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DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb nor for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Additionally, some of these plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals who have the means to process them properly into appropriate pharmaceuticals. One final note: many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past, but be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.


MUGWORT
aka Beifuss (Ger)
(Artemesia vulgaris)
[ai-ye]
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CAUTION! TOXICITY! Risk if more than 1 oz is taken at one time or if smaller doses taken daily for months. Use for specific occasions only. MUST NOT BE TAKEN BY PREGNANT WOMEN.

PROPAGATION: By seed or division. Self sows readily. Perennial.
NEEDS: Full sun and average soil and water conditions. Drought tolerant.
HARVEST: The plant just as it begins to flower. Cut to within 4" of the ground and dry in an airy, shady place.

USES

MEDICINAL:
Nerve tonic, emmenagogue, appetite enhancer, diuretic, sweat inducer, stimulate digestion and bile flow, uterine stimulant, abortifacient.
Has been used as a nerve tonic in Chinese medicine. Also used as a 'moxa' to stimulate acupuncture points.
Has been used for irregular menses, bronchitis, sciatica, colic, palsy, colds, epilepsy, fevers, diabetes, enteritis, and intestinal worms.
Has been used in therapeutic bath to relieve aches and pains in muscles and joints. (1 oz. each of mugwort, burdock root, comfrey leaf, and sage infused in 1 quart of water and added to bath.)
Has been used in therapeutic foot bath for tired, swollen feet. (2 Tbsp of mugwort per each pint of water - 6 pints required; divide into 2 parts; keep one hot and allow the other to become cool; put feet alternately into each infusion for 5 minutes; dry feet)

CULINARY:
Was once used to flavor tea and beer.

CRAFTS:
Dries well for wreaths and dried arrangements. Used in perfumes, soaps and incense, as well as in moth repellant sachets.

OTHER:
Plant in chicken yards to repel lice.

COMPANION:
Best grown by itself or among other wild things.



©2001 by Ernestina Parziale, CH

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