The medicine (& magic) of mugwort
An herbal ally for menstruation, mood,
mind, digestion + dreams

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If you've heard of mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), I bet the primary action you've heard about it is that it can enhance dreams. 

And mayyyyybe that it has an affinity to bring on menstruation?

But this herb is so much more dynamic than that. 

I've often heard of people adding mugwort to sleep blends (with names like "good night's sleep" or "sleep well")...

and I'm just like,"wait are they talking about the same mugwort as me?"

Because for me, mugwort has been incredibly powerful, and produced such vivid and lucid dreams that I would never ever consider adding it to a calming sleep blend.

It's a FAR cry from passionflower, chamomile or California poppy!

While yes, it has some relaxing nervine and uplifting actions, it's also a strong dream-inducing plant that has potential to create a wakeful dreaming state that's so active someone might not feel rested when they wake up, even if they slept all night. 

For me, I did feel rested, but I started sleeping less and less. 

I don't recommend it for that unless you're intentionally wanting to activate your dream life in some way or another. 

I mean, mugwort was the plant that initiated me into the path of herbal medicine, but in no way was that a gentle process.

Instead I think of mugwort as an aromatic bitter to support enhancing your digestion, a warming circulatory stimulant to your pelvic region to help move stagnation, ease sensation and bring on bleeding "down there," and an herb that supports gentle relaxation and a brighter, clearer mood and mind.

How do you experience mugwort? Any stories to share? 

Listen to learn:

• the basics on mugwort's actions, energetics and uses
• how mugwort was my initiation into the path of plant medicine
• multiple ways of working with mugwort
• why mugwort is an essential herb for your natural contraception apothecary
• cautions around dosing and constituents in mugwort
• some interesting recent research on mugwort's actions

Resources:

• Sign up for the Natural Contraception Waitlist here
• Episode 18: Uterine tonics
• Episode 83: How mugwort prevented a hysterectomy w Andrea Webb
• Episode 89: Return to wholeness in your womb w Robin Rose Bennett
  
  

References

Abiri R, Silva ALM, de Mesquita LSS, de Mesquita JWC, Atabaki N, de Almeida EB Jr, Shaharuddin NA, Malik S. (2018). Towards a better understanding of Artemisia vulgaris: Botany, phytochemistry, pharmacological and biotechnological potential. Food Res Int, 109, 403-415. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2018.03.072

Ekiert H, Pajor J, Klin P, Rzepiela A, Ślesak H, Szopa A. (2020). Significance of Artemisia Vulgaris L. (Common Mugwort) in the history of medicine and its ossible contemporary applications substantiated by phytochemical and pharmacological studies. Molecules, 25(19), 4415. doi: 10.3390/molecules25194415

Deng H, Shen X. The mechanism of moxibustion: ancient theory and modern research. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013, 379291. doi: 10.1155/2013/379291

Pandey J, Bhusal S, Nepali L, Khatri M, Ramdam R, Barakoti H, Giri PM, Pant D, Aryal P, Rokaya RK, Bhandari R. (2021). Anti-inflammatory activity of Artemisia vulgaris leaves, originating from three different altitudes of Nepal. ScientificWorldJournal 2021, 6678059. doi: 10.1155/2021/6678059

Shaik A, Kanhere RS, Cuddapah R, Nelson KS, Vara PR, Sibyala S. (2014). Antifertility activity of Artemisia vulgaris leaves on female Wistar rats. Chin J Nat Med, 12(3):180-5. doi: 10.1016/S1875-5364(14)60030-3




DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.

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• Mountain Rose Herbs (affiliate link - same price as anywhere, I just receive a tiny kickback) 
  
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Learn to track your cycle and listen to your own body wisdom - Track Your Cycle Simply in 3 Easy Steps Guide (click here)  

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