Mugwort.
Artemisia.
A tall, and not unhandsome plant, frequent on ditch banks, having divided leaves, and flowers like those of wormwood. It is a yard high or more: the stalk is round, striated, often purplish, firm, upright, and branched. The leaves stand irregularly upon it; they are large, and composed of a number of small parts, which are sharply indented and pointed. They are of a dusky green on the upper side and white underneath. The flowers are little and brownish, they stand in small tufts all along the upper parts of the branches, but they stand upright, whereas those of wormwood hang down. They often have a tinge of purple before they are quite opened, which adds greatly to the beauty of the plant.
The leaves of mugwort are to be used fresh or dried; they are best given in infusion, and they are excellent to promote the menses, and against all the common hysteric complaints.
