Herbal Adventures – The genus Artemisia
Green blessings surround us. Herbal medicine is people’s medicine: free, simple and accessible. Connect with the plants and you will fall in love with the land and your own wild nature. You don’t need human language to learn about plants; when you live with plants, they speak to you in your dreams and whisper in your womb.
But language and words are useful tools. Everyone, regardless of their mother tongue, uses the same plant language: botanical or, more simply, scientific names.
The scientific names may seem overwhelming, but your effort will be more than paid for. Plants in the same family often have very similar properties, allowing you to learn to use hundreds of plants as quickly as learning to use one.
The Asteraceae family, like all plant families, is subdivided into groups called genera (plural). Each genus (singular) contains plants that are closely related and generally interchangeable in use, although individually different. Each individual plant of a genus has the same name, but a second or different species name. For example, the genus Echinacea in the Asteraceae family includes E. pallida, E. purpurea, and E. augustifolia, all of which are powerful anti-infective agents.
Among the many genera in the Asteraceae family, one of my favorites is the genus Artemisia, named after the goddess Artemis. It contains many wonderfully aromatic plants, highly medicinal, dazzlingly decorative, safe and psychedelic and more or less edible. Found in gardens, roadsides, and waste lots around the world, there is probably an Artemisia growing near you.
Artemis is Apollo’s sister and queen of witches. She is the goddess of the moon, the herbalist, the midwife, the woman who gives birth and the hunter. Artemis is an untamed wild woman who runs free with deer and dogs. She is the woman who runs with the wolves. She is the “Mother of all creatures”. “Leader of the Holy Bitches”. “Big Bear”. She is not owned by any man and, therefore, is “Eternal Virgin”. And the plants that bear his name share his qualities.
If you see an Artemisia growing by the door, or painted on it, you have arrived at the home of a herbalist or midwife, a home guarded by Artemis.
The silver light of the Artemis moon shines from the leaves of its plants, making them appear slightly frosted or subtly sparkle. Most Artemisias are perennials that are tolerant of drought, poor soil, and extremes of heat and cold, making them ideal allies for even the most novice gardeners. Mugworts grow best from cuttings or transplants, not seeds, with the exception of A. annua, Sweet Annie, which lives only one year and is grown from seed.
Mugworts produce hundreds of different aromatic oils, including camphor and thujone. This keeps them error-free and provides us with medications. The aromatic oils of fresh Artemisias can be extracted into vinegar, vodka or fats such as olive oil and used externally to counteract bacterial and fungal infections, and internally to prevent or cure digestive parasites in women and animals. Small doses are said to improve appetite and digestion.
Dried mugworts retain these oils and are often used to make long-lasting fragrant bouquets, wreaths and garlands, as well as magical dreamy pillows, sachets and charms. When dirt floors were common, Artemisias were popular as spreading herbs. And don’t forget that all Artemisias are useful as stains. Sagebrush, A. tridentata is the most famous of all the spots, but for a change, try the cronewort (A. vulgaris), the dreamer’s ally.
Many books call Artemisia vulgaris “mugwort”, a name he despises. “I give you the dreams of the wise old women,” she said, “not the drunken fantasies of the jarred noses. Can’t you see my silver hair at the bottom of every sheet?”
Tincture, vinegar (my favorite) or even a cronewort tea can tone and improve the urinary, digestive, hormonal, nervous and circulatory systems. “I am everything an old woman wants,” she confesses with a smile. “I comfort those who are grieving; I move those who are depressed. I remove irritability and relieve stressed joints. I bring peace and sleep, rest and tranquility.”
Cronewort is also highly regarded by midwives for relieving labor pain, calming menstrual cramps, and effectively treating heavy bleeding and other uterine discomfort. And don’t forget his “supernatural” powers! This more common Artemisia (that’s what “vulgaris” means) is a powerful witch who will cast a spiral spell on you, if you ask her nicely.
Wormwood (A. absinthium) is perhaps the best known member of this genus. It is the strongest and most dangerous of the Artemisias. As the main ingredient in absinthe liqueur it is mind altering, stimulates midbrain activity and increases creativity. (However, repeated use disturbs the central nervous system, and overuse can lower seizure thresholds.) Herbalists like me use fresh wormwood tincture, 3-5 drops taken frequently throughout the day, to prevent giardia, dysentery, amoebae, and other parasitic infections. . This bitter and sour tincture is also helpful in relieving indigestion, improving liver function, and stimulating bile production.
Sweet Annie (A. annua), known in China as qing hao, is becoming a star these days. Dried and used in large daily doses, this Artemisia can prevent malaria. Pharmaceutical companies hope to isolate the active ingredient and produce a drug that will even cure malaria resistant to current drugs.
Invite Artemis into your garden, or connect with her in the wild places she loves. Open your heart, your head and your uterus. Invite her sexy and beautiful green magic into your circle. It is easy and fun.
SOME SPECIES OF ARTEMISIA LOVED BY HERBALISTS AND GARDENERS
A. abrotanum (southern wood) – divinatory
A. absinthium (wormwood) – medicinal
A. afra (African wormwood) – beauty
A. annua (sweet Annie, qing hao) – medicinal
A. camphorata (camphor-scented sothernwood) – divinatory
A. chinensis (moxa) – medicinal
A. drancuncula (tarragon, little dragon) – a chef’s favorite
A. frigida (fringed mugwort) – stain
A. lactiflora (ghost plant) – beauty
A. ludoviciana (silver queen) – beauty
A. pontica (Roman wormwood) – beauty
A. schmidtiana (silver mound) – beauty
A. stellerana (old woman, dusty miller) – beauty
A. tridentata (three-toothed mugwort) – stain
A. vulgaris (cronewort, mugwort) – magic and medicine
Legal Disclaimer: This content is not intended to replace conventional medical treatment. Any suggestions made and all herbs listed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, condition, or symptom. Personal instructions and use should be provided by a clinical herbalist or other qualified healthcare professional with a formula specific to you. All material in this article is provided for general information purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Contact a trusted doctor if you need medical attention. Exercise self-empowerment by seeking a second opinion.
