Mugwort Medicine: Plant Intelligence vs. Modern Supplements - From Genetic SNPs to Vagal Tone

Season two: Episode 10: Mugwort Medicine: Plant Intelligence vs. Modern Supplements - From Genetic SNPs to Vagal Tone

Listen on iTunes HERE
Listen on Spotify HERE
Tune in on YouTube HERE

For nearly three years, I've been developing a relationship with Mugwort—a plant that's become deeply meaningful and special to me. What began as curiosity about an herb has evolved into a profound appreciation for how this common "weed" might hold keys to our most perplexing modern health challenges.

Beyond the Supplement Mentality

As a nutritional therapy practitioner, I've seen firsthand the limitations of isolated supplements. While they certainly have their place, they can never replicate the intelligence of whole plants.

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) exemplifies this brilliantly. This unassuming plant contains hundreds of bioactive compounds working in concert:

- Bitter principles that activate digestive secretions from salivation through enzyme production to bile flow
- Nervine compounds that calm and regulate nervous system function
- Volatile oils that enhance bioavailability of its medicinal constituents
- Polyphenols that moderate the effects of more potent compounds

Unlike isolated supplements, Mugwort exhibits remarkable bidirectional effects—calming an overactive digestive system while stimulating an underactive one, offering both energizing and sedative properties depending on what the body needs.

The Constitutional Approach to Plant Medicine

One size never fits all in plant medicine. Traditional healing systems recognized that plants affect different people differently based on their constitutional type:

For Cold/Stagnant Types (Kapha/Earth):
Mugwort's warming energy helps counteract coldness and stagnation, making it ideal as a primary bitter used liberally.

For Hot/Excess Types (Pitta/Fire):
Mugwort should be used more moderately and best combined with cooling herbs like mint or lemon balm.

For Deficient Types (Vata/Air):
Mugwort pairs well with nourishing herbs and healthy fats to balance its potential drying effects.

This personalization is rarely discussed in the supplement world, where formulations are typically standardized without constitutional considerations.

The Methylation Connection: Wild Plants and Genetic Variants

I personally have the MTHFR C677T heterozygous genetic SNP, which reduces my ability to convert folate into its active form methylfolate by about 30-40%. This affects everything from neurotransmitter production to detoxification capacity.

Yet the most profound insight may be that these genetic variants became problematic largely when we lost our connection to wild plants. Consider:

- Wild greens like lambsquarters, dandelion, and Mugwort contain 3-8 times more folate than their cultivated counterparts
- These plants provide multiple natural folate forms, not just the single methylfolate form in supplements
- They deliver the entire spectrum of B-vitamins and minerals that support methylation pathways

Our ancestors likely consumed 200-600 mcg of folate daily from diverse wild greens, easily compensating for genetic variants like MTHFR.

The Vagus Nerve and Spinal Energy Connection

One of Mugwort's most fascinating applications comes from Pam Montgomery's book "Plant Spirit Healing." She describes the "All in One" treatment—addressing energy blockages at the critical junction between the skull and spine.

This has profound implications for the vagus nerve, which passes through this exact region. Proper energy flow here supports optimal vagal function, which is essential for:

- Proper digestive secretions and gut motility
- Nervous system recovery, especially after concussions or cervical injuries
- Communication between gut microbes and the brain

As someone who has experienced multiple concussions, I find this connection between spinal alignment, vagal tone, and digestive health particularly meaningful.

Practical Ways to Work with Mugwort

In the episode, I share numerous ways to incorporate Mugwort into daily life:

- Morning nervous system reset with Mugwort tea
- Adding Mugwort to cooking oils and fatty foods
- Creating Mugwort-infused oil for spinal application
- Using Mugwort steam inhalation for clearing stuck energy
- Placing Mugwort near your bed for enhanced dreams
- Seasonal cleansing protocols with Mugwort

I also discuss specific applications for different constitutional types and seasonal transitions.

Rewilding Your Approach to Health

If you're intrigued by this holistic approach to health, my Rewilded Wellness program takes these principles even further. We examine your unique needs through comprehensive HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) and Biome FX assessments, layer in constitutional insights, and integrate genetic SNP information to create truly personalized protocols.

Rewilded Wellness is about returning to nature's wisdom while using modern tools to understand your unique needs. Ready to discover how traditional wisdom and modern science can complement each other in your healing journey? Learn more about my Rewilded Wellness program → HERE