MUGWORT

Mugwort has a green, herbaceous smell with a cool camphor edge and a touch of bitterness. Its sharp aromatic character can recall crushed sage or rosemary, with quieter woody and earthy nuances underneath. In perfume, it can interrupt sweetness and give a composition the more pungent character of crushed herbs.

Common mugwort is Artemisia vulgaris. Essential oil is distilled from its leaves and flowers, although a fragrance listing the note does not necessarily contain that oil. The botanical name helps distinguish it from other Artemisia materials that may share similar common names. Its herbal freshness is the useful thread to follow: the finished fragrance may emphasise the cool edge, the greenery or the softer woody background.