Artemisia vulgaris, Mugwort

Damanka (Ayurveda)
Birenjafif (Unani)
Khan nag འཁན་ནག་ (Tibet)

Artemisia argyi, Chinese Mugwort, Ai Ye 艾叶

Ai Ye (TCM)

Herbarius latinus, Petri, 1485

Ortus sanitatis, Cube, Johann von, 1501

Artemisia (Dioscorides Materia Medica, Mathias, 1563)

Flora von Deutschland (29), Kohler, 1887

Uses:

1. Warms the Womb, Stops Bleeding, Promotes Menstruation: (TCM, West)

-Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea, associated with Cold or Blood stagnation (West)
-Uterine Bleeding, prolonged Menstruation associated with Coldness of the Womb. (TCM)
-Infertility (TCM, West)
-Labor Pains, Restless Fetus (TCM, West)
-promotes Birth and Afterbirth (West)
-the effect in stopping Bleeding was used for Trauma in the West
-internally, and externally in Baths and Douches etc.
-“Decocted in wine and drunk for difficult labor”. (Dorsetn, 1540)
-“If any woman has a dead fetus in the womb, let her drink a decoction of this herb, and she will be gently delivered”. (Dorsetn, 1540)
-“The root of this herb, when crushed, is so powerfully laxative and purgative, that it expels the live or dead foetus from the womb of a woman”. (Dorsetn, 1540)

2. Clears Wind-Damp, Calms Spasms: (West)

-Epilepsy, Shaking, Tremors; “Mugwort cures shaking of the joints inclining to Palsy” (Gerard)
-Sciatica, Back Pain, Arthritis; some termed it specific for Sciatica
-‘Three drams of the powder of the dried leaves taken in wine, is a speedy and the best certain help for the Sciatica’ (Culpeper)
-nervous and spasmodic complaints (India, West)
-to cause pleasant dreams (West); also used for Sleepwalking (TCM)
-also Cough and Asthma (TCM)
-“It helps with lumbago.” (Dorsetn, 1540)
-Mugwort root is often used for these purposes in the West.

3. Clears Wind-Phlegm, Resolves Masses: (TCM, West)

-lumps and nodes of the neck (internally and topically)
-it has been used for Tumors and Thyroid swellings in TCM.
-in China for Cancers of the Thyroid, Digestive system and Breast.

4. Clears Cold, Benefits Digestion: (TCM, West)

-poor appetite, nausea, anorexia, chronic diarrhea
-epigastric or abdominal pain from Cold

5. Resists Poison: (West)

-in Antidotes
-sore Swollen Throat, Tonsillitis (Culpeper)
-antidote against Opium
-“very beneficial against poisons and the bites of Rabid animals”. (Dorsetn, 1540)

6. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine: (West, Ayurveda)

-Edema, Jaundice
-Obstruction of the Liver and Spleen
-Gravel, Stones (West, Ayurveda)
-“Taken with wine promotes urine, and when ground into powder and mixed with water, it helps with Stones.” (Dorsetn, 1540)

7. Benefits Qi:

-Fatigue, weakness and weariness (Pliny)
-used similarly in Chinese Folk Medicine and by Native Americans.
-‘exceedingly nourishes patients of the deficiency type’. (Old Chinese Herbal)

8. Kills Worms:

–Threadworm, Roundworm (Oil has especially been used for Worms)
-washes and fumigations as an insect repellent

9. Externally:

-ointments for Nodes, Swellings, Scrofula
-baths and washes for Sciatica, Shaking, Trembling, Cramps
-vinegar tincture is applied to sprains and bruising
-topically for eczema, dermatitis
-in douches for Uterine Pain and Tumors of the Uterus.
-bruised and used as a pessary with oil of Myrrh (Pliny)
-decocted in water and applied as a plaster to the lower abdomen or vagina to promote speedy labor

Main Combinations:

Gynecology & Obstetrics:

1. Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea:
i. Mugwort with Betony, Elecampane, Hyssop (as in Decoction to Promote Menstruation)
ii. Mugwort with Oregano, Camomile, Mint (as in Infusion for Painful Menstruation of Matthioli)
iii. Mugwort with Feverfew, Pennyroyal, Balm, Mallow (as in Decoction to Promote Menstruation)
iv. Mugwort with Pennyroyal, Oregano, Balm, Rue, Peony, Elecampane (as in Syrup of Mugwort)
v. Mugwort with Cyperus, Angelica, Valerian, Madder, Pennyroyal, Carrot seed, Cinnamon, Saffron (as in Emmenagogue Decoction)
vi. Mugwort with Madder, Couch grass, Butchers Broom root, Carrot seed, Marjoram, Calamint (as in Syrup of Mugwort Lesser)
vii. Mugwort, Feverfew, Pennyroyal, Balm, Mallow, boil in wine (Wirtzung)
viii. Mugwort, Senna, Pennyroyal, Cinnamon, Mace, boil in Wine. This was specifically recommended after menstruation had been induced to assure completion of the menstruation. (Wirtzung)
ix. Mugwort, Juniper, Madder, Cinnamon, Myrrh, decoct, strain, add Borax (Wirtzung)
x. Mugwort, Celery root, Asparagus root, Aniseed, Fennel seed, Pennyroyal, Mint, Feverfew
xi. to strongly promote Menstruation: Mugwort, Savin (1 handful each), boil in wine (2 quarts) until one-third is wasted. Take 2 spoonfuls morning and evening. (Wirtzung)
xii. Mugwort, Sage, Oregano, Cumin, Savin, Balm, Pennyroyal, Dill, Betony, Anise, Lovage
2. Uterine Bleeding from Cold:
i. Mugwort, Cyperus rotundus, Ginger, Shatavari (Ayurveda)
3. Uterus pain from Cold:
i. Theriac, Saffron, taken with Decoction of Mugwort
ii. Turbith (1 dram), Ginger (1 scruple), take with a strong decoction of Mugwort. (Wirtzung)
4. PMS, emotional problems aggravated by Menstruation, combine Mugwort with Balm, St. Johns wort, Valerian
5. Hysteris, PMS: Motherwort, Mugwort, Juniper berry, Savin, Nigella, Amber, Aniseed, Lesser Cardamon (as in Hysterical Extract of Lazarus Riverius)
6. Infertility:
i. Mugwort with Ivory, Deer horn, Nutmeg powdered, mixed with Honey and taken with wine decoction of Mugwort (Arnold de Villa Nova)
ii. Mugwort with Broom flower, Celery seed, Parsley seed, Cumin, Feverfew, Aloe, Indian Salt, Saffron (as in Pills Against Barrenness)
iii. Mugwort with Madder, Mint, Wormwood, Fennel root, Marjoram, Calamus, Aniseed, Clove, Balm, Cyperus root, Cinnamon, Raisin, Mastic, Ginger, Clove, Ivory, Saffron (as in Electuary to Promote Fertility)
iv. Mugwort with Syrup of Vinegar, Syrup of Agrimony, Feverfew, Elecampane. This was to be used after purging. (Wirtzung)
v. To make a women fruitful: boil Mugwort and Wormwood in Goat Milk and drink morning and evening. Every day, take the following bath: Mugwort, Pennyroyal, Rue (one handful each), put in a bag and use in the bath, renewing it every 3 days. (Wirtzung)
vi. a Bath for Infertility: Mugwort, Balm, Marjoram, Mint, Pennyroyal, Feverfew (Wirtzung)
7. Promote Labor:
i. Mugwort with Savin, Pennyroyal, Cassia Fistula, Saffron, Cinnamon, Myrrh (as in Powder to Facilitate Birth)
ii. Stopped Labor, decoct Pennyroyal, Mugwort and Betony in Milk then put it under her as hot as possible. (Wirtzung)
8. Douche for Uterine Pain: Mugwort, Calamint, Pennyroyal, Camomile, Fenugreek, Linseed; decoct for use

Nerve & Joint:

