Mugwort grows tall along hedgerows and paths throughout the summer
in fact, it is said that it can always be found growing at ancient crossroads
as Roman soldiers planted it along the roads they built and used the leaves in their sandals
to relieve fatigue caused by long marches. Do try this by the way - it really does work.
Mugwort can reach up to 3 feet tall and its pointed leaves are dark green on the upper side
but a lighter, silvery green underneath and thickly covered with white cotton-like hairs.
The flowers look like small, grey polystyrene beads stuck together to form tall spires at the top of the plant.
Mugwort is an ancient remedy and is used throughout the world but is not as popular in medicine in the UK, as it once was.
Its leaves have been used to flavour beer before the introduction of hops
and poor people used this plant instead of black tea when black tea was too expensive for them.
In Chinese traditional medicine the leaves are dried and used to make the moxa used during acupuncture
The leaves are gently uplifting - that is, they both relax and gently stimulate the nervous system where there is fatigue
and an infusion of its leaves is useful to stimulate sweating at the start of a cold or flu.
However, its main use is to stimulate periods when they are irregular and to increase circulation to the womb.
The flowers are used too and are much more bitter than the leaves - so they are an excellent stimulant to the digestion.
Because of this stimulant action, do not use Mugwort during pregnancy.
To make the bitter, yet aromatic, infusion of mugwort leaves: take a small handful of fresh mugwort leaves
you can use the flowers too if they are available - though your tea will be much more bitter if you do.
Add a cup of boiling water and let sit for 5-10 minutes, strain and drink while warm.