The mugwort plant is famed in Japan, Korea, and China for its medicinal properties.
Mugwort tea is an herbal tea brewed from dried leaves and is said to cure various conditions.
Mugwort tea has an earthy herb-like taste that is slightly bitter.
However, when you brew it, it gives off a crisp herb fragrance due to the essential oils in the plant.
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What is a mugwort plant?
Mugwort plant is an age-old herb native to Asia and Europe but grows wild in North America and other parts of the world.
If you live in these regions, you have probably seen the plant growing as a weed in your garden.
Its green serrated leaves and stems are used to prepare food either as dry or fresh products, including tea brewing.
Additionally, extracts are processed into nutrition and health supplements.
The origin of mugwort tea
Yomogi or Artemisia Princeps, the native Japanese mugwort plant variety, is closely related to the worldwide Artemisia Vulgaris species.
The perennial plants bloom in March and April across the wild mountains of Japan and its cities.
It was eaten as food and harvested as a traditional medicine to treat common ailments in the early days.
Mugwort tea has recently been popular among women due to its reproductive health benefits.
To make mugwort tea, you need dry mugwort plant leaves:
- First, these leaves are air dried in a well-ventilated room to retain their flavor and nutrients.
- After that, the dry leaves are boiled or steeped to brew the herbal tea. Besides aiding in menstrual cycle regularization, it improves digestion and clears the skin.
Besides making tea, in Japan, the young leaves from the mugwort plant have been eaten as food for hundreds of years.
For example, wild herbs known as sansai are a delicacy in spring, where they are deep fried or boiled.
Chefs also use mugwort to make traditional foods such as Mochi rice cakes and Dango dumplings, especially during spring celebrations.
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Is mugwort tea supposed to be bitter?
Mugwort tea is naturally from a herb and has a mildly bitter taste.
If you brew it in small quantities, the taste is palatable.
However, using excess amounts of dried mugwort leaves will give the tea an extremely sour taste and a strong aroma.
As a first-timer making mugwort tea, be keen to follow the exact instructions on the packaging.
How to make mugwort tea taste better
If you find it challenging to enjoy mugwort tea in its naturally bitter taste, consider adding a sweetener of choice.
Honey is recommended as a natural sweetener, unlike processed sugar.
However, remember to use honey in moderate quantities, especially if you are concerned about your blood sugar levels.
Mugwort tea as herbal medicine
Yomogi has been an herbal medication in Japan since the 8th century.
First, it was a common ointment to treat insect bites and minor skin conditions due to its antibacterial components.
Later, women began using it to balance hormones leading to menstruation and to cure stomach ailments like bloating and indigestion.
Today, Yomogi, or Japanese mugwort, is a multi-purpose herbal product.
Most people consume tea to treat blood circulation problems and acidity, improve sleep and calm the body and mind.
In Addition – It helps relieve cramps and improve overall immunity. However, although it is an excellent stress reliever, excessive drinking can be harmful, especially to pregnant women.
Mugwort tea for lucid dreams
Mugwort is sometimes used in spiritualism to offer protection from evil spirits by cleansing the air.
Psychics drink mugwort herbal tea to enhance their abilities. Additionally, people claim to get vivid dreams when they take herbal tea blends.
Consumers of herbal tea before bed can sometimes remember their dreams upon awakening.
Besides taking the tea, one can smoke the herb or place a sachet under the pillow to help with insomnia.
In addition, the relaxing effects of mugwort will help you sleep better, inducing the dream state likely to occur during REM sleep.
However, long-term use of mugwort, especially in high doses, is not recommended. Thujone, a neurotoxin in the mugwort plant, is toxic if consumed in excess.
Instead – Consider taking mugwort tea blended with other milder herbs, such as sage. People sensitive to plants can also trigger allergic reactions if they consume mugwort tea.
Always consult your doctor before beginning regular intake of mugwort tea or supplements.
They will check your medical history, pre-existing conditions, and medications to determine if medicinal herbs are ideal.
Conclusion
Despite the bitter mugwort tea taste, its antioxidant properties, calcium, vitamins, and flavonoids enhance your body’s overall well-being.
Take hot mugwort tea during cold winter mornings or warm summer nights.
The health benefits are tremendous for you at any time of the day or year.
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