Artemisia vulgaris aka common mugwort

Cut and Sifted—available in 1 ounce or 1/2 ounce and packaged in a plastic pouch.

For millennia, mugwort has been a source for flavoring beverages and food and has also been used for its beneficial properties. There is much traditional folklore surrounding the plant and it has been reported to encourage dreaming. Artemisia vulgaris is an aromatic plant that grows along creek banks and waysides. This member of the Asteraceae family is known for the silvery shine underneath its leaves. Mugwort herb is commonly brewed into mugwort tea and can also be used as incense, incorporated into dream pillows, and infused into botanical vinegars.

Fresh, crushed mugwort leaves applied to the skin relieves burning, itching and pain and, with continued application, can help get rid of warts.

Mugwort has also been used in Europe to induce abortions. It helps strengthen contractions and it is used in a compress to promote labor and help expel the afterbirth. It is also used to help regulate the menstrual cycle and ease painful menstruation and the onset of menopause. Use in combination with ginger in a tea to soothe difficult menstruation.

Infusion – 1 ounce dried herb to 1 pint boiling water. 5-10 minutes. Do not make steep for too long or it will become intolerably bitter.

Tincture- Cover four ounces of fresh herb with 1 pint 100 proof alcohol, vodka, gin or brandy. Cover and keep in a dark place, shaking several times per day for two weeks.

History + Folklore

Mugwort is a common plant in the British Isles; its angular, purple stalks growing more than three feet in height. It bears dark green leaves with cottony down undersides. Mugwort is said to have derived its name from having been used to flavor beer before the wide use of hops. The botanical name is derived from Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt, fertility, and the forests and hills. Roman soldiers were known to put mugwort in their sandals to keep their feet from getting tired. Native Americans equate mugwort with witchcraft. They believed that the rubbing of the leaves on the body are said to keep ghosts away, and a necklace of mugwort leaves is said to help protect against dreaming about the dead. It has been believed that John the Baptist wore a girdle of mugwort in the wilderness for protection. Other magical attributes include protection for road weary travelers, and general protection against the evils of the spirit realms.

Magickal

Strength, Psychic Powers, Divination, Protection, Prophetic Dreams, Healing, Astral Projection

Feminine, Venus, Earth

Deities: Artemis, Diana

Mugwort can be used as a sacred smoking herb or burned as a fumigant for protection or divination. It is safe to smoke (as safe as smoking anything is) by itself, mixed with tobacco, or other smokeables in a ritual context and is said to enhance astral projection, lucid dreaming and other altered states of consciousness. Some say that simply keeping mugwort under your pillow or in your bedroom will encourage prophetic dreams. Try making a dream pillow stuffed with mugwort. If you do keep it in your bedroom, remember that it is closely related to ragweed and the flowers may trigger some allergies.

Others say you must burn it or smoke it in order to utilize its conscious-altering effects. Burn mugwort in an incense burner as you use divination tools to help open your mind to any messages coming in.

A garland or girdle of mugwort can be worn while dancing around the midsummer balefire and thrown into the fire at the end of the night to ensure protection throughout the year.

Warnings: See Below

Mugwort is considered a noxious weed in some of the United States. Check with your State’s laws before planting as some carry heavy fines for planting certain plants.

Mugwort should never be used internally during pregnancy or lactation or by anyone who has pelvic inflammatory issues as it can cause uterine contractions and can be passed through the mother’s milk.

Mugwort should not be used for more than one week continuously. Continued, habitual use of mugwort can cause nervous problems, liver damage, and convulsions.

Mugwort flower pollen can trigger hay fever attacks in sensitive people. Some people have topical allergies to mugwort. Test some on your skin before using.

Matricaria recutita

Whole Flowers—available in 1 ounce or 1/2 ounce and packaged in a plastic pouch.

Chamomile is a gentle herb known throughout most of the world which has been used continually for many centuries. It is often ingested as a tea for calming purposes and to soothe the digestive tract and is mild enough to be administered to babies. Chamomile is soothing to the skin and is often found in lotions and hair products.

Chamomile is commonly used as a tea for calming down or reducing stress.

It is also a gentle muscle relaxant, anti-spasmodic, and anti-inflammatory. It can be used, especially in combination with similar herbs, to soothe problems associated with muscle cramps and spasms. Especially useful for menstrual cramps. Drink two or three cups of tea per day.

Best to steep with boiling water for 6+ minutes to get the full affect. Pairs well with milk and honey.

History + Folklore

The word Chamomile comes from the Greek meaning “ground apple”, probably because of its apple-like fragrance.

The Romans used Chamomile for incense. Roman Chamomile gained its name, not from ancient Rome, but because a 19th century plant collector found some growing on the ruins of the coliseum in Rome.

Chamomile was used in ancient Egypt for fevers and was dedicated to their Sun God Ra.

To the Anglo Saxons, it was one of the nine herbs charm.

Magickal

Money, Peace, Love, Purification

Sun, Leo, Water

An infusion used to wash thresholds (doors and windows) will help keep unwanted energies or entities from passing through. Sprinkle powdered chamomile flowers around your self or home to remove spells cast against you and to prevent fires and lightning strikes. You may also use herbal water if you prefer.

Use it in a ritual bath before performing spells for any of these purposes. Just a simple chamomile bath while visualizing will increase your attractiveness to the opposite sex. Also, use it in a bath as part of a spell to release a loved one, or to release feelings of pain, loss or anger.

Washing your hands in chamomile water before gambling will increase your luck.

Add to sachets for luck or money. Or place pressed chamomile flowers in your wallet to attract money to it.