California Mugwort Herbal Body Oil
This California Mugwort (Artemisia douglasiana) grows in my backyard in Northeast Los Angeles, on the ancestral homelands of the Tongva people of the Los Angeles Basin. I honor the Tongva and all Indigenous peoples — past and present — who have tended, known, and lived in relationship with this land and its medicines long before me.
This oil is a labor of love and deep communion. Mugwort was one of the first plants I formed a relationship with. I regularly sit with it, taste its leaves, and listen to what it has to say. Each harvest is carried out with care, honoring the cycles of the land and the energy of the plant.
The fragrant bundles dry in the doorways of my home before being infused for six weeks into high-quality imported Italian olive oil. A small amount of vodka is added to support preservation.
This deeply aromatic oil serves as a ritual moisturizing body oil, perfect for anointing the skin with plant magic. It can also be gently warmed and used as a heat pack in the days leading up to menstruation.
Indigenous peoples of California have long worked with Artemisia douglasiana for its protective, purifying, and pain-relieving qualities — preparing it as teas, smudges, and topical applications to ease muscle tension, support menstrual health, and invite vivid dreams. The dried herb is also traditionally used for yoni steaming.
Across cultures, mugwort has been revered as a dream-enhancer, a guardian of thresholds, and a soothing ally for the womb.
How to Use
Aromatherapy ~ inhale before rubbing into skin
On sore muscles
In the bath
For ritual/ceremony/anointing (place a few drops on top of head, forehead, palms of hands and bottoms of feet)
As a moisturizer (I like to apply it while my skin is still wet from bathing and take my time massaging it in)
Before bed for relaxation and setting the energy for dreaming. Use on hands, neck, forehead, feet & chest (also anywhere you want!)
In the week prior to menstruation
massage womb, hips & pelvis
apply oil over womb, cover with an old thick cloth (cotton or wool) and apply heat
During menstruation for cramps & relaxation.
Photo by Natalie Sparaccio
When NOT to Use:
While pregnant or trying to conceive.
When you need to be more grounded and/or alert.
DISCLAIMER
This oil is handcrafted as a ritual body oil for external use only. It is not intended for ingestion and is not sold as a food product or dietary supplement. I am not a licensed medical provider. The information shared here is for spiritual and traditional herbal education only and is not medical advice. Those who are pregnant, trying to conceive, breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or are taking medications should consult a licensed healthcare provider before using herbal products.