How to Make Mugwort Tea: Brewing Tips and Tricks

Co-authored by Jessica Gibson Reviewed by Ollie George Cigliano

Last Updated: July 5, 2024 Fact Checked

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Mugwort has been used in traditional medicine and folk remedies for centuries. If you're interested in its digestive or calming properties, brew a cup of mugwort tea. Mugwort has a grassy and slightly bittersweet taste that's pleasant on its own. In this article, we'll walk you through the process of steeping a simple cup of mugwort tea.

Things You Should Know

Start with either dried or fresh mugwort leaves. Steep them in boiling water for 5 to 15 minutes.
Mugwort is thought to aid insomnia and irregular menstrual cycles, and has been proven to have antioxidant and antifungal properties.
Mix mugwort with white tea, camomile, cinnamon, and nutmeg to make a tea for lucid dreaming.

1

Collect dried or fresh mugwort leaves.

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Most people use dried mugwort since the flavor is more mellow. Fresh mugwort has a stronger, bitter flavor, but it's completely fine to use fresh leaves in your tea. Gather 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried leaves (1.2 to 2.4 g) or pick a few fresh leaves to make 1 serving of mugwort tea.
- Mugwort is thought to treat insomnia, nerve disorders, and irregular menstrual cycles although more research is needed. Studies have found that mugwort does have antioxidant and antifungal properties.^{[1]
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2

Place the mugwort in a tea strainer.

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Use an infuser basket instead of a tea ball and put it in a mug or teapot. Tea balls pack the leaves too tightly, so the water can't infuse properly. Tea baskets allow for a lot more circulation, so you'll get great-tasting tea every time.
- Feel free to use large paper filters—these also give the mugwort tea more room to circulate.

3

Pour boiling water over the mugwort.

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Add about 1 c (240 ml) of water for each serving of tea. To make a pot of mugwort tea, just increase the amount of water and mugwort leaves. Keep in mind that you can adjust the amount of water depending on your taste—if you like a stronger taste, use half as much water.
- For the best taste, use freshly boiled water.

4

Cover and steep the tea for 5 to 15 minutes.

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The amount of time you steep the tea is completely up to you. If you prefer a mild, delicate flavor, steep the tea for just 5 minutes. For a really strong, robust cup of mugwort tea, let it steep up to 15 minutes.^{[2]
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- If you're not sure, taste a spoonful of the tea after 5 minutes. If it seems weak to you, continue to steep and taste the tea every few minutes.

5

Strain the tea and add sweetener if you like.

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Remove the infuser basket or tea filter. Give the tea a taste and add a little honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup if you'd like it to be a bit sweeter. Mugwort tea has a naturally grassy or bittersweet taste.
- Throw out the old mugwort leaves or toss them onto your compost pile.
- For a mugwort latte, stir in warm milk or plant-based milk like oat or soy.
- Add your favorite spices, too—try a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for instance.

6

Pour it over ice if you want a cold drink.

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If it's too hot for a cup of mugwort, drink it chilled! Just because it's toasty out doesn't mean you have to forgo the benefits of your mugwort tea. Fill a glass with ice and slowly pour the mugwort tea into it. Add sweeteners if you like and enjoy.
- Steep a few leaves of peppermint or spearmint with the mugwort if you'd like an extra-cooling flavor.^{[3]
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7

Add chamomile for a calming blend.

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Mugwort, black tea, and chamomile make a tea that helps you relax. If you're drinking mugwort for its meditative qualities, add an equal amount of chamomile buds to the mugwort. Then, add twice as much black tea to a strainer and steep your mindful mugwort blend for 2 minutes.^{[4]
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- Drink your tea in the evening or whenever you need a bit of peace.

8

Add white tea for a lucid dreaming blend.

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Mugwort, white tea, chamomile, and spices help you dream. If you're hoping for prophetic dreams, make a tea blend of equal parts white tea and mugwort. Add 1/2 part of chamomile buds along with a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg. Then, steep your tea and sip it just before you go to sleep.^{[5]
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- Some people place their dream journal right next to their bed, so they can write down prophetic or revealing dreams as soon as they wake.

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Tips

For mugwort tea that aids in digestion, add mint, sage, or fennel.^{[6]
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Research source} Research shows that it can actually stimulate appetite and treat stomach inflammation.^{[7]
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It's generally safe to drink up to 3 cups (710 ml) of mugwort tea a day, but stop if you develop a rash, hives, or signs of an allergic reaction.

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Warnings

Mugwort is very similar to ragweed. If you're allergic to ragweed pollen, you may want to avoid mugwort since it can trigger an allergic response.^{[8]
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Avoid drinking mugwort during pregnancy because it can cause uterine contractions. Since more research is needed to determine if it's safe to use while breastfeeding, it's best to avoid it.^{[9]
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