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Common Mugwort

Artemisia vulgaris

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
For more information please download the BSBI Code of Conduct PDF document.

Plant Profile
Similar Species
Other Information
Distribution Map

Flowering Months:

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Order:

Asterales

Family:

Asteraceae (Daisy)

Also in this family:

Alpine Blue Sow-thistle, Alpine Cotula, Alpine Fleabane, Alpine Saw-wort, Annual Ragweed, Annual Sunflower, Argentine Fleabane, Autumn Hawkbit, Autumn Oxeye, Beaked Hawksbeard, Beggarticks, Bilbao Fleabane, Black Knapweed, Black-eyed Susan, Blanketflower, Blue Fleabane, Blue Globe-thistle, Bristly Oxtongue, Broad-leaved Cudweed, Broad-leaved Ragwort, Brown Knapweed, Butterbur, Buttonweed, Cabbage Thistle, Canadian Fleabane, Canadian Goldenrod, Carline Thistle, Chalk Knapweed, Chamois Ragwort, Changing Michaelmas Daisy, Chicory, Chinese Mugwort, Chinese Ragwort, Coltsfoot, Common Blue Sow-thistle, Common Cat's-ear, Common Cudweed, Common Daisy, Common Dandelion, Common Fleabane, Common Goldenrod, Common Groundsel, Common Michaelmas Daisy, Common Ragwort, Common Wormwood, Coneflower, Confused Michaelmas Daisy, Corn Chamomile, Corn Marigold, Cornflower, Cotton Thistle, Cottonweed, Creeping Thistle, Daisy Bush, Dwarf Cudweed, Dwarf Thistle, Early Goldenrod, Eastern Groundsel, Eastern Leopardsbane, Elecampane, English Hawkweed, Fen Ragwort, Feverfew, Field Fleawort, Field Wormwood, Fox and Cubs, French Tarragon, Gallant Soldier, Garden Lettuce, Giant Butterbur, Glabrous-headed Hawkweed, Glandular Globe-thistle, Glaucous Michaelmas Daisy, Globe Artichoke, Globe-thistle, Goat's Beard, Golden Ragwort, Golden Samphire, Goldilocks Aster, Grass-leaved Goldenrod, Great Lettuce, Greater Burdock, Greater Knapweed, Grey-headed Hawkweed, Guernsey Fleabane, Hairless Blue Sow-thistle, Hairless Leptinella, Hairy Michaelmas Daisy, Harpur Crewe's Leopardsbane, Hawkweed Oxtongue, Heath Cudweed, Heath Groundsel, Hemp Agrimony, Highland Cudweed, Hoary Mugwort, Hoary Ragwort, Hybrid Knapweed, Intermediate Burdock, Irish Fleabane, Jersey Cudweed, Jerusalem Artichoke, Lance-leaved Hawkweed, Lavender-cotton, Leafless Hawksbeard, Least Lettuce, Leopardplant, Leopardsbane, Leptinella, Lesser Burdock, Lesser Hawkbit, Lesser Sunflower, London Bur-marigold, Magellan Ragwort, Marsh Cudweed, Marsh Hawksbeard, Marsh Ragwort, Marsh Sow-thistle, Marsh Thistle, Meadow Thistle, Melancholy Thistle, Mexican Fleabane, Milk Thistle, Mountain Everlasting, Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Musk Thistle, Narrow-leaved Cudweed, Narrow-leaved Hawkweed, Narrow-leaved Michaelmas Daisy, Narrow-leaved Ragwort, New England Hawkweed, New Zealand Holly, Nipplewort, Nodding Bur-marigold, Northern Hawksbeard, Norwegian Mugwort, Oxeye Daisy, Oxford Ragwort, Pearly Everlasting, Perennial Cornflower, Perennial Ragweed, Perennial Sow-thistle, Perennial Sunflower, Pineapple Mayweed, Plantain-leaved Leopardsbane, Ploughman's Spikenard, Plymouth Thistle, Pontic Blue Sow-thistle, Pot Marigold, Prickly Lettuce, Prickly Sow-thistle, Purple Coltsfoot, Rayed Tansy, Red Star Thistle, Red-seeded Dandelion, Red-tipped Cudweed, Robin's Plantain, Roman Chamomile, Rough Cocklebur, Rough Hawkbit, Rough Hawksbeard, Russian Lettuce, Safflower, Salsify, Saw-wort, Scented Mayweed, Scentless Mayweed, Sea Aster, Sea Mayweed, Sea Wormwood, Seaside Daisy, Shaggy Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Shaggy Soldier, Shasta Daisy, Shetland Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Shrub Ragwort, Sicilian Chamomile, Silver Ragwort, Slender Mugwort, Slender Thistle, Small Cudweed, Small Fleabane, Smooth Cat's-ear, Smooth Hawksbeard, Smooth Sow-thistle, Sneezeweed, Sneezewort, Spear Thistle, Spotted Cat's-ear, Spotted Hawkweed, Sticky Groundsel, Stinking Chamomile, Stinking Hawksbeard, Tall Fleabane, Tall Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Tansy, Thin-leaved Sunflower, Treasureflower, Trifid Bur-marigold, Tuberous Thistle, Tyneside Leopardplant, Viper's Grass, Wall Lettuce, Welsh Groundsel, Welted Thistle, White African Daisy, White Butterbur, White Buttons, Willdenow's Leopardsbane, Winter Heliotrope, Wood Burdock, Wood Ragwort, Woody Fleabane, Woolly Thistle, Yarrow, Yellow Chamomile, Yellow Fox and Cubs, Yellow Oxeye, Yellow Star Thistle, Yellow Thistle, York Groundsel

