Connect with the plants and you'll find yourself in love with the earth and your own wild nature. You don't need human language to learn about plants; when you live with the plants, they speak to you in your dreams and whisper in your womb.

But language and words are useful tools. Everyone, no matter what their mother tongue, uses the same plant language: the botanical or, more simply, the scientific names.

Scientific names may seem daunting, but your effort will be repaid a hundredfold. Plants in the same family often have very similar properties, allowing you to learn how to use hundreds of plants as quickly as learning how to use one.

The Asteraceae family, like all plant families, is sub-divided into groups called genera (plural). Each genus (singular) contains plants that are closely related, and usually interchangeable in use, though individually different. Each individual plant in a genus has the same first name, but a different second or species name. For instance, the genus Echinacea in the Asteraceae family includes E. pallida, E. purpurea, and E. augustifolia, all of which are powerful anti-infective agents.

Among the many genera in the Asteraceae family, one of my favorites is the Artemisia genus, named after the goddess Artemis. It contains many marvelously-aromatic, highly-medicinal, dazzlingly-decorative, safely-psychedelic, and more-or-less edible plants. Found in gardens, waysides, and waste lots throughout the world, there's probably an Artemisia growing near you.

Artemis is Apollo's sister, and Queen of the witches. She is the goddess of the moon, the herbalist, the midwife, the birthing woman, and the hunter. Artemis is an untamed wild woman who runs free with the deer and the hounds. She is the woman who runs with the wolves. She is "Mother of all Creatures." "Leader of the Sacred Bitches." "Great She-Bear." She is owned by no man, and thus she is "Forever Virgin." And the plants named after her share her qualities.

If you see an Artemisia growing beside the door -- or painted on it -- you've arrived at the home of an herbalist or a midwife, a home guarded by Artemis.

The silver light of Artemis's moon shines from the leaves of her plants, making them appear to be lightly frosted, or to glow subtly. Most Artemisias are perennials that are tolerant of drought, poor soil, and extremes of heat and cold, making them ideal allies for even the most novice of gardeners. Artemisias grow best from cuttings, or transplants, not seeds, with the exception of A. annua, Sweet Annie, which lives one year only and is grown from seed.

Artemisias produce hundreds of different aromatic oils, including camphor and thujone. This keeps them bug-free and provides us with medicines. Aromatic oils in fresh Artemisias may be extracted into vinegar, vodka, or fat such as olive oil and used externally to counter bacterial and fungal infections, and internally to prevent or cure digestive parasites in wo/man and beast. Small doses are said to improve appetite and digestion.

Dried Artemisias retain these oils and are frequently used to make long-lasting, aromatic bouquets, wreaths, and swags, as well as dream pillows, sachets, and magical charms. When dirt floors were common, Artemisias were popular as strewing herbs. And don't forget that all Artemisias are useful as smudges. Sagebrush, A. tridentata is the most famous of all smudges, but, for a change, try cronewort (A. vulgaris), the ally of dreamers.

Many books call Artemisia vulgaris "mugwort," a name she despises. "I give you the dreams of wise old women," she told me, "not the drunken fantasies of those with their noses in mugs. Can't you see my silver hair on the underside of every leaf?"

Tincture, vinegar (my favorite), or even a tea of cronewort can tonify and improve the urinary, digestive, hormonal, nervous, and circulatory systems. "I'm everything an old woman wants," she confides with a smile. "I comfort those who grieve; I stir those who are depressed. I remove irritability and ease burdened joints. I bring peace and sleep, rest and reassurance."

Cronewort is also beloved by midwives for easing the pain of labor, quelling menstrual cramps, and effectively treating heavy bleeding and other uterine complaints. And don't forget her "supernatural" powers! This most common (that's what "vulgaris" means) Artemisia is a powerful witch who will spin a spiraling spell for you -- if you ask her nicely.

Wormwood (A. absinthium) is perhaps the best known member of this genus. It is the strongest and most dangerous of the Artemisias. As the main ingredient in the mind-altering liquor absinthe, it stimulates mid-brain activity and increases creativity. (Repeated use disturbs the central nervous system, however; and overuse can lower seizure thresholds.) Herbalists like myself use tincture of fresh wormwood, 3-5 drops taken frequently throughout the day, to prevent giardia, dysentery, amoebas, and other parasitical infections. This bitter, bitter tincture is also useful to ease indigestion, improve liver function, and stimulate production of bile.

Sweet Annie (A. annua), known in China as qing hao, is becoming quite the star these days. Dried and used in large daily doses, this Artemisia can prevent malaria. Drug companies hope to isolate the active ingredient and produce a drug that will even cure malarias resistant to current drugs.

Invite Artemis into your garden -- or meet her in the wild places she loves. Open your heart, your head, and your womb to her. Invite her sexy beautiful green magic into your circle. It's easy and fun.

 

Some Artemisia species beloved by herbalists and gardeners

A. abrotanum (southernwood) -- divinatory

A. absinthium (wormwood) -- medicinal

A. afra (African wormwood) -- beauty

A. annua (sweet Annie, qing hao) -- medicinal

A. camphorata (camphor-scented sothernwood) -- divinatory

A. chinensis (moxa) -- medicinal

A. drancuncula (tarragon, little dragon) -- cook's favorite