146 - Mugwort by Moonlight

Mugwort is somewhat of a mysterious herb. It gets its name from it’s early use in brewing beer as a flavoring before hops were used - the wort in the mug so to speak.

It’s also supposed to be a travelers herb, supposedly soothing aching feet by putting some in your shoe.

And it’s frequently used in herbal smoking blends because it burns slowly and evenly and has a somewhat pleasant flavor.

But its best and most interesting use is for dream enhancement. Nobody quite understands why it works but this is a fact I can personally attest to. If you hang the herb near the head of your bed, or put some under your pillow, it will enhance your dream experiences, dramatically. They will be both more vivid and you will remember them longer and in more detail upon awakening.

We have a large stand of variegated mugwort in our backyard. I don’t use it for beer making or put any in my shoe nor do I smoke it (though I have in the past and found it pleasant), but I do keep a few fresh pieces hanging from the headboard.

I almost forgot to mention. Mugwort kind of shimmers in the moonlight, and that is also, supposedly, the best time to harvest some for dream enhancement.