Collecting and Identifying Mugwort in Central Park


The beginnings of a new video podcast called the Plant of the Week. Describes how to find and identify this psychoactive plant Mugwort in New York City's Central Park, how it affects dreams, and it's relation to wormwood used to make absinthe. Filmed by Steve Mirsky of Scientific American for the Science Talk podcast.

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25 Responses to “Collecting and Identifying Mugwort in Central Park”

  1. nbletter says:

    OTOH, a weed in the park has a negative carbon footprint as it's absorbed atmospheric carbon, used no fertilizer or pesticides to grow it, has no market running lights and refrigerators to store it, & you're getting exercise & saving a health-club membership and improving your health by walking around the park collecting it rather than taking the bus to buy it in the market. So do yourself and the environment a favor & get your herbs & veggies from the park, & just give them a good rinse.

  2. nbletter says:

    Seymour,
    It's ironic that many NYers will worry about eating park plants that might have sterile urine on them which washes off easily, but then go stuff their face with twinkies and hot dogs that are loaded with nitrates, sulfates, and who knows what other toxic chemicals that cannot be removed from the food, and have a huge carbon footprint for their manufacture and transport.

  3. aylavue says:

    Hey Nat, nice video! I just discovered mugwort recently when I was looking for plants to use as a mulch.
    -Salma

  4. cappygurl352 says:

    Mugwort was enlisted in the ingredients panel of my mochi box…. gah, I hope it isn't poisonous like the comment below say…

  5. samann95014 says:

    does this work as lucid dream enhancer?

  6. thesuperstoner420420 says:

    heres what u do, pick it, build a bong and make tea as it drys, when dry cut it up and hit it in ur bong with water and ice if u like, btw i prefer it from MTK NY it is a little cleaner out there than the city or suburbs

  7. onetwothreetrynhitme says:

    Nightmares? More like amazing dreams. Lol.

  8. nujazzplay says:

    I have been smoking this for a few years. I just like the nightmares that come with it's use.

  9. lotsofsloths says:

    I bought some seeds offline and I have ike a 2 foot plant now :)

  10. bronzeprince says:

    i live in northern va and there is a store near me called 13 magical moons in oqcoquan va they have mugwort and many herbs there. Check out the website or call this number 703-492-2211
    I just started using it and many other herbs which i make teas from. i smoked some last night.

  11. PsychicGirl25 says:

    Can you get high while still awake if you burn it like an incense? And can you get high from eating it? Will it give you a psychedelic experience while your awake if you eat enough of it?

  12. nmiles982 says:

    You can eat it, but be careful. A slightly different variety of the plant is used to make Absinthe liquor. The taller mugwort grows the stronger the psychoactive effect, but also the more toxic it is.

    For culinary use, generally you cut off the early leaves in April. For magickal or recreational use, this is the time to harvest it, but it is usually included in a dream pillow or incense. The aroma itself has the psychoactive effect.

    Good luck!

  13. PsychicGirl25 says:

    can you eat this as it is before going to sleep?

  14. dropdeadstoner says:

    I haven't smoked it or kept it out for a while, but for the four months its just been in the same room i sleep in, I've been having the most amazing, and intense dreams in my life, definatly psychoactive

  15. derrynator says:

    well i gotta get me some mugwort then

  16. RyanSC12 says:

    i dont know about astral travel but defiantly lucid dreams

  17. derrynator says:

    cant it also induce lucid dreams and even astral travel?

  18. nbletter says:

    Like I say in the video, not better or worse dreams, just more vivid. Try the tea or putting it under your pillow instead.

  19. MountAnalogue says:

    I smoked a ton of this shit and nothing happened. They said it would make my dreams better, but that was bullshit.

  20. placy5 says:

    dose it grow in oklahoma

  21. fungiscience says:

    i have artemisia something in my pasture, but i have no idea species it is.

  22. fungiscience says:

    are you stoned botaNY65? or just a dick?

  23. nbletter says:

    Actually most sources put Artemisia douglasiana as a synonym for Artemisia vulgaris var. douglasiana, and this species/variety only grows in the Western US, not New York where this was filmed.

  24. magewomyn says:

    Lovely video, except the plant ID is incorrect. Yes it is mugwort, however not Artemisia Vulgaris. This is Artemisia Douglasiana, specifically noted for it's strong aroma. Vulgaris is broader leafed, and has almost no noticeable scent. Vulgaris is commonly used for its mineral content in vinegars and both can be used as infusion in oil.

  25. herbalcat says:

    Awesome explanation of mugwort! I have it growing (huge) in my backyard, and spreading. I sell it as smudge sticks, which can be burned or hung near your bed or under your pillow for vivid dreams.

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