Mugwort

Mugwort or biboz is a common name for several species of aromatic flowering plants in the genus Artemisia. In Europe, mugwort most often refers to the species Artemisia vulgaris, or common mugwort. In East Asia the species Artemisia argyi is often called "Chinese mugwort" in the context of traditional Chinese medicine, Ngai Chou in Cantonese or àicǎo (艾草) in Mandarin. Artemisia princeps is a mugwort known in Korea as (쑥) and in Japan as (ヨモギ). While other species are sometimes referred to by more specific common names, they may be called simply "mugwort" in many contexts. The Anglo-Saxon Nine Herbs Charm mentions mucgwyrt. A folk etymology, based on coincidental sounds, derives from the word "mug"; more certainly, it has been used in flavoring drinks at least since the early Iron Age. Other sources say mugwort is derived from the Old Norse muggi (meaning "marsh") and German wuertz (wort in English, originally meaning "root"), which refers to its use since ancient times to repel insects, especially moths. The Old English word for mugwort is mucgwyrt where mucg-, could be a variation of the Old English word for "midge": mycg. Wort comes from the Old English wyrt (root/herb/plant), which is related to the Old High German wurz (root) and the Old Norse urt (plant). Species in the genus Artemisia called mugwort include: Artemisia absinthium L. — wormwood, traditionally used in the production of Absinthe. Artemisia argyi H.Lév. & Vaniot — Chinese mugwort, used in traditional Chinese medicine Artemisia douglasiana Besser ex Besser — Douglas mugwort or California mugwort, native to western North America Artemisia glacialis L. — alpine mugwort Artemisia granatensis Boiss. - Sierra Nevadan chamomille, endemic to the Sierra Nevada mountain range in the Iberian Peninsula Artemisia indica Willd. — Oriental mugwort Artemisia japonica Thunb. — Japanese mugwort Artemisia lactiflora Wall. ex DC. — white mugwort Artemisia norvegica Fr. — Norwegian mugwort Artemisia princeps Pamp.