‘Notes from the Apothecary’: Mugwort Musings

Ài yė (Artemisiae argyi Folium)

Ài yė, commonly known as mugwort, hails from the category of Herbs that Regulate the Blood. Ài yė is a warming herb that can be used internally as a part of herbal medicine formulas often used for gynecological needs to stop uterine pain or support fertility as the acrid flavor helps to disperse warmth throughout the body and the bitter flavor helps to condense and drain excess dampness within the body.

In everyday East Asian medicine practice, the herbalists at Five Point are often burning a compressed version of Ài yė to use externally in the form of pole moxa to help a pregnant patient turn a fetus in the breech position or with Ibuki moxa to warm specific points to increase circulation and support the immune system. The most popular product containing Ài yė is in the form of moxa packs that contain loose herbs that will warm with the goal of helping decrease menstrual cramping, soothe low back pain, or warm cold hands.

This is a product that is nice to have in your home apothecary, and is included in our Five Point First Aid Kit alongside other helpful products helpful to have ready for use. Please ask your practitioner about moxa packs or other Ài yė products to see if they could be supportive tools for your treatment goals as we transition seasons from Winter to Spring.

All proceeds from our Apothecary items will directly support developing more community education and sliding scale seasonal offerings in the months to come. As always, we appreciate your support!