Yomogi – Artemisia princeps
Also known as Japanese Mugwort, Yomogi has been used as both a culinary herb and a traditional medicinal herb in Japan for many years.
Said to promote healthy intestinal flora, it is also used as leafy green where is isa added rice and soup dishes. It is sold in capsule form as a probiotic.
It is also used as a filling for dumplings and an essential ingredient in sweet mochi rice which is a sticky rice cake. Kusa mochi is the name given to these green rice cakes. Also used in Daifuku which is a sweet rice cake filled with a variety of fillings..
In Japan it is very common and grows along roadsides and in wooded areas. The foliage is a deep green and final cut.
You can find a tea made from the leaves for sale in some specialty stores. It is also said to be caffeine free.
Care
Yomogi will thrive in a humus rich well drained soil. It spreads by underground stolons and in good moist soil will quickly cover a good area.
Many gardeners choose to grow this herb in containers to prevent it spreading to far.
As with all herbs, consult with your doctor before using Yomogi.
