Mugwort (Invasive Plants of Pittsburgh)

Mugwort

Artemisia vulgaris

Summary ⁶

Artemisia vulgaris (mugwort or common wormwood) is one of several species in the genus Artemisia which have common names that include the word mugwort. This species is also occasionally known as Felon Herb, Chrysanthemum Weed, Wild Wormwood, Old uncle Henry, Sailor's Tobacco, Naughty Man, Old Man or St. John's Plant (not to be confused with St John's wort).

Uses ⁷

The plant was originally brought from Asia as an ornamental (Collins 2000). It is sometimes grown for personal use, especially as an alternative medicinal plant. The fresh roots and flowers of Artemisia vulgaris are usually steeped as a tea to help ease the symptoms of cancer, epilepsy, to dispel parasitic worms, as an antiseptic, to aid digestion, to promote sweating, to promote menstruation and/or abortion, to ease congestion of the chest/throat, to improve nervous system function, to ease muscle spasms, as an antidote to opium, and to treat asthma (Duke 1985). Additionally, it is burned to ward off mosquitoes, and is said to cause divinational dreams and clairvoyance when a person sleeps breathing in a pillow filled with the fresh plant. Additionally, it is used as an indicator of pollution because it can grow in soil that is contaminated with heavy metals when more susceptible species cannot (Kovács et. al 1992).