The Artemisias or wormwoods, of which both mugwort and absinth belong, have a colourful history associated with their use. The genus covers over 180 species.
Artemisia Vulgaris (mugwort) grows along my front fence. In fact it is my front fence in places, as it pleases itself where and how it grows. Mugwort grows well from cuttings placed in sandy soil. I did try the herb a few times; smoking, tea etc. and found it has the mentioned properties of enhancing dreams, but as usual I have to give out a couple of cautions.
The warning regarding pregnancy is particularly relevant, as mugwort has been known to cause miscarriage through violent contractions of the uterus; prolapsus and rupture of the uterus, metrorrhagia, and increase lochial discharge. It is also reported to cause an increase in epileptic spasms, irritation of the nervous system, profuse sweat; and causing the person to have a fetid, cardaverous odor resembling garlic!
That being said there are some interesting facts about wormwoods as recorded in herbal literature.
Some writings state mugwort was valued as a treatment for epilepsy, palsy, and hysteria (considered so also by Parkinson) it proving successful when all other treatments failed. It was also claimed to be excellent for preventing/curing fever. Leaves used in baths were also said to be invigorating.
Perhaps vapour inhalation, as mentioned by Andromeda may be an palatable alternative way to administer.
According to the ancients, wormwood counteracted poisoning effects of hemlock, toadstool, and the biting of the sea dragon [?] It was used as a Tonic, a treatment for falling sickness and to relieve flatulence. Many of the other wormwoods appear also to have been valued medicinally. Culpepper writes of the three common species “…Each has its particular virtue”
PREPARATIONS
Culpepper states: “…leaves and flowers are used fresh as a very slight infusion. The oil of the seed can be prepared in lard to remedy tonsillitis, and mugwort and vinegar is an antidote for the mischief of mushrooms and henbane” [something perhaps acting as a muscarinic antagonist?].
However, extract should probably be made with the roots as although they may contain less thujone, they contain a host of other oils which could be dream enhancing.
From American Medicinal Plants:
“ The fresh root is chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alcohol are taken, and the pulp thoroughly mixed with 1/6th part of it, and the rest of the alcohol added. After thorough succession, the whole is poured into a well-stoppered bottle, and allowed to stand eight days in a dark cool place. The tincture thus prepared should after straining and filtering, have a deep yellowish colour by transmitted light; a characteristic un-comparable odour -that of the bruised leaves; an aromatic, slightly bitter taste; and an acid reaction.
AN OLD LOVE CHARM
On St Luke’s Day, take marigold flowers, a sprig of marjoram, thyme, and a little wormwood; dry them before a fire, rub them to powder; then sift through a fine piece of lawn, and simmer it over a slow fire, adding a small quantity of virgin honey, and vinegar. Anoint yourself with this when you go to bed saying the following three times and you will dream of your partner that is to be.
“St. Luke, St. Luke, be kind to me, in dreams let me my true-love see.”
WORMSEED, LEVANT
It has been mentioned many species of the Artemisia genus have very different properties. Artemisia Cina also known as Sea Wormwood contains santonin, a CYTOTOXIN (to add confusion the maritime variety is also called sea wormwood). Santonin is extracted immediately after the flower heads have expanded as it rapidly diminishes in quality. This is done by treating them with milk of lime (lime mixed with sweat water), producing a soluble calcium Santonate.
It is sparingly soluble in water but is soluble in alcohol and ether. This compound is stated as becoming poisonous with exposure to sunlight, with even small doses reported to produce remarkable effects in the vision. Appreciation of colour being so disturbed that objects appear yellow and are often preceded by colour trails.
The preparation was used as a worm treatment, with santonin receiving great attention from recent research, as the molecule is a great starting point for other substances. Many molecular variations of santonin have been prepared but to my knowledge none are known to be psychoactive.
Here’s the phytochemistry of Artemisia Cina.
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Although thujone is thought to be the major active substance in raw mugwort, there is also an allyl benzene present which could become aminated in-vivo, to produce a probably active compound, although this is present in only very small amounts.
Pihkal# 152
“…And the 3,5-dimethoxyallylbenzene isomer from artemisia (a pungent herb commonly called mugwort) and from sage, would give rise to 3,5-DMA. This is an unexplored isomer which would be both an antidote for opium as well as a stimulant, if the classical reputation of mugwort is transferred to the amphetamine...”
Despite Mugwort being closely related, Absinthium contains much higher levels (1750ppm in leaf) of alpha-thujone, as well as the beta form of thujone not found in mugwort.
The phytochemical make up can be found here.
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Plants listed with the highest alpha thujone levels are:
Salvia officinalis L. -- Sage; 200 - 10,172 ppm in Leaf BML JAD;
Artemisia salsoloides WILLD.; 9,500 ppm in Shoot 5001;
Artemisia absinthium L. -- Wormwood; 1,750 ppm in Leaf;
Artemisia herba-alba ASSO. -- Desert Wormwood; 580 - 773 ppm in Plant;
Cistus ladaniferus L. -- Ambreine, Gum Cistus, Labdanum, Rockrose; 8 - 560 ppm in Leaf;
Rosmarinus officinalis L. -- Rosemary; 84 - 399 ppm in Plant;
Satureja montana L. -- Savory, Winter Savory; 10 - 385 ppm in Plant BML CRC JEO3:147;
Plants listed with the highest beta thujone levels are:
Artemisia salsoloides WILLD.; 15,000 ppm in Shoot 5001;
Salvia officinalis L. -- Sage; 200 - 9,968 ppm in Leaf BML JAD;
Tanacetum vulgare L. -- Tansy; 1,124 - 3,500 ppm in Leaf;
Artemisia absinthium L. -- Wormwood; 1,750 ppm in Leaf;
Salvia triloba L. -- Greek Sage; 160 - 1,500 ppm in Plant BML HHB;
Artemisia herba-alba ASSO. -- Desert Wormwood; 580 - 773 ppm in Plant;
Rosmarinus officinalis L. -- Rosemary; 11 - 209 ppm in Plant FFJ9:29;
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Just to repeat BT’s warning. Mugwort, like most wormwoods, can be very toxic. Low dosages of light infusion teas, or pillows for dreams are unlikely to cause any problems, but be very careful about concentrates. There are many herbs with interesting properties but most of those which aren’t toxic are already widely used. That’s not to say there aren't possibly some very interesting compounds within the wealth of Australian natives.
OTHER REFERENCES
Millspaugh,C.F., American Medicinal Plants, 1974
Grieve, M. A Modern Herbal, 1944
http://www.nf-2000.org/secure/Fair/R1781.htm
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