Type:

Flower

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Maximum Size:

180 centimetres tall

Habitats:

Disturbed ground, fields, grassland, hedgerows, meadows, roadsides, woodland.

Flower:

✿

Brown, no petals

Common Mugwort produces clusters of small, reddish or pale yellow-green florets from July to September. These tiny, tubular flowers grow in dense, branched spikes or panicles near the tops of the stems. Although not especially showy, the flowers attract a variety of insects. Each floret is surrounded by purplish bracts, giving the overall flower head a slightly reddish-brown appearance when viewed closely.

Fruit:

The fruit of Mugwort is a small, dry, single-seeded achene, typically less than 1 mm long. It lacks any significant wings or dispersal mechanisms, relying mostly on gravity or animals brushing past to aid seed spread. The fruits are inconspicuous and develop quickly after flowering, maturing in late summer to early autumn.

Leaves:

The leaves are one of Mugwort’s most distinctive features. They are deeply lobed, dark green on the upper surface, and covered with fine silvery-white hairs underneath, giving them a two-tone appearance. Leaves near the base are larger and more divided, while those higher up the stem are narrower and less lobed. The stems are often reddish or purplish and can grow quite tall—sometimes over 1.5 metres—especially in nutrient-rich soils.

Fragrance:

Mugwort is strongly aromatic. Crushing the leaves releases a warm, resinous scent, sometimes described as sage-like or slightly camphoraceous. This fragrance intensifies in warm weather or when the leaves are dried. Its distinctive scent contributes to its historical use as a smudging herb and in moth-repelling sachets.

Other Names:

Armoise, Carline Thistle, Chrysanthemum Weed, Common Wormwood, Cronewort, Douglas Mugwort, Felon Herb, Moxa, Muggons, Old Man, Old Uncle Henry, Sailor's Tobacco, St John's Plant, Wild Wormwood.

Frequency (UK):

Common

Chinese Mugwort

Annual Ragweed

Common Wormwood

Summary

Artemisia vulgaris, also known as common mugwort, is a perennial herb that is native to Europe, Asia and North Africa. It is a member of the Asteraceae family and can grow up to 6 feet tall. It has small, yellow-green flowers that bloom in the late summer and fall, and it has a strong, pungent aroma. The leaves are green and feathery, and the plant has a woody stem. A. vulgaris is considered a weed, and it can be found in waste ground, roadsides, and along paths. It is also used in traditional medicine and as a culinary herb, particularly in Asia. It is also used as a fragrance in soaps, cosmetics and perfumes.

Blog

Common Mugwort, also known as Artemisia vulgaris, is a perennial herb that belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is a common sight in many regions of the world, including Europe, Asia, and North America. The plant can grow up to six feet tall and has long, dark green leaves that are divided into small segments.

Mugwort has a long history of use in traditional medicine and is considered to have many health benefits. For centuries, it has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including digestive problems, menstrual cramps, and respiratory issues. The plant is also used in traditional Chinese medicine and is known as ai ye.

One of the most popular uses of Mugwort is as a natural insect repellent. The plant's strong aroma is said to repel mosquitoes, flies, and other insects, making it a popular choice for outdoor enthusiasts. Additionally, the plant is often used in aromatherapy as a natural way to promote relaxation and reduce stress.

Mugwort is also believed to have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce pain and swelling in the body. This makes it a popular choice for treating conditions like arthritis, muscle pain, and headaches. In addition, Mugwort is often used to treat digestive issues like bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.

Another benefit of Mugwort is its ability to stimulate the production of gastric juices and bile, which can aid in digestion. This can be especially helpful for people who suffer from digestive problems like acid reflux, heartburn, and indigestion.

