Ssukcha (쑥차), also called mugwort tea or wormwood tea, is a traditional Korean tea made from Korean mugwort (called ssuk (쑥) in Korean).[1][2] It is commonly consumed in both North and South Korea.[3]

Ssukcha

Type	Herbal tea
Country of origin	Korea
Ingredients	Korean mugwort

Preparation

The preparation involves leaves of mugwort harvested around the dano month (day 5 of the 5th lunar). This usually takes place around May and June in the Gregorian calendar). The leaves are washed, drained, chopped, and dried in a shaded area for 3‒10 days.[1][4] Dried mugwort leaves are then roasted in a round-bottomed deokkeum-sot (cauldron for roasting tea).[5][6] In a teapot, a handful of mugwort and a cup of water is added, and boiled for 5‒10 minutes.[4]

Medicinal use

Korean mugwort is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, and minerals.[4] In the past, mugwort tea was believed to help prevent and treat the common cold, reducing fever and inflammation, relieving pain, and lowering blood pressure.[4]

Other uses

Ssukcha may serve as a natural herbicide.[7]

References