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Scents of the Earth

episode  nr. 10 : Artemisia
 

Hello plant friends,

It wasn’t the first time I had encountered Artemisia or Mugwort, but I only got to know Artemisia vulgaris recently. It started during one of my walks home from the bus, not long after I moved to the small village where I now live where one late afternoon I brushed past a wild patch of tall, silvery-green plants that I recognized from my botany studies. I had to stop, crushing the flower buds between my fingers and inhaling their scent.

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I took a little home, dried a bunch, started using it in teas, in incense, and even experimenting with it in my perfume blends. â€‹It wasn’t the first time I had encountered Artemisia or Mugwort, but I only truly got to know Artemisia vulgaris when my friend Marije introduced me to its lore.Today, I’d love to share more about the rich history of Artemisia vulgaris and how it has woven itself into herbal medicine and perfumery throughout time.

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PRECAUTION Mugwort can stimulate the uterus, so avoid using it if you're pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding (let me know and I'll give a replacement of something in the same family of herbs). Keep away from children. If you’re allergic to ragweed, celery, or carrots, use mugwort cautiously due to potential allergic reactions. 

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With love,

Merle

ArtemisiaScents of the Earth
00:00 / 16:33

In your box this month:

Artemisia essential oil & dried Artemisia leaf, tea bag

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Artemisia Vulgaris, commonly known as mugwort, is one of the most widely used species of the Artemisia genus for essential oil production. Mugwort has a long history in traditional medicine, and its essential oil is valued for various therapeutic properties. However it has very interesting qualities in perfume too.

 

It grows abundantly in wild meadows, forests, but seems to do especially well along roadsides and places where there is some human activity, this is why it is also called a culture follower. Due to its widespread availability, many countries produce mugwort essential oil, with notable sources being France, Germany, Marocco and Bulgaria.

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A weed is a plant that has mastered every survival skill except how to grow in rows.  Doug Larsen

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Etymology​​​

 

The genus name Artemisia is likely derived from the Greek goddess Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, the moon, and nature. Artemis was often associated with protecting women and healing diseases, which aligns with the traditional medicinal uses of many plants in the Artemisia genus, particularly for women’s health. Another theory is that it comes from Artemisia of Caria, a 4th-century BCE botanist who was a patron of plants.

 

The species name vulgaris is from Latin, meaning "common" or "ordinary." It refers to the widespread and common nature of this plant. In this case, Artemisia vulgaris means "common" or "ordinary Artemisia," indicating that this plant is widely found throughout Europe and Asia.

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Artemisia in perfumes

 

In modern perfumery, mugwort is not too often, but sometimes used in niche or artisanal fragrances. I have once used Artemisia in a scent for an art project in collaboration with artist Jasper Griepink. The Artemisia oil gave a spacious, humid, hay-like, green, very recognizable yet also slightly incomprehensible, mythical atmosphere to the scent that I made for the space. It has something of a misty quality, a dampness, a bitterness, fresh, but also warmth and sweetness. It can be quite overpowering but it is also diffusive. I wonder what it smells like in Defend. 

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If you'd like to try Artemisia in existing perfumes: DS and Durga has used it in their formula for Cowboy Grass. It's also in Serge Lutens Armoise and Maison Crivelli's Absinthe Boreale and Naomi Goodsir worked with it in Nuit de Bakelite which is a very niche, very curious perfume. 

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Adam Michael has this to say “Artemisia, probably better known as armoise, mugwort, wormwood and in the Netherlands as bijvoet. The essential oil is pale yellow in colour, of a pourable viscosity, and obtained by steam distilling the leaves which are completely dried out first. The aroma has real power, strength and long-lasting depth; sweet, herbal, bitter and davana boozy throughout. As a personal sidenote I like to add the lingering basenote that stays on the paper and skin for a long time.

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He who carries Artemis on his travels will never feel weary.​

French saying

 

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Miniature from a 12th-century medical and herbal collection.

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The reputation of this herb as a medicinal plant originates from medieval superstition. It was used to protect travelers from evil spirits and wild animals. People believed that placing mugwort in their shoes would allow them to walk long distances without tiring, which is why it’s called "bijvoet" (meaning "by foot"). Even today, it is occasionally used as an additive in foot baths.

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The root of mugwort was traditionally fastened to a house door or wall to ward off the devil and evil spirits. Woven wreaths of mugwort were used to protect homes from fire or lightning. Mugwort was once known as Mater Herbarum(Mother of Herbs) and was sacred to the Anglo-Saxons, as described in the Lacnunga manuscript. Folklore also calls it cingulum sancti, referencing a legend where John the Baptist wore a mugwort wreath. It became customary to throw mugwort wreaths into midsummer fires for protection against danger and illness for the coming year.

