Mugwort is the cousin of Wormwood and St John’s Wort. In medieval times people used mugwort to make a beer called “gruit” and the beer was drunk from a mug and it seems likely that this is the reason mugwort is called this. ‘Wort’ means plant, herb or root in old English. It is also a native American tradition to burn mugwort along with sage to smudge a sacred space before a ceremony. Curious? Read on for these Top 5 Health Benefits of Mugwort!
1. Helps soothe skin conditions
If you have skin conditions such as eczema or acne the anti-inflammatory properties of mugwort can help soothe the redness. The herb is packed with high levels of antioxidants and has recently become a skincare sensation in Korea for this very reason. You can now find it as a skin treatment in face packs as well as being a cleansing oil in mugwort essence.
2. Relieves arthritis and joint pain
Mugwort is a natural fat-burner that can help you with weight reduction. It can also improve thyroid function. The thyroid gland creates hormones that regulate the body’s metabolic rate. It is easy to drink this as a tea and it is said that it can reach the deepest tissues of the body. If you mix it with another herbal oil, it will increase the healing strength of the oil that you might use for joint pain.
3. Digestive health
Mugwort is a choleretic – a substance that increases the volume of bile secretion from the liver, this allows toxins to be released and in turn aids the entire digestive system. The secretion of bile is of great help here. It’s also a natural laxative and in this regard, can help with weight loss and detoxifying the body.
4. Immune system booster
Antioxidants make this herb fantastic for charging up your immune system. Containing vitamin C, it can also stimulate the production of white blood cells, and it also acts as an antioxidant, which is important for absorbing free radicals in the body that cause inflammation and weaken the body’s immunity. Overall, mugwort appears to be a valuable aid in protecting your body from disease.
5. Helps maintain visual health
The Vitamin A found in mugwort acts as a strong antioxidant for healthy eyes and extraordinarily it’s even able to prevent macular degeneration and slow the development of cataracts.
