A perennial herb with a long history. This is an aromatic plant, thought to promote and enhance dreaming during sleep. It has been used over many centuries as a bitter-tasting tonic for digestive disorders and as a flavoring agent in cooking and distilling. The dried leaves have antifungal and antiseptic properties, too.
During the summer, mugwort displays small red, pink, orange, and yellow flowers. Although they aren't as showy as a lot of prized garden plants, they look lovely in dried flower arrangements.
Their height means they can act as an attractive backdrop for smaller border or walled garden plants, and they also give off a pleasant sage-like fragrance. Many cultures have used mugwort in teas and traditional foods. In Europe it was used to flavor beer before the introduction of hops. Only dried plants were used because it was believed that the fresh leaves did not have the same flavor properties.
Mugwort contains small amounts of thujone which is a spasmodic. In small amounts, it isn’t harmful but if eaten in large quantities, it is toxic. Pregnant women should never consume mugwort because of the danger of early labor and miscarriage.
A perennial for zones 3-8. Grows about 40-60 inches in garden soil.