Happy mars! Many of you already know my close relationship with Mugwort, but in honor of mars I want to talk about the other artemisia sister, Wormwood. Although she is of lunar nature for being an artemisia, Wormwood often corresponds with mars due to her nature.

As always here are so precautions. Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Always consult with a professional herbalist before engaging or consuming this herb and be aware that Wormwood contains thujone, which can be toxic in very large amounts.

Before you ask me, yes Wormwood is one of the ingredients in absinthe. No, the psychoactive properties are not any stronger than other spirits such as vodka or tequila.

Wormwood (artemisia absinthium) has been used to fight parasites. She’s also fantastic for joint/arthritis pain and severe muscle pain (please do NOT us her for menstrual cramps as it will prolong bleeding), aids in digestion and helps with inflammation. Also great for zits

Wormwood is associated with Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, wildlife and the moon. For magical practicioners she is a great ally to enhance psychic powers, divination and summon spirits. It is also used in banishing and “return to sender” spells.

It can be taken as a tincture, tea, ointment or by burning the dried herbs as an incense (please make sure your room is ventilated before doing this). My preferred method is burning it as an offering and using it as an ointment. The tea is super bitter!

I must admit that my relationship with Wormwood took some time to build. While I connected with Mugwort instantaneously, Wormwood seemed to fight me every step of the way. She wanted to be strained in a specific cloth.

She didn’t appreciate me taking too long while straining her unlike her sister, and preferres to get ir over with in a speedier fashion. She wanted to make sure my attention was fully on her whenever I was working with her, among other things.

I saw her as a bit demanding and spicy. If mugwort was the bud, wormwood was definitely the thorn. But the more I worked with her, the more I understood that her quirks weren’t because she was being a diva. She knows her worth and demands the attention she deserves.

My relationship with Wormwood has deepened and I am so glad to have her as an ally. Have you worked with her? What are your experiences?