Mug wort is a common name for several species of aromatic plants in the genus Artemisia. In Europe, mug wort most often refers to the species Artemisia Vulgarism or common mug wort. While other species are sometimes referred to by more specific common names they may be called simply "mug wort" in many contexts.

Mug wort's are used medicinally, especially in Chinese, Japanese and South Korean traditional medicine, and are used as an herb to flavor food.

In Traditional Japanese, Korean and Chinese Medicine, Chinese mug wort  is used for moxibustion, for a wide variety of health issues. The herb can be placed directly on the skin, attached to acupuncture needles, or rolled into sticks and waved gently over the area to be treated. In all instances, the herb is ignited and releases heat. Not only is it the herb which is believed to have healing properties in this manner, but it is also the heat released from the herb in a precise area that heals. There is significant technique involved when the herb is rolled into tiny pieces the size of a rice grain and lit with an incense stick directly on the skin. The little herbal fire is extinguished just before the lit herb actually touches the skin.

Mug wort oil contains thujone, which is toxic in large amounts or under prolonged intake. Thujone is also present in western red cedar, from which the name is derived. Mug wort herb contains a very small percentage of oil, so is generally considered safe to use. Pregnant women, though, should avoid consuming large amounts of mug wort. The species has a number of recorded historic uses in food, herbal medicine and as a smoking herb.

 

Uses: It is anti-epileptic and anti-hysteric oil; it cures digestive disorders and warms the body. It is also a diuretic, a nerve tonic; and an emenagogue; it unblocks and regulates menstruations, aids uterine health, treats dysmenorrheal and amenorrhea and kills intestinal worms.

Mug wort is promoted to treat stomach and intestinal disorders such as colic, persistent vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, and cramps. The herb has also been promoted as a treatment for a wide range of other conditions, including headaches, nose bleeds, muscle spasms, epilepsy, circulatory problems, menopausal and menstrual complaints, chills, fever, rheumatism, asthma, dermatitis, dysentery, gout, and infertility. Proponents also claim mug wort oil has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties and can be used to treat worm infestations and snakebites.

Some proponents claim mug wort is a sedative and use it to treat neuroses, hysteria, general irritability, restlessness, insomnia, anxiety, mild depression, anorexia, and opium addiction. Dried mug wort, or moxa, is used in moxibustion treatments to treat cancer.

The soothing and the relaxing effects of this oil on the brain and the nervous system makes it calm down the epileptic and hysteric attacks and in the long run, even cure epilepsy and hysteria to a great extent. This oil has a warming effect on the body which can be used to counter effect of cold and moisture in the air. It also helps fight infections.

The Essential Oil of Mug wort is very efficient in curing digestive disorders resulting from abnormal flow of digestive juices or due to microbial infections. It regulates or stimulates the flow of digestive juices to facilitate digestion as well as inhibits microbial infection in the stomach and the intestines to cure digestive disorders.

The blocked menstruations can be restarted with the help of this essential oil and can be made regular. Further, the other problems associated with periods, such as fatigue, headache, abdominal pains, nausea etc. can also be tackled with the help of this oil. This essential oil can also help avoid early or untimely menopause.

This oil maintains good health of the uterus. It maintains proper uterine discharges and stimulates production of certain hormones which keep the uterus functioning properly and safe from effects of ageing. It also protects it from uterine ulcers and tumors.

 

It is used to treat amenorrhea and dysmenorrheal. It is also used to improve concentration and memory, mixed with essential oils of rosemary and sage.