Mugwort is a rather nondescript grey-green plant but one with an interesting history. It was believed that John the Baptist wore a girdle of mugwort in the wilderness and in the Middle Ages, the plant was known as Cingulum Sancti Johannis (The girdle of St John).
Mugwort was important in Druidic and Anglo-Saxon times, being one of the nine herbs used to repel evil and poisons. The common name may be from the Anglo-Saxon mucgwrt, "midge plant", because of its use in repelling insects. It was known as the "Mother of Herbs" and was associated with witchcraft and fertility rites. On the Isle of Man mugwort is worn on the national day, July 5 (Tynwald Day) and is known as "Bollan bane".
Mugwort has long had a place in traditional Chinese medicine. It is the herb of choice for acupuncturists who practice moxibustion - a form of treatment in which dried mugwort is burned, either in the form of a cone (moxa), or on top of an acupuncture needle.
Mugwort was used for flavouring beer before the introduction of hops. It was also smoked in cigarettes and one of its names was 'Sailor's Tobacco'.
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