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This documentary is not about Artemisia or Mugwort but about this wonderful herbalist Julliette de Bairacli Levy, an herbalist and early pioneer of herbal medicine. It highlights her lifelong dedication to studying medicinal plants and living in harmony with nature, showing beautiful scenes of her traveling with nomadic groups and practicing traditional herbalism. The film captures her teachings, deep connection with nature, and the profound wisdom she imparts about healing through plants. The documentary is for rent here and is a gem for anyone who wants to be inspired and learn more about plant medicine.

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Latin text about the usage of Mugwort (Photo by Herbarius moguntinus on Wikimedia Commons) 

Mugwort gets its name from Old English: mug (possibly referring to a type of insect-repelling herb) and wort (meaning plant or root). Traditionally, it was believed to protect against evil spirits, wild animals, and fatigue. It was also used to flavor beverages like beer, making “mug” potentially related to the idea that it ends up in your mug.

Most certainly, it has been used in flavoring drinks at least since the early Iron Age. Other sources say mugwort is derived from the Old Norse muggi (meaning "marsh") and German wuertz (wort in English, originally meaning "root"), which refers to its use since ancient times to repel insects, especially moths.

The Old English word for mugwort is mucgwyrt where mucg-, could be a variation of the Old English word for "midge": mycg. Wort comes from the Old English wyrt (root/herb/plant), which is related to the Old High German wurz (root) and the Old Norse urt (plant).










 

Mugwort is a powerful visionary herb that has been used for centuries to connect us to the spiritual realms. It enhances intuition, psychic powers, and dream work, and is a sacred plant for many indigenous cultures. Mugwort is truly a magical herb that can help us tap into the mysteries of the universe and access our deepest wisdom.


—Rosemary Gladstar

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Plant practice dream ritual

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Intention creates action. It directs your focus inwards and

clarifies the purpose of why you’re sitting here. In plant

practices our intentions are mostly very simple as we’re just

here to meet the plants. An intention for this dream ritual

could be ‘Dear Mugwort, I want to get to know you’ or ‘Can

you help me with remembering my dreams’. Our body is

intelligent and will weave the intention into our sleep.

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After adding boiled water to our teabag of Mugwort and leaving it to cool to a comfortable temperature it’s time to sip your cup. Bring the Mugwort brew to your lips and whisper your intention into the water. Very slowly, drink the Mugwort tea. Taste the hints of bitterness and sweetness in the flavor. Finish at your own pace, in silence.

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Ritual provided by Marije Popping

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The Lacnunga ("Remedies") is a collection of Anglo-Saxon medical texts and prayers, mostly written in Old English and Latin. The title was given by its first editor, Oswald Cockayne, in the 19th century. Found in the British Library's Harley MS 585, it was likely compiled in late 10th or early 11th century England. The Lacnunga includes herbal remedies, some also found in Bald's Leechbook, and unique texts such as charms that offer insights into Anglo-Saxon healing and religious practices.

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Yes, mugwort (referred to as mucgwyrt in Old English) is featured in the Lacnunga as part of the famous Nine Herbs Charm. This charm is a poetic incantation meant to accompany the preparation of nine specific medicinal herbs, including mugwort, to treat infection or poison.

In the Nine Herbs Charm, mugwort is described as "the oldest of herbs," emphasizing its revered status in Anglo-Saxon herbalism. It is associated with warding off evil and is believed to have protective and healing properties, especially for wounds and ailments caused by supernatural forces. The charm instructs how to use mugwort and other herbs, along with a special incantation, to combat illness.

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Modern stylized text from the Lacnunca as part of the nine herb charm.

 

Remember, Mugwort,
what you brought to pass,
what you readied,
at Regenmeld.

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You’re called Una, that most ancient plant.
You defeat three, you defeat thirty,
you defeat venom, you defeat air-illness;
you defeat the horror who stalks the land.

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Reach out or say hi

Thank you so much for accompanying me on this fascinating journey through the realm of perfuming materials, where we explore not only the sensory beauty of scents but also the deeper intelligence of plants and their natural essences. It’s been a wonderful adventure, navigating the intricacies of fragrance and nature’s wisdom. I’d love to hear your thoughts and insights on this experience!

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info@merlebergers.nl

or DM @linguaplanta

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