Mugwort, Artemisia vulgaris, in Asteraceae, has many gifts to offer. Their leaves have a unique aromatic scent which I appreciate but bugs do not. You can make smudge bundles from them. In the burning of bundles, they can act as an insect repellent along with a cleansing scent. Consider making your own Mugwort sacred smoke/smudge bundles in place of buying White Sage, which has been over-harvested and culturally appropriated from Indigenous communities. You can also hang bunches in your cupboards to keep pests away. When I am infusing sweet foods such as Rugosa Rose Honey, I lay Mugwort sprigs all around the jars to keep ants away. Yes, it really works! 

Mugwort tea serves as a nervine, diuretic, and digestive aid. I am not sure having to pee more (diuretic) helps calm one’s nerves (nervine) but yes, in general if you are experiencing stress, Mugwort is a good friend to know. Mugwort tea can also be used as an emmenagogue, which means it helps a person with a womb bring on their period. 

Before hops became popular in flavoring beer, Mugwort was used. Leaves are very flavorful and fun to add chopped in salads and stir-fries. They are also bitter, so you have to like bitters. Get used to eating bitters – they help with digestion. Plants tend to grow up to 3-6’ tall but I have several in my yard who are topping at 9′! Leaves are green on top and silvery underneath, deeply divided, and possessing smaller lobes at the base of each leaf. Leaves at the base of the stiff stalks are more widely-lobed. Mugwort starts going to seed in later August and September. You can eat the seeds raw. And if you don’t harvest your seeds you will have many more plants next year. Heralding from Europe and Asia, this flora is considered invasive, though I don’t find them aggressively so. 

Magically, Mugwort is used for protection – which makes sense given you can also use the plant to ward off insect pests so why not use ki energetically to ward off other pests, such as unwanted advances from someone. “Stay back, tox-ex!” Mugwort also possesses magical properties in strength, healing, and psychic powers. Make a sachet filled with Mugwort to remind you that you are strong when you are feeling nervous or afraid. Make a tea and rub on your tools (magical or mundane) to strengthen them. Drink the tea for clairvoyance and strengthening the power of your mind. I recommend adding honey to sweeten the deal because as a tea Mugwort is quite bitter. Remember a spell is just a prayer with “feet,” meaning, you are anchoring your prayers in a physical object or activity to help create a healthier habit for yourself. If you sleep with Mugwort under your pillow you may experience prophetic dreams. So dream, baby, dream, asking Mugwort to help you make your dreams come true. 

Gluten-Free Mugwort Tea Cake
This was an experiment I created last spring that I thoroughly enjoyed. If you like playing with food and have fun experimenting with taste sensations, try this recipe. Though I used baby Mugwort leaves in May, you can make this cake in the fall using top leaves and flowers and seeds.

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 2 handful of mugwort
• 5 Tbs walnut oil + 2 to melt in dish
• 3 Tbs ghee
• 3 Tbs rose honey
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1 cup gluten-free all purpose flour
• 2 Tbs coconut flour (or can use 2 more gf flour if don’t have)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 heaping Tbs raw cacao
• 2 Tbs rose elixir (alcohol based)

Directions:

• Chop mugwort then blend with oil, ghee, and honey in food processor. Add brown sugar and blend.
• Beat eggs. Add creamed mixture from food processor. Add flour and baking powder and stir until all mixed well.
• Melt 2 Tbs coconut oil in 9 round glass baking dish. When melted, pack batter into baking dish.
• Bake at 350 for 45min. Test with knife; should come out clean when fully cooked.
• Remove from oven. Cool to touch, then pour on glaze.

Mugwort Glaze
Save 1 heaping Tbs of mugwort mixture and place in small pot. Add 3 Tbs maple ghee & 2 Tbs rose honey and heat until melted. Pour on cooling cake. 

Mugwort Smudge Bundle
Smudges are employed spiritually as a cleansing agent. Cultures from around the world use sacred smoke to purify a space and body. Gather whole aerial parts of the plant and, depending on how long and thick you want to make your bundle, fold the stalk at least twice and then gently wrap with thread. Do not make too tight. You can also add other herbs to the bundle such as Garden Sage, Goldenrod, and Lavender. Hang to dry. When burning dried bundle, have a plate or bowl to catch any ashes. 

Reference for magical uses of Mugwort:
The beloved (and late) Scott Cunningham’s magical herbs books. When I was just a young Witch of 14, his books were so accessible and nurturing. 

Arianna Alexsandra Collins, naturalist educator, poet, writer, wild edible enthusiast, and Wiccan High Priestess.

The information in this blog appears in Ashfield Spice & Herb Club’s September 2025 zine on Mugwort.

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