Collecting and Identifying Mugwort in Central Park

[karonvick]

This is sad... He's talking about an herb that grows readilly in a park... and it becomes a debate on laws.. too bad missing something here.

[KannibalKenny]

I was introduced to this stuff not too long ago. It DOES in fact intensify your dreams, but don't expect it to always be pleasant! Also, don't abuse it! Mugwort does contain thujone, which is toxic in large amounts. I smoked it a few times a day for 4 days in a row and started getting headaches! not good!

[westvillagenycity]

I grew up eating in Okinawa. Leaves were mixed in with left over miso soup and rice. Eat as Congee ,porridge, consistency. The leaves gives definitely distinctive taste and aroma. It's an acquire taste. I should go out to Central Park for picking my leaves for dinner!

[nbletter]

@westvillagenycity Very interesting! I've heard of mugwort being used in mochi and Korean soups but never in miso and congee. Thanks for the info!

[MrHumbolthippy]

do us a better favor and harvest properly and replant instead of just pulling up for education vid all he did is pull branch,he didnt even [ask]cut it so proper regrowth,im really just think u are blissfull.hungry people dont have camera crew and after your guy explains to everyone how artesma is drug u go and tell us its a veggie ?and go pick in park wich is against national and ferderal law ,by the way,u need permit to pick mushrooms also.why do u act like your helping peoplei lik vid not u

[nbletter]

Mugwort is a very invasive weed in NY, growing by the thousands of plants in any empty lot, so you're actually making more space for native plants by harvesting it here. It is also NOT illegal whatsoever. I've talked to many people in the Central Park Conservancy and US Forest Service and they've told me it's not illegal to pick plants, especially weeds such as this, for personal use. Just make sure you deal with rangers who know the rules as many will think picking any plant is illegal.

[nbletter]

OTOH, a weed in the park has a negative carbon footprint as it's absorbed atmospheric carbon, used no fertilizer or pesticides to grow it, has no market running lights and refrigerators to store it, & you're getting exercise & saving a health-club membership and improving your health by walking around the park collecting it rather than taking the bus to buy it in the market. So do yourself and the environment a favor & get your herbs & veggies from the park, & just give them a good rinse.

[nbletter]

Seymour,

It's ironic that many NYers will worry about eating park plants that might have sterile urine on them which washes off easily, but then go stuff their face with twinkies and hot dogs that are loaded with nitrates, sulfates, and who knows what other toxic chemicals that cannot be removed from the food, and have a huge carbon footprint for their manufacture and transport.

[MrHumbolthippy]

@nbletter thanks for vid i like alot think yer coments are wrong on text, not reality for anyone whom is not forager ,of course please excuse that i have only seen ur park and not had opertunity to walk throgh gardens full of vegies,in califorinia it is against law.and we spray chemicals that last for over 5 years.i could see how urine is washed ect ok ,yet u would never fertilize your food in last 2-3 weeks unless u are corparate

[cappygurl352]

Mugwort was enlisted in the ingredients panel of my mochi box.... gah, I hope it isn't poisonous like the comment below say...

[MrHumbolthippy]

@cappygurl352 not sure what moxioh wait moxibustion,either way not toxic,and if put in product by chinese they are traditional and safe practicers of medicine.u have to take plant in certain way and amoun to get efects.anyone prescribing is probably not like idiots on page tellin how to get high off of a plnt.it sounds like weed its not .diferent medicine dont worry,peace

[samann95014]

does this work as lucid dream enhancer?

[thesuperstoner420420]

heres what u do, pick it, build a bong and make tea as it drys, when dry cut it up and hit it in ur bong with water and ice if u like, btw i prefer it from MTK NY it is a little cleaner out there than the city or suburbs

[nujazzplay]

I have been smoking this for a few years. I just like the nightmares that come with it's use.

[onetwothreetrynhitme]

Nightmares? More like amazing dreams. Lol.

[bronzeprince]

i live in northern va and there is a store near me called 13 magical moons in oqcoquan va they have mugwort and many herbs there. Check out the website or call this number 703-492-2211

I just started using it and many other herbs which i make teas from. i smoked some last night.

[MrHumbolthippy]

@bronzeprince what a real good guy hmm a prince?yea cool ,

[PsychicGirl25]

can you eat this as it is before going to sleep?

[nmiles982]

You can eat it, but be careful. A slightly different variety of the plant is used to make Absinthe liquor. The taller mugwort grows the stronger the psychoactive effect, but also the more toxic it is.

