Herbs
Mugwort[]
Mugwort or Artemisia vulgaris is a common herb. There are several different species in the Artemisia genus such as Chinese Mugwort, Alpine Mugwort, and Hoary Mugwort. The Chumash Indians of North America have used mugwort in their healing and ritual practices, by according to some for 13,000 years, where it is known as the ‘dream sage’. They used the herb to promote and activate the dream world. Mugwort can be prepared as a tea, by inserting one teaspoon of plant material (roots, leaves, flowers, and/or stems) in a tea bag, and placing it in a cup of hot water. Some of have reported falling asleep within a half-hour.
- Other historical uses
- Anglo-Saxon tribes believed that this aromatic was one of the nine sacred herbs given to the world by the god Woden.
- Mugwort was a popular ingredient in Gruit – used for flavouring beer before hops became popular!
- The Romans planted mugwort by roadsides where it would be available to passers by to put in their shoes for the relief of aching feet.
- The Ainus of Japan burn bunches of mugwort to exorcise the spirits of disease, who are thought to detest the aroma.
- In China, bunches of mugwort are hung in the home during the Dragon Festival to keep away evil spirits.
- The Chinese also use mugwort to make “moxa sticks.”. These sticks are then burned directly onto the skin in a therapeutic technique called moxabustion – basically a form of acupuncture without the needles.