Often called the “dream herb” or the “witches herb”, mugwort is a sacred herb that has held a special place in ancient healing practices for centuries. Mugwort, or Asteraceae, is a herb in the daisy family that has been revered for its magical properties. It is said that mugwort use can help to improve intuition, protection, activate psychic awareness, dreamwork, astral travel and connection to the unseen realms. It is also connected to divine feminine energy and warding off dark or negative spirits. In ancient times mugwort was referred to as “dream weed” for its dream enhancing abilities.
According to Ancient Greek belief, Artemis Vulgaris, is named after the Greek Goddess Artemis who was the patron of pregnant women, mothers and children. Mugwort was used in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome for the treatment of menstruation and pregnancy related ailments, and because of this it held great importance in the sacred rites devoted to the Goddesses Artemis, Isis and Diana.
The mysterious energetic properties of mugwort have been something that has drawn in many spiritual seekers across the world for centuries – from using it in teas to burning it as incense and using it in bathing rituals.
Let’s explore how mugwort has been used in ancient healing practices and how we can use in our own spiritual practices to enhance our intuition, gain clarity and connection to the divine.
Just a gentle reminder that plant medicine is not “one size fits all“. Mugwort is not recommended for pregnant women as it may cause uterine contractions. It is also not recommended for those who are allergic to the daisy family. Long term use may result in neurotoxicity effects due to the build up of certain compounds in the body.
Mugwort and Dream Magic
Mugwort is often called the “dream herb” and has been known as one of the most magical herbs in witchcraft, folklore and traditional herbalism. It is believed to gently open the doorway to the unseen worlds, allowing for messages and knowledge to be revealed through experiences in the dream space. Many people experience more vivid dreams, increased dream recall, increased symbolism, lucid dreaming and a heightened intuition upon waking. Mugwort has also been used in the spiritual practices of those intending to open the third eye chakra.
Some research shows that Mugwort may increase dream recall by slightly increasing the brain’s alertness during sleep, and subtly altering sleep transitions.
Mugwort contains the compound α-Thujone which acts as an antagonist for the GABA-A receptor. GABA is the brain’s primary calming neurotransmitter, promoting relaxation, reducing anxiety and neuronal excitability. This means that rather than providing a relaxing effect, α-Thujone could actually be temporarily making certain neurons slightly more excitable. GABA antagonism could make REM dreams feel more vivid, increase waking briefly during dream and improve dream recall (Khan et al., 2016).
At high doses, GABA antagonism could lead to tremors, seizures, restlessness and nervousness. The occasional herbal use of mugwort are subtle, but should be used with caution.
Medicinal Properties of Mugwort
Mugwort has been used across Europe, Asia, Africa and North and South America for many centuries for its medicinal uses (as well as it’s magical uses). For many centuries it was used to treat gastrointestinal diseases and gynaecological ailments.
Recent research shows that the common mugwort (Artemis Vulgaris L.) exhibits many medicinal properties including antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, hypotensive, broncholytic, estrogenic, hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective effects (Ekiert et al., 2020).
The health benefits of mugwort can be attributed to the presence of essential oils, flavonoids and sesquiterpenoids lactones and the biological activities that are associated with them.
In ancient times, mugwort was used for diseases related to the urinary system such as dysprosium and nephrolithiasis. It was also used to treat many gastrointestinal diseases such as diarrhoea, intestinal colic and stomach pain.
It was considered the “mother of herbs” and was considered a foundational herb upon which many herbal practices were built.
How to Work With Mugwort
As with everything in life, balance is key. The occasional use of mugwort can provide some well known benefits and open a doorway into the unseen realms. It is considered safe for most healthy adults, but I do recommend that you take breaks of a few weeks to avoid the build up of compounds such as α-Thujone in the body.
Over consumption of α-Thujone over long periods or in high concentrations, such as in essential oils, may build up in the body and lead to neurotoxic effects such as tremors and seizures. Less can be more sometimes! Our bodies are beautiful, infinitely wise vessels that are capable of allowing magic in without the need for external support. Working with plants is a beautiful blessing and tool to help us along our journey, but also trust in your own abilities to tap into the dreamscapes and unseen worlds that you are seeking.
Mugwort is most commonly taken as a tea, but can also be burnt as incense or in smudge sticks, seeped in the bath, smoked or put under the pillow.
How to make mugwort tea
- Seep 1 to 3 tablespoons in one cup of boiling water
- Let the tea seep for 10 to 15 minutes, ensuring that you cover the cup to avoid the volatile oils from evapourating.
- Drink the tea 30 to 60 minutes before bed for the best results. As you are drinking the mugwort tea, set your intentions and take the time to connect with the plant medicine and what you hope to experience in the connection with the plants. We are all infinitely connected in this interwoven natural world. What a blessing to experience their magic in this way!
A Gentle Note on Working with Mugwort
While mugwort has a long history of traditional use in herbalism and dream work, it’s important to remember that herbs are biologically active plants and can affect people differently.
Mugwort may not be suitable for everyone. Those who are pregnant or trying to conceive should avoid mugwort, as it has traditionally been associated with stimulating the uterus. Individuals with allergies to plants in the daisy (Asteraceae) family may also experience allergic reactions.
If you have a medical condition, take prescription medications, or are unsure whether mugwort is appropriate for you, consult a qualified healthcare professional before using it.
When exploring any herb, less is often more. Start slowly, pay attention to how your body responds, and remember that the most meaningful experiences often come from consistency and intention rather than large amounts. This article is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.
References
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 possible contemporary applications substantiated by phytochemical and pharmacological studies. Molecules, 25(19), 4415. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25194415
Khan, I., Karim, N., Ahmad, W., Abdelhalim, A., & Chebib, M. (2016). GABA‐A Receptor Modulation and Anticonvulsant, Anxiolytic, and Antidepressant Activities of Constituents from Artemisia indica Linn. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2016(1), 1215393. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/1215393