A tincture is a potent herbal extract made with fresh or dried plant material using alcohol as the solvent. There are a few ways to make a tincture, here we'll cover the traditional folk method using a process known as maceration. Maceration is the act of infusing plants or other organic material into a solvent to extract the active constituents from the chosen material.

Although I prefer to make tinctures with fresh plant material, I use dried mugwort for this recipe because it's easily accessible for most people.

Supplies Needed:
12 oz mason jar w/lid and jar ring
plastic wrap or parchment paper
4 cup glass measuring cup or glass bowl
fine mesh strainer
16 oz amber bottle w/cap
wooden chopstick
cheesecloth
pen or marker
labels

Ingredients:
Dried mugwort leaf, enough to fill the jar ½ – ¾ full (about 1 oz)
12 oz 100 proof vodka

Prepare & Create
Add the mugwort to the jar and pour the vodka into the jar, leaving ½ inch at the top. Gently stir until all the plant material is saturated. Cover the jar with a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Place the lid onto the jar and secure it tightly with the jar ring, shake well. Adhere a label to the jar with the date and contents, place the jar in a dark place for 6 weeks to macerate. Shake the jar a few times per week throughout the maceration process.

Decant, Store & Use
Place a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth into a glass measuring cup or bowl. Open the jar, remove the plastic wrap or parchment paper and pour the contents through the lined strainer. Gather all four corners of the cheesecloth and bring them together to form a sachet. Twist and squeeze the sachet to extract as much alcohol as possible. Compost the entire sachet of plant material and give thanks. Pour the tincture into a 16 oz amber bottle and label it. From this bottle you can fill smaller dropper bottles for easy dosage. Always remember to label dropper bottles you fill them.

This tincture helps to calm the mind, nourish the nervous system and provide protection. It brings balance to a women’s menstrual cycle, reduces cramps and delivers warmth to reproductive organs. It’s a dream tonic that can induce lucidity and support astral travel. The bitter properties of mugwort stimulate bile production, encourage digestion and may help eliminate intestinal worms and parasites. Not to be used while pregnant.

Uses: To stimulate digestion: 20-40 drops before meals; To induce a lucidity: 5-20 drops; To regulate menses & relieve cramps: 20-40 drops before & during your cycle

Mugwort is often referred to as a witches herb for its ability to induce lucidity, deepen meditation and assist during astral travel. An herb of the Moon and Venus, Mugwort helps one find and remember their inner strength and divine purpose.

The Protective Womb of Mugwort
A reliable flow of motherly protection emanates from mugwort. Sometimes known as cronewort, mugwort offers the wisdom of the crone and the steadiness of the sacred feminine. One can rely upon the protection of mugwort during astral travel, sacred ceremony, meditation, and times of transition and upheaval. It helps shield us from harm while allowing one to see the sometimes hard truth of matters at hand.

Mugwort is an herb for travelers. Stories of St. John the Baptist reveal that he wore a girdle of mugwort upon his chest as a talisman of protection during his travels. Sprigs of mugwort were said to be placed into the shoes of travelers to provide stamina and ensure a safe journey home.

Aretmis, goddess of the hunt is often associated with mugwort. The word Artemis in Greek means “unharmed” or “pure” and is thought to have influenced the latin name of mugwort, Artemesia vulgaris. A protector of purity she guarded her own chastity and the chastity of all young women. She is known as a highly skilled archer and is always depicted with a bow and arrow. She is a friend and great protector of the forest and all creatures that dwell there. Like mugwort, Artemis is associated with the moon.

In Norse mythology, mugwort is affiliated with Frigg, the earth goddess of domestic arts, chastity, and motherhood. She was a healer linked to prophecy and a protector of the true essence of women. She was a Volva, a female seere able to channel and foretell the future. Some say Frigg and the goddess Freya are one in the same due to their similar energies and traits. My personal opinion wavers on this but the similarities between the two are quite striking. Like mugwort, Frigg and Freyja correspond to Venus, the planet of love.

Magickal & Spiritual Uses
Mugwort guards the space between worlds and allows one to travel more easily between them. Astral travel, lucidity, and meditation can all be enhanced with mugwort. A tradition in Norse folk medicine and magick was to drink an infusion of mugwort with honey before performing divination. When consumed before bed, mugwort tea will allow one to easily slip into sleep and promote prophetic dreams. It also helps one to connect to dreams they hold within their heart. Mugwort is a great ally for meditation, it calms the nervous system and encourages stillness of the mind. I find that mugwort tea deepens meditation and stimulates the subconscious. Herbalist Robin Rose Bennett suggests mugwort as a way to open and connect with ones third eye and the inner wisdom contained there.

Mugwort can be burned prior to scrying, the art of gazing into a crystal ball, dark mirror, water, stone, or flame. Scrying allows one to tap into their second sight or psychic eye to receive visions and messages. Not only will mugwort enhance visions received but will also provide protection while scrying. Mugwort has psychotropic effects and can be smoked as an herbal cigarette to elevate and stimulate the mind. It's said that Mugwort is the plant of Midgard, the land known as Earth in Norse Mythology. Freyia Norling mentions, “One starts and ends with Mugwort as one starts and ends with Midgard.”

Mugwort is a plant that’s been connected with folklore and magick for centuries. Its protective nature holds you close yet allows opportunity for exploration into the depths of the subconscious and the astral realms. How do you like to work with Mugwort? Feel free and share you experiences with her in the comments below.