The Legal Narcotic You Can Grow In Your Own Backyard - mugwort benefits

The Legal Narcotic You Can Grow In Your Own Backyard - mugwort benefits 3

The Legal Narcotic You Can Grow In Your Own Backyard - Mugwort Tea

The Legal Narcotic You Can Grow In Your Own Backyard

POSTED NOVEMBER 2, 2021 BY ROSE KEEFE IN ALL ARTICLES, BACKYARD PLANTS, HOUSEHOLD REMEDIES 23

Mugwort has been around for thousands of years, but thanks to TikTok, it has recently become a buzzword. Users claim that by consuming or drinking mugwort, one can enjoy subtle psychoactive benefits such as reduced anxiety, improved sleep, and more vivid dreams.

One UK journalist investigated these claims by purchasing a pack and consuming it as tea. Although he didn’t find that mugwort produced a dramatic high like some other drugs, he did enjoy the experience.

“For those that are looking for a small but noticeable perk in mood and the possibility of some pretty intense dreams, mugwort may be for you,” he wrote. “I know I will definitely continue drinking it in tea form as part of my daily routine.”

So what’s the story behind mugwort and what’s the best way to enjoy it?

Mugwort- An Overview

The Legal Narcotic You Can Grow In Your Own Backyard - mugwort overview

Known scientifically as Artemisia vulgaris, mugwort is a tall shrub that is closely related to sunflowers. It has a long and colorful history, having been mentioned in Chinese poetry and ballads dating as far back as 3 B.C when it was an essential part of traditional herbal medicine. Since then, mugwort leaves, flowers, and roots have also been used as food, a spice, beverage flavoring, and even an acupuncture tool.

Some gardeners even apply it in their gardens as a moth and insect repellent. The flavor has been described as slightly minty, in contrast to its bitter aroma.

Traditional Health Benefits Of Mugwort

Mugwort has been used in a number of cultures, ranging from Europe to China, and has long been praised for its medicinal properties. Mugwort’s specific benefits are believed to be derived from the presence of flavonoids, triterpenes, and other antioxidant compounds, as well as some B vitamins, potassium, iron, and calcium.

The Legal Narcotic You Can Grow In Your Own Backyard - mugwort benefits 2

Eliminate Toxins: Due to its diuretic properties, mugwort can stimulate urination, which can be the body’s best method of eliminating toxins. By the same token, it may also benefit the kidneys and bladder, improving their function and reducing the likelihood of infection, and stimulate sweating, which may further eliminate toxins from the body through the skin.
Boost the Immune System: Mugwort may be an excellent choice for boosting the immune system due to its high concentration of vitamin C and other antioxidants. Aside from stimulating white blood cells, vitamin C also acts as a powerful antioxidant, which helps neutralize the free radicals that cause inflammation and weaken the body’s immune system.
Improve Indigestion: Mugwort has long been used to settle the stomach and ease indigestion. In addition to stimulating appetite and reducing bloating and cramps, it may also combat uncomfortable conditions like constipation and diarrhea. Several of its active compounds may also stimulate the production of bile, which can speed digestion.
Reduce Depression and Anxiety: The nervine properties of mugwort may make it very helpful for treating anxiety, depression, and chronic stress. If anxiety is a daily occurrence for you, drinking mugwort tea or consuming it as a tincture could relieve stress on your nervous and metabolic system and improve your quality of life.
Ease Menstrual Pain: Mugwort is beneficial for the treatment of dysmenorrhea, or menstrual cramps. Additionally, it may stimulate and regulate menstruation and support the body during the menopausal transition. However, pregnant women should avoid it because stimulation of menses can lead to miscarriage and premature labor.
Improve Bone Density: Mugwort is traditionally thought to be an excellent source of bone mineralizers, helping to increase bone density and preventing osteoporosis, among other types of age-related bone disorders. Several nutrients found in mugwort can support this health benefit, including potassium, iron, and calcium.
Support Healthy Vision: The antioxidant vitamin A found in mugwort may play an important role in vision health. In particular, this beta carotene-derived vitamin might protect against macular degeneration and slow cataract development.

What About Mugwort’s Hallucinogenic Properties?

The Legal Narcotic You Can Grow In Your Own Backyard - mugwort Hallucinogenic

Mugwort is a close relative of wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), the flavoring agent in absinthe, and has long been praised for its “psychic” and even “hallucinogenic” properties.

Although users have claimed that it helps them remember their dreams more vividly and even have the occasional lucid dream, its hallucinogenic properties are nowhere near as intense as herbs like wormwood or vervain, and those who have experienced a narcotic high won’t find the experience similar at all.

Can Everyone Take Mugwort?

The Legal Narcotic You Can Grow In Your Own Backyard - Mugwort warning

Although not as risky or intense as a narcotic, mugwort may be contraindicated for allergy sufferers and pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Mugwort pollen is one of the most common causes of hayfever, so allergic reactions are not uncommon. You should use it in moderation if you are prone to allergies. If you experience any skin irritation, stomach upset, or swelling of your throat, tongue, or lips, stop using it immediately.

As stated earlier, pregnant women should avoid mugwort, as it contains thujone, which can stimulate menstruation and, by extension, pregnancy complications. Breastfeeding mothers are also advised to refrain from mugwort consumption, as thujone and other active components could be passed on to the baby through breast milk.

What Is The Best Way To Take Mugwort?

Mugwort is commonly enjoyed as tea. You can order it online or, if you find it growing in the wild (it’s especially common in the eastern United States and Canada), collect it and dry it. Although the leaves are most commonly used for tea, many people use the root instead or combine the two.

