Mugwort Dreams: Everything You Should Know

First of all, you need to understand what mugwort is. Scientifically termed as artemesia annua, mugwort is a mysterious herb believed by some cultures to have supernatural powers. But because of its sweet taste, it’s also a popular herb to make some tea with and sip down at the end of the day while going to bed. Although it has some mystical properties associated with it, it is its physical properties which are likely more beneficial to human health.

Mugwort needs more scientific study for proof of it's capabilities. In traditional medicine it claims to aid digestion, promote relaxation and reduce anxiety. Roman soldiers are known to place this herb under their feet before going on long walks. Due to this, they were said to keep feeling fresh and did not get tired. It is commonly used in Japanese, Korean and Chinese medicines, and even in modern medicines for anti-herpetic effects. Some people also use this herb to add flavor while cooking, especially in soups and rice cakes.

In the world of herbal medicine, mugwort is used for treating a wide range of cardiovascular related issues. It is also said to be helpful in treating abnormal bleeding, cold, cough, high fever, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, loss of appetite, spasms, asthma and rheumatic disorder. It is thought to be effective in treating a number of skin related problems as well, including itching, warts, poison oak rashes and others.

You may also use mugwort if you are feeling uneasy, unwell or suffering from malaise. The herb is commonly used as a general digestive aid. This is for controlling indigestion, bloating, flatulence, stomach impurities, chronic pain, menstrual bleeding and others. It may be able to strengthen your digestive system and also expel pinworms from your intestines.

For ages, mugwort has been associated with witchcraft. Historically in Native American traditions this herb was rubbed on the body, as they believed that it would protect from ghosts. Some people also wore necklaces made from mugwort leaves in order to prevent dreaming of dead people. Travellers kept this herb with them in order to stay protected from dangerous animals and evil spirits. It is a common food and herbal medicine, but it was also used as a herb for smoking. It was used in ceremonial pipes by Native Americans^[1], although was sometimes mixed with other herbs or tobacco. Its other names include old uncle henry, wild wormwood, chrysanthemum weed, naughty man, felon herb and others. Since sailors used it instead of cannabis and tobacco, it is also commonly known as sailor’s tobacco.

Mugwort is sedative and is found to be effective in easing stress and calming frayed nerves. It is often added to sleep pillows as it was believed to make dreams clearer and more lucid. Mugwort is known to have hallucinogenic properties as well. Being a psychoactive herb, some people keep it under their pillow while sleeping in order to enhance their dreams. Many people who have used mugwort before sleeping have reported prophetic dreams and astral travel under its effect.

Since mugwort can potentially induce hallucinations, it has dramatic effects on a person’s dreaming mind. Mugwort has thujone as its active compound, which serves as the stepping stone for lucid dreaming. It pushes the person’s brain in the correct direction. If you take mugwort shortly before sleeping, your dreaming may cover incredible distances. People have reported bizarre experiences while dreaming after taking this herb. Not only does this herb enhance your dreaming experience, it also makes your dreams more lucid so that you can recall them better. Whether or not you think this is due to astral projection or simply your brain activity taking you to new places, it is something many lucid dreamers try to investigate.

Mugwort is a herb and only its roots and leaves are edible. There are several ways of taking mugwort before going to bed. Some of the methods to try are:

• Make a dream pillow: You can make a dream pillow with mugwort by putting some leaves of the herb inside your pillow cover. You may also mix it with another herb or incense, such as lavender. Sleeping on a dream pillow made of can be a great way to spend a restful night and increase your chances of having lucid dreams.
• Burn the incense: You can burn the incense of the herb to seek relaxation and stimulate your dreaming capability. Although this is not a very common method of using mugwort to enhance dreams, it may be worth trying.
• Drink mugwort tea: Brewing mugwort leaves in your everyday tea is a common way of consuming mugwort. If you are a non-smoker, you will find this method very easy to incorporate in your everyday routine. You may also combine this method with putting some mugwort leaves in your pillow case. To make this tea, bush off the mugwort leaves to remove any soil and dirt from them, boil one cup water in a pan, and add these leaves in it. You may add your everyday tea leaves in it for flavor. Let the tea boil for 2-3 minutes, strain and then drink.
• Use mugwort tea bags: Mugwort tea bags are also available out there. You can buy them from any nearby herbal store. Boil one cup of water in a pan, pour it in a cup, let it cool down by a few degrees, and add your tea bag in it. Let the mugwort seep into the boiled water, and then sip slowly.
• Moxibustion: Moxibustion is a traditional Asian technique of burning mugwort on different parts of the body to help ease certain pains and increase blood flow. Scientific analysis of this technique is very limited and there is little way to confirm it would aid in increasing lucid dreaming.

There is another way you can take mugwort to try to aid lucid dreaming:

• Smoke it: Smoking its leaves is the traditional way to use mugwort. It was rolled up inside a rolling paper or put into a pipe. Sailors used it either mixed with or instead of tobacco. However, smoking any sort of plant matter can be very bad for your lungs. It may help you to lucid dream, but the health risks associated with it mean it is not something which should be recommended.

Suggested dosage of mugwort may differ from one person to the other. You may have to try different dosages before you reach your ideal amount. However, suggested dosage for lucid mugwort dreams is 100 to 400 mg. It best works if you consume it 30-60 minutes before going to bed. This is believed to help you lucid dream and suggests the dreams can be more vivid.

Here are a few side effects of mugwort. You need to know them before you start taking this herb for mugwort dreams:

• As mugwort may leave you dehydrated, you need to drink lots of water all through the day. If you are dehydrated, mugwort will find it difficult to move through your intestines, and it may give you slight stomach pain.
• Just like you get a hangover after drinking alcohol the night before, some people may feel fatigued after mugwort consumption. This is probably because mugwort brings some changes in your sleep cycle and your body may take some time to adjust to them.
• This herb is not recommended for pregnant women and lactating mothers. Some percentage of it may reach their fetus or leech into their breast milk, and cause harm to the little one.

There may be other side effects of mugwort, but there is little scientific evidence as to its efficacy^[2]. More studies need to be carried out in both the effects of mugwort on the body as well as any help it might provide in lucid dreaming. There are other more technologically advanced methods of helping you to lucid dream which might be useful, such as sleep headphones to get you in the right place for lucid dreaming.

This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.

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