Mugs and Worts and Dreams

The title got your attention, didn’t it? Now I hope you will read on to learn about mugwort and its numerous uses.

Most of us are familiar with the plant called sage, and some of us may even use sage for smudging and clearing space in our homes or before doing rituals. I find however that not too many people know about mugwort. Because of my connection with the spiritual practices of the indigenous peoples of ancient Europe and the British Isles, I am always interested in learning about plants that grew in those areas and were used by our ancestors. Part of bringing back the wisdom is bringing back the wisdom of the sacred plant medicines. Although mugwort is non-native to North America, it is now readily obtainable in the wild here. It also grows in Europe and England and has been used there for centuries.

Mugwort is often called the Dreaming Plant. It is used to promote lucid dreaming and prophetic dreams or to intensify the dreaming process. Leaves can be hand-rubbed and placed under your pillow, and branches can be hung near your bed. You can drink it as a tea or smoke it. Mugwort has psychotropic properties and can alter reality. One of its main chemicals is thujone, which can be toxic in large doses or over a long period of time—so as with any substance with healing or medicinal properties, care should be taken when using it.

Mugwort can be used for smudging; however, it might be important for some to know that it smells more like marijuana than most other plants. It can also be used to clear your home or repel or banish negative or stuck energies, entities or spirits. Mugwort has been called the traveler’s herb because it was often placed in shoes to give one strength while traveling and to ward off danger from thieves and wild animals. It can also be rubbed on ritual or divination tools to cleanse them and enhance their power.

Mugwort is considered a feminine herb and has been used to regulate or stimulate menstruation and is a useful tonic during labor because it can relieve menstrual cramps. It should not be used, however, if you are pregnant.

Mugwort repels insects and can be used in the home by hanging branches of it around or placing it in cupboards or closets. It can be used on the skin in the form of a tea.

Wort, or wyrt as it is called in Old English, was often used in the names of herbs and plants that had medicinal uses. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, “a word with the suffix wort is often very old." The origin of the mug part of the word is uncertain. Some say it relates to its use as a substance to bitter beer before the use of hops. Others say it relates to the word moth and its use as an insect repellent. It’s for sure I don’t have the answer; perhaps you do. Either way, mugwort is an amazing plant with much value and great benefit on many levels: magical, medicinal and practical.

Until next time.

Blessings,
Ingrid

Ingrid Kincaid is an internationally known storyteller, teacher and spiritual mentor. She is an intuitive reader of ancient runes. She gently shows her clients how to tap into their own inner wisdom by weaving together creativity, spirituality and ancient knowing. Ingrid is available for interviews, private consultations and group presentations. You can contact her at ingk@ingridkincaid.com or 415.652.3990.