Mugwort Herb (Artemisia vulgaris) — Bulk Dried Herb

Mugwort Herb (Artemisia vulgaris)

Mugwort is one of the most sacred, storied, and botanically significant plants in the world — a tall, aromatic perennial of the daisy family whose silver-backed leaves and distinctive camphor-like fragrance have made it a plant of profound cultural, spiritual, and botanical importance across European, Asian, and Native American traditions for thousands of years. It is the primary herb used in moxibustion — the ancient TCM practice of burning dried Mugwort near acupuncture points — and was one of the nine sacred herbs of the Anglo-Saxons.

Our Mugwort is certified organic, cut and sifted from the aerial parts harvested at peak maturity.

Botanical Profile

• Botanical Name: Artemisia vulgaris
• Family: Asteraceae (Daisy family)
• Common Names: Mugwort, Common Mugwort, Felon Herb, Chrysanthemum Weed, Sailor’s Tobacco, Ai Ye (TCM)
• Plant Part Used: Aerial parts (leaves and stems)
• Preparation: Cut & Sifted
• Cultivation: Certified Organic
• Origin: Europe / Asia (naturalized worldwide)
• Appearance: Dried green herb with distinctive silver-white undersides on leaf pieces
• Aroma: Strongly aromatic, camphor-like, sage-like, slightly bitter
• Flavor Profile: Bitter, aromatic, slightly sage-like

About the Plant

Native to temperate Europe and Asia, Artemisia vulgaris has naturalized across North America and much of the temperate world. It is a robust perennial that grows to 2 meters in height, producing deeply lobed leaves that are dark green on top and covered in dense white woolly hairs on the underside — giving them a distinctive silver appearance. The plant produces small, inconspicuous reddish-brown flower heads in late summer. Mugwort belongs to the same genus as Wormwood (A. absinthium), Sweet Annie (A. annua), and Sagebrush (A. tridentata). In TCM it is known as Ai Ye and is one of the most important herbs in the Chinese materia medica, used primarily in the form of moxa — compressed dried Mugwort burned near acupuncture points to warm and stimulate the flow of Qi.

Traditional Context

Mugwort has been used in botanical and spiritual traditions across the world for thousands of years. In TCM it is classified as a warm, bitter herb associated with the Liver, Spleen, and Kidney meridians and is the primary herb used in moxibustion, a practice documented in classical Chinese medical texts dating back over 2,000 years. In European tradition it was one of the nine sacred herbs of the Anglo-Saxons, listed in the Old English medical text Lacnunga. It was used by numerous Native American peoples and appears in the folk botanical traditions of cultures across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. It has long been associated with dreams and was traditionally placed under pillows or burned as incense to promote vivid dreaming.

Suggested Preparations

• Moxibustion: The primary traditional use — dried and compressed into moxa sticks or cones for burning near acupuncture points
• Infusions: Steep 1 teaspoon of dried herb in hot water for 10 minutes (use sparingly due to potency)
• Tinctures: Well-suited for alcohol extraction
• Smudging: Burned as incense in ceremonial and spiritual traditions
• Herbal Blends: Pairs with other Artemisia species in traditional formulas

Quality & Sourcing

• ✓ Certified Organic
• ✓ Identity Verified
• ✓ Ethically Sourced
• ✓ Small Batch
• ✓ No Additives or Fillers

Storage

Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark, dry place. Properly stored, dried Mugwort maintains its quality for 1–2 years.

A Note on Use

This product is sold as a botanical ingredient for educational, ceremonial, and traditional use. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Not recommended during pregnancy — Mugwort is a uterine stimulant. Those with allergies to plants in the Asteraceae family or to birch, celery, or carrot pollen should use with caution. Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before use if you are nursing, taking medications, or have a health condition.

Every purchase supports Twin Dragons Botanical Institute’s mission of botanical conservation, responsible sourcing, and the preservation of plant knowledge for future generations.