What it is: Mugwort (Artemisia argyi) is a perennial herb in the daisy family, widely grown across China. Its leaves carry a soft grey-white underside and release a warm, slightly bitter herbal aroma when rubbed. It has been recorded in Chinese poetry and herbal tradition for centuries.

How to use & application scenes: Dried mugwort is traditionally hung or burned around the Duanwu (Dragon Boat) Festival. It can be burned alone or blended with herbs such as atractylodes and acorus as a daily room incense for study, tea room, or living space. It is also used in sachets and herbal bath bundles.

Craft: Leaves are harvested in summer before flowering, selecting thick, green leaves with dense underside fuzz. They are sun-dried or shade-dried, then coarse stems are removed and whole leaves are kept. Dried mugwort should be stored sealed and away from light to protect its aroma and prevent moisture damage.

Cultural meaning: Mugwort carries the Duanwu memory of cleansing and wishing for well-being. It is a representative herb in Chinese incense culture, linking season, family, and rural life — a simple yet enduring note in Eastern living aesthetics.