Mugwort

Mugwort, also called “lemon mugwort”, is a particularly atypical plant. Mugwort is a herbaceous perennial plant of the Asteraceae family. This family also includes tarragon and absinthe. Its Latin name “Artemisia” comes from the Greek goddess Artemis, protector of virgins, pregnant women, and the sick. This is why mugwort was used to soothe painful periods and ease childbirth. It originates from the temperate climates of Europe, North Africa, Asia, and the French Mediterranean basin. Mugwort favors sunny, dry soils. There are about 300 different species of mugwort.

Mugwort, a scent of the aromatic family

Olfactively, mugwort is described as camphorous, fresh, herbaceous, and bitter. Mugwort belongs to the aromatic olfactory family, alongside thyme, lavender, and rosemary. Mugwort is mainly used in masculine perfumery. The virile character of mugwort makes the fragrances that contain it a major asset for creators. Many perfumers have already created exceptional fragrances placing mugwort as a top note, as in Déclaration by Cartier, 1998. Here, mugwort is among the top notes alongside mandarin, coriander, and neroli. The heart notes are softer, with jasmine, iris, and cardamom. In the base notes, vetiver, cedarwood, amber, and leather accentuate the masculine side. The assertive character of this fragrance comes through thanks to mugwort and coriander. Déclaration is a masculine fragrance, joyful, enthusiastic, and generous. It is a fine success for Cartier, one that also draws a great deal of interest from women.

With which other fragrances can mugwort be paired?

Like all aromatics, mugwort pairs particularly well with fragrances from the chypre, fougère, and woody families. A very beautiful and famous fragrance that achieved a successful pairing of the aromatic and fougère families is Kouros by Yves Saint-Laurent. Here, mugwort appears as a top note, with coriander, bergamot, and laurel. As a heart note, Yves Saint-Laurent paired geranium, jasmine, carnation, and cinnamon. In the base, one discovers patchouli, vetiver, amber, and white musk. An ingenious pairing that gives Kouros an aromatically chypre harmony. Bold fragrances for a powerful and intense sillage. Even the bottle, aesthetic and athletic, was designed to convey the image of a god. A perfect story of a man.

Mugwort is an atypical plant which, thanks to its reference to the goddess Artemis, brings a strong and powerful symbol to fragrances. Belonging to the aromatic family, the mugwort facet is mainly associated with masculine fragrances, as a top note. This is where it finds its full place and brings its camphorous side. It is also found, however, in very beautiful pairings with the fougère, chypre, or woody families. Mugwort has given rise to very famous and very masculine fragrances.