[Herbalist] wormwood and mug wort

[Sue Rogers]

A few of things to be aware of:
* Wormwood should not be used internally for any extended period of time
- it can cause bladder cancer and possible nerve damage.  That's long
term, regular usage.
* Wormwood is VERY bitter, mugwort is only a little better.  It takes a
while to get used to the flavor.
* Wormwood being a vermifuge, it can cause diarrhea (doesn't always).
* NEVER use wormwood or mugwort when pregnant - both can cause
miscarriages.  Both have reputations as abortifacients, though neither is
particularly safe so used.  In the books, Ayla may have been using the
tea as a form of contraceptive?  (been a while since I read them)
* I have used wormwood occasionally as a sedative, mostly when other
remedies fail.  The taste puts most people off.  Mugwort is supposed to
bring vivid dreams.

If you are wanting a mild sedative, I recommend any or all of the
following: Chamomile, English primrose (Primula species - not our local
primrose, which is Oneothera), cramp bark (Viburnum opulus, also known as
Guelder rose), passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), scullcap
(Scutellaria species), vervain (Verbena species - the tall ones with the
slender flower spike, not the low-growing ones with the flower head that
looks like lantana).  I usually add rose petals or poppy flowers for
color and psychological effect...  To improve the flavor, you can add
some mint, but don't overdo it.

Wormwood grows in this area (Dallas, TX), as does southernwood and
several other artemisias - I haven't tried mugwort, but would expect it
to do well.  We also have growing in this area passion flower, vervain,
and scullcap, making me think perhaps we need the sedatives to counteract
the stresses of big city living <grin>.

I personally would not group wormwood or mugwort medicinally with some of
the other plants you mention, such as mint, lavander, elder or willow.
Tansy does have some similar effects to wormwood, as a vermifuge and as a
bitter.  Rue is also quite bitter, and has been used to bring on the
menses (though is not particularly safe to use).  Hoarhound is very
bitter, but is used mostly for lung problems.  Always be sure you
research the herbs you are using, preferably in several sources.

Let us know what you come up with.
Suzanna, herbalist, Barony of the Steppes, Kingdom of Ansteorra (Dallas,
TX)

On Tue, 28 Aug 2001 18:22:53 -0700 (PDT) nikkicmiller at yahoo.com writes:
>  Warm summer Greetings!
>  I would like to share with you my latest idea. I am
>putting together an infusion to drink like a tea for
>nerves.  I am starting with German camimille buds,
>rose petals (small,red buds) .  Steeped for 20 min. in
>not quite boiling water.   I was thinking......
>   You see presently I am reading the Earths Children
>series. (Greetings Suzzana and My Ladies  And yes, I
>did pay attention last month.) Now I was wondering if
>any of you had any thoughts on the herbs Iza taught
>Ayla to make into a tea and  keep secret. The tea she
>drank every morning living  with Jondalon for years.
>
>    Now, mugwort is diaphoric promoting sweat.  It is
>said to be excellent for female probloms relieving
>cramps and drink the tea for nervousness, shaking and
>inomnia. Same  type of medicine group as lavender,
>mint, rue ,garlic. It is said to heat the uterus and
>helps to bring on suppressed mensus.
>  Then wormwood is a cleansing medicine also.  It is
>in the same group as tansy, elder, willow, horehound.
>They ae also used on ulcers in a poltice to cleanse
>them of pus.  Any way, could wormood  and or mugwort
>be possibities?   I think it grows up north on the
>steppes.  It could ,you know.
>
>Nikki
>
>
>
>

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