhamnoglucoside and5, 3′-dihydroxy-3, 7, 4′-trimethoxyflavone

• Coumarin derivatives; 7, 8-methylendioxy-9-methoxycoumarin

• Triterpenes such as 3 [[beta]]-hydroxurs-l2-en 27, 28-dionic acid, [[beta]]-amyrin, [[beta]]-sitosterol.
  

Indications: Mugwort can be used wherever a digestive stimulant is called for. It will aid the digestion through the bitter stimulation of the juices whilst also providing a carminative oil. It has a mildly nervine action in aiding depression and easing tension, which appears to be due to the volatile oil, so it is essential that this is not lost in preparation. Mugwort may also be used as an emmenagogue in the aiding of normal menstrual flow.

Combinations: May be used widely where a bitter action is needed.

Preparations & Dosage: Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto l-2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and leave to infuse for l0-l5 minutes in a covered container. This should be drunk three times a day. Mugwort is used as a flavoring in a number of aperitif drinks; a pleasant way to take it! Tincture: take l-4ml of the tincture three times a day.