How to Make Mugwort Tea: Brewing Tips and Tricks

Co-authored by Jessica Gibson Reviewed by Steve Schwartz

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 Fact Checked

VIDEO

Mugwort has been used in traditional medicine and folk remedies for centuries. If you're interested in its digestive or calming properties, brew a cup of mugwort tea. Mugwort has a grassy and slightly bittersweet taste that's pleasant on its own. In this article, we'll walk you through the process of steeping a simple cup of mugwort tea.

Things You Should Know

Start with either dried or fresh mugwort leaves. Steep them in boiling water for 5 to 15 minutes.^{[1]
X
Expert Source

Steve Schwartz
Master Tea Blender and Founder of Art of Tea

Expert Interview}
Mugwort is thought to aid insomnia and irregular menstrual cycles, and has been proven to have antioxidant and antifungal properties.
Mix mugwort with white tea, camomile, cinnamon, and nutmeg to make a tea for lucid dreaming.

1

Collect dried or fresh mugwort leaves.

Download Article

Most people use dried mugwort since the flavor is more mellow. Fresh mugwort has a stronger, bitter flavor, but it's completely fine to use fresh leaves in your tea. Gather 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried leaves (1.2 to 2.4 g) or pick a few fresh leaves to make 1 serving of mugwort tea.
- Mugwort is thought to treat insomnia, nerve disorders, and irregular menstrual cycles although more research is needed. Studies have found that mugwort does have antioxidant and antifungal properties.^{[2]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  
  Go to source}

2

Place the mugwort in a tea strainer.

Download Article

Use an infuser basket instead of a tea ball and put it in a mug or teapot. Tea balls pack the leaves too tightly, so the water can't infuse properly. Tea baskets allow for a lot more circulation, so you'll get great-tasting tea every time.
- Feel free to use large paper filters—these also give the mugwort tea more room to circulate.

3

Pour boiling water over the mugwort.

Download Article

Add about 1 c (240 ml) of water for each serving of tea.^{[3]
X
Expert Source

Steve Schwartz
Master Tea Blender and Founder of Art of Tea

Expert Interview} To make a pot of mugwort tea, just increase the amount of water and mugwort leaves. Keep in mind that you can adjust the amount of water depending on your taste—if you like a stronger taste, use half as much water.
- For the best taste, use freshly boiled water.

4

Cover and steep the tea for 5 to 15 minutes.

Download Article

The amount of time you steep the tea is completely up to you. If you prefer a mild, delicate flavor, steep the tea for just 5 minutes.^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Steve Schwartz
Master Tea Blender and Founder of Art of Tea

Expert Interview} For a really strong, robust cup of mugwort tea, let it steep up to 15 minutes.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- If you're not sure, taste a spoonful of the tea after 5 minutes. If it seems weak to you, continue to steep and taste the tea every few minutes.

5

Strain the tea and add sweetener if you like.

Download Article

Remove the infuser basket or tea filter. Give the tea a taste and add a little honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup if you'd like it to be a bit sweeter. Mugwort tea has a naturally grassy or bittersweet taste.
- Throw out the old mugwort leaves or toss them onto your compost pile.
- For a mugwort latte, stir in warm milk or plant-based milk like oat or soy.
- Add your favorite spices, too—try a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for instance.
EXPERT TIP

Steve Schwartz
Master Tea Blender
Steve Schwartz is a Master Tea Blender and the Founder of Art of Tea based in Los Angeles, California. He studied preventative medicine at the Ayurvedic Institute which first sparked his interest in the homeopathic impact of plants on the body and mind. With over 20 years of experience, Steve has lectured sold out tea blending classes for World Tea Conventions and frequently travels to offer educational programs on tea and tea blending. He is the best selling author of his book, Art of Tea: A Journey of Ritual, Discovery, and Impact. He also worked as a Tea Blending Program Developer for the World Tea Expo, and served as a Tasting Judge, Evaluator and Panelist for World Tea Expo Entries of Teas and Blends in 2016. Art of Tea is an award-winning importer and wholesaler of organic and specialty teas, and their tea club is a 2 time winner of Food & Wine’s best overall tea subscription. Steve has been featured in Forbes, the LA Times, LA Magazine, and more.

Steve Schwartz
Master Tea Blender

For some especially delicious and unique teas, try Art of Tea’s handcrafted organic teas and botanicals. All their teas are thoughtfully selected directly from growers, each infused with its own story.

If you buy through these links, we may earn a commission.

6

Pour it over ice if you want a cold drink.

Download Article

If it's too hot for a cup of mugwort, drink it chilled! Just because it's toasty out doesn't mean you have to forgo the benefits of your mugwort tea. Fill a glass with ice and slowly pour the mugwort tea into it. Add sweeteners if you like and enjoy.
- Steep a few leaves of peppermint or spearmint with the mugwort if you'd like an extra-cooling flavor.^{[6]
  X
  Research source}

7

Add chamomile for a calming blend.

Download Article

Mugwort, black tea, and chamomile make a tea that helps you relax. If you're drinking mugwort for its meditative qualities, add an equal amount of chamomile buds to the mugwort. Then, add twice as much black tea to a strainer and steep your mindful mugwort blend for 2 minutes.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Drink your tea in the evening or whenever you need a bit of peace.

8

Add white tea for a lucid dreaming blend.

Download Article

Mugwort, white tea, chamomile, and spices help you dream. If you're hoping for prophetic dreams, make a tea blend of equal parts white tea and mugwort. Add 1/2 part of chamomile buds along with a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg. Then, steep your tea and sip it just before you go to sleep.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Some people place their dream journal right next to their bed, so they can write down prophetic or revealing dreams as soon as they wake.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

For mugwort tea that aids in digestion, add mint, sage, or fennel.^{[9]
X
Research source} Research shows that it can actually stimulate appetite and treat stomach inflammation.^{[10]
X
Trustworthy Source

PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
It's generally safe to drink up to 3 cups (710 ml) of mugwort tea a day, but stop if you develop a rash, hives, or signs of an allergic reaction.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Mugwort is very similar to ragweed. If you're allergic to ragweed pollen, you may want to avoid mugwort since it can trigger an allergic response.^{[11]
X
Trustworthy Source

PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Avoid drinking mugwort during pregnancy because it can cause uterine contractions. Since more research is needed to determine if it's safe to use while breastfeeding, it's best to avoid it.^{[12]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0