In addition to its health benefits, Mugwort is also a popular culinary herb. It is often used to flavor dishes like fish, poultry, and soups, and is also used in the production of certain alcoholic beverages like absinthe and vermouth.

However, it is important to note that Mugwort can be toxic if consumed in large quantities, so it is important to use caution when using the herb. Pregnant women and people with allergies to plants in the Asteraceae family should avoid using Mugwort.

Mugwort has also been used for centuries as a natural way to induce lucid dreaming. This is because the plant contains compounds that can enhance the clarity and vividness of dreams. To use Mugwort for this purpose, some people will place a few leaves under their pillow or burn dried Mugwort as incense before bed.

Additionally, Mugwort has been used as a natural remedy for menstrual cramps and irregular periods. This is because the plant contains compounds that can help to regulate hormones and ease pain associated with menstruation.

In traditional Chinese medicine, Mugwort is often used in combination with other herbs to treat a variety of conditions. For example, it may be used to treat conditions like insomnia, depression, and anxiety.

Mugwort is also a popular herb in Korean cuisine and is often used in dishes like ssukguk, a soup made with Mugwort and beef or pork. In Japan, Mugwort is used to make mochi, a traditional rice cake.

In addition to its medicinal uses, Mugwort has a long history of use in folklore and mythology. In some cultures, the plant is believed to have protective properties and is used to ward off evil spirits. In others, it is associated with magic and is said to have the power to enhance psychic abilities.

Mugwort is a versatile and fascinating herb with a rich history and many health benefits. Whether you are interested in using it for culinary, medicinal, or spiritual purposes, it is a plant that is definitely worth learning more about. Just be sure to use caution and consult with a healthcare professional before using Mugwort for any medicinal purposes.

Mugwort is also used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat digestive issues like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is believed to work by stimulating the production of digestive enzymes and promoting the movement of food through the digestive tract.

In some cultures, Mugwort is also used as a natural way to stimulate the menstrual cycle and induce labor in pregnant women. However, it is important to note that these uses of Mugwort should only be undertaken under the supervision of a healthcare professional, as the plant can be toxic in high doses and may have negative effects on pregnancy.

Mugwort is also a popular herb in the practice of aromatherapy. The plant's strong aroma is believed to have a calming and grounding effect on the mind and body. It is often used in essential oil blends, massage oils, and bath products to promote relaxation and reduce stress.

In addition to its medicinal and aromatherapy uses, Mugwort has also been used in traditional textile dyeing. The plant produces a rich yellow-green color that has been used to dye wool, cotton, and other fibers.

Mugwort is also used in some cultures as a natural way to repel evil spirits and negative energy. In some traditional practices, it is used in smudging rituals or burned as incense to cleanse spaces and promote positive energy.

In addition to its medicinal and spiritual uses, Mugwort is also a valuable plant in the field of agriculture. It is believed to have insecticidal properties and can be used to repel pests from crops without the need for harmful chemicals. It is also believed to have allelopathic properties, meaning that it can release chemicals that inhibit the growth of other plants around it.

Mugwort is also a popular plant in the practice of permaculture. It is considered to be a dynamic accumulator, meaning that it can accumulate nutrients from the soil and make them available to other plants in the surrounding area. Additionally, Mugwort has a deep taproot that can help to break up compacted soil and improve soil health.

In conclusion, Mugwort is a versatile and valuable plant that has a wide range of applications in various fields. Whether you are interested in using it for its medicinal properties, its spiritual significance, or its agricultural benefits, it is a plant that is definitely worth exploring further. However, it should always be used with caution and under the guidance of a healthcare professional or experienced practitioner.

A few facts about Common Mugwort

Facts about Common Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris):

Common Mugwort is a perennial plant native to Europe and Asia, but has now been introduced to North America and other parts of the world.
The plant has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for a variety of purposes, including treating digestive issues, menstrual cramps, and insomnia.
Mugwort is also used in aromatherapy, textile dyeing, and in some cultures, as a natural way to repel negative energy.
The plant has insecticidal and allelopathic properties, making it a valuable addition to agriculture and permaculture practices.
Mugwort should always be used with caution and under the guidance of a healthcare professional or experienced practitioner.

Common Mugwort is a versatile and valuable plant that has a long history of use in traditional medicine, culinary traditions, folklore, and more. It has many potential health benefits, including treating digestive issues and menstrual cramps, inducing lucid dreaming, and reducing stress. Additionally, Mugwort has spiritual significance in some cultures and can be used to repel negative energy. It is also a valuable plant in the fields of agriculture and permaculture. However, it should always be used with caution and under the guidance of a healthcare professional or experienced practitioner.