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Artemisia, also known as wormwood, has a long and fascinating history across cultures—not only as a medicinal herb but as a spiritual and sensory ally. Before the introduction of hops, it was commonly used, alongside herbs like ground ivy, to flavor beer. It was harvested during flowering, dried, and boiled with malt to create a strong herbal decoction that enriched the beer’s body and aroma.

In Anglo-Saxon tradition, Artemisia was known as waremodh, a term that could be translated as “aware-mood.” It was the lead herb in the “Nine Herbs Charm,” a 10th-century Anglo-Saxon incantation recorded in the Lacnunga manuscripts, blending medicine, magic, and spirituality. This shows its role not just in bodily healing but in mood, presence, and ritual.

Medicinal Uses

All parts of the Artemisia plant have been used in herbal medicine, particularly in relation to the digestive and nervous systems, menstrual issues, and parasitic infections. Its properties include

• Anthelmintic (expels worms)
• Antiseptic
• Antispasmodic
• Cholagogue (stimulates bile production)
• Sweat-inducing
• Digestive stimulant
• Emmenagogue (stimulates menstruation)
• Expectorant
• Neurotonic

Modern studies have confirmed its antibacterial effects, with leaf extracts shown to inhibit bacterial strains like Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Pseudomonas. Its essential oil—absinthe—is prized for supporting digestion and appetite, improving nutrient absorption, and even assisting in fat metabolism.

Artemisia is also known to be a powerful "dream plant", enhancing dream clarity and vividness, a quality connected to the ancient understanding of the pineal gland—often described as the “seat of consciousness.” During REM sleep, this gland activates and releases melatonin, helping us remain attuned to the cycles of night and day. Artemisia is believed to stimulate this activity, opening doors to dreamwork, self-reflection, and creativity.

Myth, Movement, and the Feminine Body

Historically linked to the Greek goddess Artemis, protector of the moon and wild nature, Artemisia holds symbolic and practical power. Artemis was a guardian of childbirth and menstruation, and the herb’s capacity to stimulate blood flow and ease menstrual pain aligns with this archetype. In this way, Artemisia connects directly to the female body, lunar cycles, and movement as ritual.

In holistic dance practices, Artemisia serves as a plant teacher—its essence used in rituals, tea, or infused oils to aid embodiment, deepen breath, and facilitate trance states. Incorporating the plant into somatic work, vocal release, or improvisational movement can open pathways to ancestral memory, emotional healing, and sensory grounding.

It becomes not just a remedy, but a choreographic collaborator—inviting us to explore inner rhythms and hidden narratives through movement.

Movement, Permaculture & the Role of Healing Plants

In a permacultural context, Artemisia thrives on dry soil and minimal intervention, making it a resilient ally in sustainable land care. This mirrors its effects on humans: strength through adaptability. Permaculture encourages observation and interaction—the same principles applied in dance improvisation and site-specific performance. As dancers, we learn from the plants how to attune to rhythms, decompose old habits, and regenerate creativity.

In residencies and research combining movement and nature, Artemisia has been used in:

• Movement rituals in gardens and forests
• Herbal footbaths and body scrubs before rehearsals
• Guided dream journaling with Artemisia tea
• Creative writing from a “plant’s perspective”
• Somatic workshops combining medicinal plant walks with breathwork and improvisation

By dancing with plants, we reestablish a direct, intuitive relationship with the Earth.

Fun Fact & Caution

Did you know? Artemisia is used in the production of absinthe, the infamous green spirit once banned for its psychoactive compound, thujone. Today, EU regulations cap thujone content at 10mg per liter. Artemisia is also found in vermouth, whose name comes from the German “Wermut”—meaning wormwood.

⚠️ Caution: Artemisia is not safe for everyone. It is contraindicated for:

• Pregnant and breastfeeding women (it stimulates the uterus)
• People with neurological sensitivity or high excitability
• Those with gastrointestinal conditions

Final Thought

Artemisia is more than a medicinal herb—it is a bridge between body, land, and dream. Through movement practices, dance, and permacultural rituals, it reminds us of the body's connection to seasonal cycles, emotional tides, and the deep wisdom of the natural world.

As we reclaim the use of ancient plants in modern healing, we also reclaim embodied knowledge—dancing with the earth, with memory, and with each other.

Marianna Sfyridi
Pharmacist MPharm (King’s College London)
Dementia Advisor UK | Dance Artist | Somatic Facilitator & Permaculture