In many parts of China, early summer carries a distinct scent. Bundles of mugwort hang from doorways during the Dragon Boat Festival, placed there to repel insects and, in traditional belief, ward off illness.
The same plant, growing wild across much of the country, moves easily between ritual, food, and medicine.
Known by names such as qi ai and jiu cao, mugwort has long been valued for its warming properties in traditional Chinese medicine. Its roots and leaves are used to address conditions associated with cold and dampness, including digestive discomfort, diarrhea, and menstrual irregularities. In some folk practices, it is also used in attempts to manage high blood pressure.
That dual role shows up most clearly in the kitchen.
In spring, households gather young mugwort shoots and leaves and cook them as vegetables. Older plants are dried and stored for later use. A common preparation involves placing dried mugwort inside a chicken with slices of ginger, then steaming the dish. Fresh leaves may also be mixed with chopped chicken before cooking, or added to soups with dried longan, goji berries, and codonopsis root.
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Some families keep dried mugwort roots at home, ready for simple remedies when needed.
Around the Qingming Festival, mugwort takes on a more ceremonial role. Fresh leaves are mixed with glutinous rice flour to make cao zai guo, a soft green rice cake filled with peanuts, sesame, or sugar. In Taiwan, savory versions are also common. The cakes are steamed and eaten as part of seasonal tradition.
Beyond the kitchen, mugwort has long been part of everyday home treatments.
For coughs linked to cold exposure, people may boil the leaves and use the liquid as a warm foot soak. Another method involves simmering mugwort with scallions and drinking the decoction to induce sweating.
Dried mugwort can also be processed into a soft, fibrous material and used to make pillows, traditionally believed to help relieve headaches associated with postpartum recovery or cold exposure.
It is sometimes fashioned into wraps applied to the abdomen, particularly for elderly people, children with cold-related digestive issues, or women experiencing menstrual discomfort. In other cases, mugwort is placed in socks to address damp-related foot conditions.
Historical records describe a range of customs tied to the herb during the Dragon Boat Festival, including wearing mugwort ornaments, drinking mugwort-infused alcohol, eating mugwort cakes, and burning the leaves.
Mugwort also appears in the form of tea.
Unlike many commonly consumed teas, which are considered cooling in traditional Chinese dietary theory, mugwort tea is regarded as warming. It is used to dispel internal cold and dampness, support digestion, and promote circulation, making it suitable for year-round consumption within that framework.
Its most enduring role, however, lies in moxibustion.
This therapy, related to acupuncture, involves burning dried mugwort near specific points on the body. References to the practice appear in early medical texts such as The Spiritual Pivot and Recipes for Fifty-Two Ailments. By the Eastern Jin dynasty, physician Ge Hong had already recorded the use of mugwort smoke in treatment.
Traditional sayings reflect how central the herb once was to everyday care. One holds that keeping aged mugwort at home could reduce the need for a doctor. Another, attributed to the philosopher Mencius, suggests that long-standing illness requires well-aged mugwort.
In practice, moxibustion is more often associated with chronic conditions than acute illness. It has been used in attempts to address respiratory diseases such as asthma and tuberculosis, as well as digestive problems, joint pain linked to cold exposure, and conditions associated with weakened vitality.
Regular application at specific points, such as Zusanli, is traditionally believed to support immune function, particularly among older adults.
Modern research has identified a range of chemical compounds in mugwort, including volatile oils, tannins, flavonoids, and trace elements. Studies suggest these components may have antibacterial and antiviral properties, along with effects such as easing cough, reducing asthma symptoms, and calming the nervous system.
In clinical contexts, mugwort has been used in the treatment of gynecological and respiratory conditions. Laboratory findings also point to possible roles in immune support and temperature regulation.
