Wholesale Mugwort

01.
A Bit of Botany

a little botanical information on mugwort

description
Artemisia vulgaris is a tall herbaceous perennial plant of the Asteraceae family that grows 1–2 m tall—although on rare occasion it can reach heights of 2.5 m. It has a woody root. The leaves are 5–20 cm long, dark green, pinnate, with dense white tomentose hairs on the underside. The erect stem of the plant is often tinged red-purplish. The plant's small flowers (5 mm long) are radially symmetrical with many yellow or dark red petals. The narrow and numerous capitula (flower heads) spread out in racemose panicles. It flowers from July to September.

common names & nomenclature
The common name of mugwort is mistakenly thought to be derived from the plant's traditional use in flavoring drinks—a function mugwort had been performing for hundreds of years. These drinks were then imbibed from "mugs", hence the connection. More likely it was derived from muggi, the old Norse word for "marsh". Wort is from the old English word wyrt a general term for "root", "herb", or "plant".

Also known as:
mugwort, cronewort, common wormwood, wild wormwood, felon herb, st. john's plant (not to be confused with st. john’s wort), chrysanthemum weed, sailor's tobacco, moxa, artemis herb, naughty man, old man, old uncle henry, muggons, cingulum sancti johannis

02.
Where in the World

habitat and range for mugwort

Artemisia vulgaris is native to temperate Europe, Asia, northern Africa and Alaska and is naturalized in North America.

03.
Cultivation & Harvesting

considerations for growing and harvesting mugwort

climate
Grows in weedy and uncultivated areas, such as waste places and roadsides in full to part sun. Mugwort is considered to be an invasive weed in many areas.

soil
Prefers a well-drained slightly alkaline, moist loamy soil.

growing
Surface sow seeds from late winter to early summer in a greenhouse and do not allow the compost to dry out. When large enough to handle, transplant the seedlings into individual pots. If growth is sufficient, they can be planted out into their permanent positions in the summer, otherwise grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter and then plant them out in the spring. Can take divisions in spring or autumn or do basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest the young shoots when about 10 - 15cm long, pot up in a lightly shaded position in a greenhouse or cold frame and plant them out when well rooted.

harvesting
Harvest mugwort shortly before it flowers and hang the leafy steps upside down in a dry place away from sunlight to dry.

Collect the root in autumn. Wash and dry mugwort root thoroughly and lay it on a screen to dry. Take care in spacing the roots, if still-drying roots touch one another they may mold.

preserving
Store dried mugwort in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.