Artemisia Pharm. Edinb. Artemifia vulgaris major C. B. Artemisia vulgaris Linn. Mugwort: a plant, with firm stalks, generally purplish; deeply divided leaves, resembling those of common wormwood, of a dark green colour above, and hoary underneath; and small, purplish, naked, discous flowers, standing erect, in spikes, on the tops of the branches. It is perennial, grows wild in fields and waste grounds, and flowers in June.

This plant has been chiefly recommended for promoting the uterine evacuations, and abating hysteric spasms; for which purposes, infusions of it have been drank as tea and used as a bath. It appears to be one of the mildest of the substances commonly made use of in such intentions; and may, perhaps, be of service, in some cases, where medicines of more activity would be improper.

The leaves have a light agreeable smell, especially when rubbed a little; but scarcely any other than an herbaceous taste. An extract made from them by water is likewise almost insipid; and an extract made by spirit has only a weak aromatic bitterishness. Baierus informs us, in a dissertation on this plant, that by fermenting a large quantity of it, and afterwards distilling, and cohobating the distilled water, a fragrant sapid liquor was obtained, with a thin fragrant oil on the surface. The flowery tops are considerably stronger than the leaves, and hence should seem to be preferable for medicinal use.