9. Nerve diseases, combine Mugwort with St. Johns wort, Rue, Peony, Calamus
10. Paralysis and senselessness of the Limbs:
i. Mugwort, Camomile, Sage, decocted and used as a formentation or wash. (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630).
ii. Another similar combined Mugwort, Camomile and Valerian, decocted in wine and used as a wash. (Dorsetn, 1540)
11. Pain or Spasms of the Digestive organs:
i. Mugwort with Costus, Fennel, Cinnamon
ii. Mugwort, Fumitory, Betony, Mint, Aniseed, Fennel seed, Calamus (add Senna to purge) (Wirtzung)
12. Obstruction of the Spleen or Liver from Cold, decoct Mugwort with Wormwood and Scolopendrum (Arnold de Villa Nova)
13. Arthritis:
i. Mugwort root, Rhubarb, Germander, Lesser Centaury, St. Johns wort, Macedonian Parsley (Pharmacopoeia Generalis, 1783)
ii. beat green Mugwort and boil in oil until the juice is consumed. This is a very good application to Arthritis.

Wounds & Trauma:

14. Vulnerary drinks for Wounds:
i. Mugwort with Agrimony, St. Johns wort, Betony, Bugle, Comfrey, Ribwort Plaintain, Tormentil, Wormwood (as in Decoction for Wounds)
ii. Mugwort, Betony, Cowslips, Vervain (especially of the Head)
iii. Mugwort, Betony, Veronica, Sanicle, Tormentil (especially of the Head)

Urinary:

15. Stones:
i. Mugwort Water helps eliminate Stones
ii. powdered tops of Mugwort taken before bathing climinates Stones (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)

Externally:

16. Topical wash for Cramps and Pains of the Sinews: Mugwort, Camomile, Agrimony (Culpeper)
17. Paralysis, Mugwort, Camomile, Sage decocted in wine as a wash externally. (Botanicon Continens Herbarum, Dorsten, 1540)
18. As a hip bath to promote Menstruation:
i. Mugwort with Bay leaf
ii. Mugwort, Rosemary, Thyme, Calamint, Cyperus
iii. Mugwort, Sage, Betony, Calamint, Oregano, Pennyroyal, Camomile, St. John’s wort
19. Ointment for Back Pain, Mugwort with Agrimony, Betony
20. Pain from Fractures, Mugwort, Betony, Horsetail, made into an ointment with Mastic, Myrrh, Frankincense and Wax (Wirtzung)
21. As a wash for Fungal Infections, with Neem (Ayurveda)
22. Weak or Lax Joints, Comfrey, Soloman’s Seal, Yarrow, Mugwort, make an ointment with fresh Butter or animal Fat. (Madame Young’s Guide to Health, 1858)

Major Formulas:

Infusion for Painful Menstruation (Matthioli)
Decoction to Promote Menstruation (Wirtzung)
Decoction to Promote Menstruation (Turner)
Syrup of Mugwort Lesser (Bononiense)
Syrup of Mugwort (Augustana)
Antidotum Haemagogum (Nicholas)
Electuary to Promote Fertility (Wirtzung)

1. Compound Syrup of Mugwort:
The Original Syrup of Mugwort is famous for Female complaints. These are variations.
i. Madder, Dyer’s Broom root (2 oz. each), Mugwort, Pennyroyal, Balm Dittany of Crete, Savin (3 drams each), St. John’s wort tops (2 drams),
Fennel seed (½ oz.), Cassia Lignea  (1 oz.).
  Cut the roots, infuse in 3 pounds water; boil gently in the morning, then infuse the other ingredients in 2 pounds of the strained decoction. Filter after 24 hours, and to every 9 ounces, add White Sugar 16 oz. (Pharmacopoeia Wirtembergica, 1798)
ii. Fresh leaves of Sweet Basil, Marjoram, Feverfew, Rue, Hyssop (of each 4 parts), Catmint, Pennyroyal, Savin, Mugwort (each 8 parts)
Bruise, press the juice and coagulate. Mix the fecula with the residue of the expression, and with Aniseed (1 part), Cinnamon (2 parts), Water (120 parts), distil 20 parts. Mix with the depurated Juice, and to 4 parts add White Sugar (7 ½ parts) and form a syrup with a gentle heat. (Pharmacopee Usuelle, Louvain, 1821)