Botanical Overview
Artemisia capillaris, commonly known as Capillaris Wormwood or Yin Chen Hao, is a member of the Asteraceae family. It is native to East Asia, including China, Korea, and Japan. The whole plant or herb is used medicinally.
Energetics
This herb is traditionally considered cooling and drying with a bitter taste and descending directionality. It has a relaxing tonicity and primarily influences the qi.
Primary Actions
- Choleretic
- Hepatoprotective
- Bitter
- Diuretic
- Antioxidant
Indications
Western
- Jaundice
- Hepatitis
- Dyspepsia
- Biliary disorders
- Fluid retention
Syndromes
- Liver dysfunction
- Gallbladder stagnation
- Edema
TCM
- Jaundice
- Hypochondriac pain
- Fever
- Bitter taste in mouth
- Urinary difficulty
Syndromes
- Damp-Heat in Liver and Gallbladder
- Liver Qi stagnation
Ayurveda
No well-documented traditional uses or syndromes.
Unani
No well-documented traditional uses or syndromes.
Constituents & Mechanisms
Main phytochemical groups include flavonoids, coumarins, chlorogenic acids, essential oils, and sesquiterpene lactones, which contribute to its hepatoprotective and choleretic effects.
Dosage & Preparations
- Decoction 3-9 g daily
- Extract (standardized) per product instructions
- Tincture 1:5 25-40% ethanol 2-5 mL 1-3 times daily
Safety & Contraindications
Generally safe when used appropriately; avoid in pregnancy due to insufficient safety data, and in individuals allergic to Artemisia. May interact with hepatoprotective drugs and diuretics; use with caution.
Astrological Correspondences
No reliably sourced planetary or elemental rulers identified.
Selected References
- Pharmacological effects of Artemisia capillaris in liver diseases (Kim, H. J. et al., 2017)
- Artemisia capillaris Thunb. – Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica (2014)
- World Health Organization Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants (2005)