The plant is named after the ancient Greek goddess Artemis, a goddess of virginity, animals, hunting and childbirth. The species name vulgaris means common.It usually grows best in loamy soils that are nitrogen-rich and slightly alkaline. It prefers sunny places, and it can easily be found along roadsides, weedy and waste areas. Plant Description Mugwort is a tall shrub-like perennial plant of the sunflower family. It has purple angular stems and can grow up to 5 feet tall. Mugwort contains volatile oil, flavonoids, a sesquiterpene lactone, coumarin derivatives and triterpenes.Mugwort is most commonly used to treat disorders of the digestive tract and aid in all digestive functions and is said to have properties that are anti-fungal, antibacterial, expectorative and antiasthmatic.