Mugwort has been used for thousands of years. Its uses range from insect repellent and as an ingredient in alcohol to a treatment option for a wide range of health conditions, including osteoarthritis, digestive conditions, and menstrual cramps, to name a few.

People have smoked or consumed the dried leaves as a way to promote lucid dreaming. You can make mugwort leaves into a tea by infusing them in boiling water. Some people also smoke the plant as an alternative to tobacco.