Mugwort

Description

This hardy, perennial herb is grown from Mugwort seeds. Throughout history it has been used as a medicinal herb in both Europe and Asia. It is also referred to as Common Mugwort, Cronewort and Moxa. The Mugwort herb plant is shrub-like and many herb gardeners grow it as a hedge. It is considered ornamental with late-summer flower clusters and attractive foliage. As a culinary herb, the leaves have a pleasant bitter taste and are used for flavoring and as a tea. Common Mugwort will grow nearly anywhere, and it is often seen growing along roadsides and in waste areas. In traditional Asian Medicine, Mugwort or wormwood is used in a process called moxibustion. Mugwort or wormwood leaves are formed into sticks or cones about the size and shape of a cigar, and then burned to release energy. Moxibustion has been practiced for more than 3,000 years in China, and advocates claim and can strengthen and warm your blood and life energy, and treat inflammation and cancers.