To make tea, bring four cups of water to a boil, add one ounce of dried mugwort, and let it steep for five to 10 minutes. After giving it two or three minutes to cool, strain out the dried herb and add sugar or honey if desired.
If you prefer tinctures, place dried mugwort in an airtight jar and cover by one inch with 100 proof vodka. Allow sitting for a month, shaking occasionally. The standard dosage is 5-20 drops, taken before meals to help with liver bile production and stomach acid or after meals to help with gas or bloating.
A third option is moxibustion, a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves the burning of mugwort to promote healing with acupuncture. Moxibustion is used for strengthening blood, stimulating the flow of qi, and maintaining general health. In Western medicine, it is used to reposition breech babies to their normal head-down position prior to childbirth.

Conclusion

While mugwort is not likely to produce a recreational high, it could be a natural and effective alternative to prescription medication in treating or managing certain ailments. Even if you only enjoy a cup or two every day, the health benefits may make a long-lasting difference in your quality of life.

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23 Comments

BRUCE HOLLAND POSTED NOVEMBER 2, 2021 3:41 PMWill give it a try. Sounds more positiveReply
MAYRA MARRERO POSTED NOVEMBER 2, 2021 3:50 PMThis herb is a bitter herb, while with the Coronavirus, I drank it, if is also good for malaria in Africa. That helped me from getting worse. I grow it in my property.Reply
ARMIN POSTED NOVEMBER 2, 2021 3:55 PMCannabis isn’t a narcotic.Reply
- SHELBY POSTED NOVEMBER 2, 2021 4:47 PMYou are correct. 🙂Reply
- JOYCEL WOYCHIK POSTED NOVEMBER 2, 2021 8:51 PMWait. How did you post this in the future??Reply
- ANNA POSTED NOVEMBER 12, 2021 4:27 AMCorrect!! Nobody said it was.Reply
SABRINA CLASPER POSTED NOVEMBER 2, 2021 4:04 PMI love mugwort! I read somewhere to not boil the water for it makes mugwort bitter? I noticed if I use water that is just about to boil that it is less bitter but I do ponder if I leech all the good stuff out of it by using not boiled water? What are your thoughts?Reply
- THE LOST HERBS POSTED NOVEMBER 11, 2021 7:26 PMHi Sabrina,The truth is that Mugwort is bitter.If bitter isn’t your thing, try this: pour the boiling water over the herb, and let soak for just a single minute, instead of 3-6 minutes.
  You can also add honey. It should improve the taste.
  or Add in a handful of mint, lemon balm, or another herb of choice! You can also turn this into a mugwort latte by steaming some plant milk on the stovetop.Many blessings and good health!Reply
KIRBY POSTED NOVEMBER 2, 2021 5:21 PMOn the federal level it is still class1Reply
MARI A SPARKS POSTED NOVEMBER 2, 2021 5:45 PMMy parents used mugwort for everything. Where can I find it now to grow pleaseReply
- THE LOST HERBS POSTED NOVEMBER 11, 2021 7:29 PMHi Mary,Mugwort is a perennial. Shoots emerge during the spring, and flowering occurs from July to late September.But you can still find Mugwort in dried form or bundles:
  https://mountainroseherbs.com/mugwort-smudge-stickMany blessings and good health!Reply
BENNY POSTED NOVEMBER 2, 2021 8:05 PMamazing info, the best book, after the Bible, for healthy and easy to understand.Reply
- TINA MIEDEMA POSTED NOVEMBER 8, 2021 12:31 PMWhat book?Reply
CHRIS POSTED NOVEMBER 2, 2021 8:16 PMHow to IDReply
- DCORRY POSTED JANUARY 22, 2022 7:12 PMGoogle mugwort images.Reply
JAMIE POSTED NOVEMBER 3, 2021 12:41 AMWould this help severe back pain?Reply
- THE LOST HERBS POSTED FEBRUARY 4, 2022 8:05 PMHi Jamie,I’m sorry to hear that you have severe back pain.
  Unfortunately, we cannot diagnose conditions, provide second opinions or make specific treatment recommendations through this blog or website.However, as mentioned in the article, moxibustion or moxa is indeed good for chronic, achy back pain. Moxa increases circulation to accelerate the healing process warms muscle tissue and the acupuncture channels, and stops pain.Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information.Many blessings and good health!Reply
JACK SHAFER POSTED NOVEMBER 3, 2021 3:00 AMHave you come across anything thats helpful for sperm health?Reply
- ELAINE GRIFFITH POSTED NOVEMBER 3, 2021 9:42 PMI have seen two things that help that problem: clean the liver, stop doing anything toxic to the liver, and remove xenoestrogens from your environment. Google for all the products and places you get these hormone unbalancing substances in your life.Reply
BRYAN YODER POSTED NOVEMBER 9, 2021 7:58 PMcan you smoke it in a pipe or roll it in papers??Reply
- THE LOST HERBS POSTED NOVEMBER 11, 2021 7:31 PMHi Bryan,Either way works 🙂
  Here you can find more information about how to smoke healing herbs:
  https://thelostherbs.com/healing-herbs-you-can-smoke/Many blessings and good health!Reply
RALA POSTED DECEMBER 1, 2021 1:48 AMWhat herb would help with Hiatal Hernia and acid reflux? Smoking or in a tincture?Reply
JENNIFER POSTED MARCH 10, 2022 5:22 PMAny chance this would cause a positive drug test for occupational purposes?Reply