For culinary use, generally you cut off the early leaves in April. For magickal or recreational use, this is the time to harvest it, but it is usually included in a dream pillow or incense. The aroma itself has the psychoactive effect.

Good luck!

[PsychicGirl25]

Can you get high while still awake if you burn it like an incense? And can you get high from eating it? Will it give you a psychedelic experience while your awake if you eat enough of it?

[dropdeadstoner]

I haven't smoked it or kept it out for a while, but for the four months its just been in the same room i sleep in, I've been having the most amazing, and intense dreams in my life, definatly psychoactive

[derrynator]

cant it also induce lucid dreams and even astral travel?

[RyanSC12]

i dont know about astral travel but defiantly lucid dreams

[derrynator]

well i gotta get me some mugwort then

[MountAnalogue]

I smoked a ton of this shit and nothing happened. They said it would make my dreams better, but that was bullshit.

[nbletter]

Like I say in the video, not better or worse dreams, just more vivid. Try the tea or putting it under your pillow instead.

[bronzeprince]

@MountAnalogue I hear you. I smoked some and it made me have horrible dreams. I thought it was bs also but it did make me hear like voices or angels from another demension. It make my chest hurt. Not good!

[placy5]

dose it grow in oklahoma

[fungiscience]

i have artemisia something in my pasture, but i have no idea species it is.

[magewomyn]

Lovely video, except the plant ID is incorrect. Yes it is mugwort, however not Artemisia Vulgaris. This is Artemisia Douglasiana, specifically noted for it's strong aroma. Vulgaris is broader leafed, and has almost no noticeable scent. Vulgaris is commonly used for its mineral content in vinegars and both can be used as infusion in oil.

[nbletter]

Actually most sources put Artemisia douglasiana as a synonym for Artemisia vulgaris var. douglasiana, and this species/variety only grows in the Western US, not New York where this was filmed.

[herbalcat]

Awesome explanation of mugwort! I have it growing (huge) in my backyard, and spreading. I sell it as smudge sticks, which can be burned or hung near your bed or under your pillow for vivid dreams.

[nbletter]

BatoNY65, perhaps you have not had absinthe with the psychoactive component thujone left in it that has been shown to affect the GABA neurotransmitter receptors. Most of the absinthe available in the US has this thujone removed, although it is legal, since some people say it has detrimental long term side effects.

No need to post flame bait until you educate yourself as well.

[BatoNY65]

Absinthe is "extremely psycho active"? What a moron. Edumacate yourself first.

[fungiscience]

are you stoned botaNY65? or just a dick?

[dunn808]

is it smokable? I heard it was, but isn't it toxic.

[nbletter]

Yes it can be smoked to calm, and enhance concentration, focus, and dreams as well, but it should be mixed with the dried leaves of mullein to reduce the impact of the smoke on the lungs. Mullein is a very fuzzy-leaved, yellow-flowered, 4-foot tall weed that grows on roadside and disturbed areas. Great for asthma attacks as well.

[dunn808]

thanks.

[nigssonparade]

is muwort and lions tail a good mix 2 smoke? any sideffects?

[MrHumbolthippy]

@nbletter that it ?well thanks i like good info ,no metion of rest of family?is emphasis on plants in newyyork park or thujne,or foraging i like either way ,cool i live in land of giants,and [cedar] forage harvest everthing i find lots of cedar out here ,,thanks for pointing out that they make or extract most of thujn out of absith,thats good reportin,peace

[cbtj19]

Are all species of mugwort toxic? (containing thujone) I know Japanese & Korean dishes often contain mugwort (variety: Artemisia princeps). Just wanted to know so I can avoid eating them.

[ipen5]

mugwort contains many things, i am not sure if it contains thujone, but i definatly know wormwood contains high amounts of thujone, thujone is not addictive though. you can smoke wormwood or make it into hashish the same way you would as pot and if you smoke the hash it can last for months

[snaip]

Mugwort contains thujone, but not even closely to the amount that can be found in wormwood.

[nbletter]

I will as soon as I finish my PhD! In the meantime, here are a few other videos I'm in describing tasty plants that you can find on YouTube:

a little foraging/cooking video I just made with my friend Sunny last weekend to give you a taste of my Central Park edible plant walks.

Search for "Savage in the Wild 7"

A NY Times video where I extoll the virtues of my favorite fruit, the Mangosteen:

Search for "Meet the Mangosteen"

[Russticle]

I've had a plant of mugwort that I planted in my backyard 3 years ago, it wasnt until now that i've hedged it out completely that i've taken interest in actually using it, thanks for your incite. you should do more!