Artemisia capillaris
Yin Chen Hao
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Artemisia genus in the family Compositae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Compositae
- Genus
- Artemisia
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 0.5 m
- Spread
- 0.5 m
- Fertility
- Wind
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Wind
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Although no reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, skin contact with some members of this genus can cause dermatitis or other allergic reactions in some people[8].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Leaves and stems - soaked and boiled[4].
- Plant part
- Leaves
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Yin Chen Hao has been used in Chinese herbal medicine for over 2,000 years. It is considered to be a bitter and cooling herb, clearing \"damp heat\" from the liver and gall ducts and relieving fevers[12]. It is an effective remedy for liver problems, being specifically helpful in treating hepatitis with jaundice[12]. Modern research has confirmed that the plant has a tonic and strengthening effect upon the liver, gallbladder and digestive system[12]. The leaves and young shoots are antibacterial, anticholesterolemic, antiviral, cholagogue, diuretic, febrifuge and vasodilator[2][3][5][7]. An infusion is used internally in the treatment of jaundice, hepatitis, gall bladder complaints and feverish illnesses[10]. Externally it has been applied in the form of a plaster for treating headaches[12]. The plant is harvested in late spring and can be dried for later use[10]. Yin Chen Hao is contraindicated for pregnant women[12].
- Product or use
- Antibacterial
- Product or use
- Anticholesterolemic
- Product or use
- Antiviral
- Product or use
- Cholagogue
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Febrifuge
- Product or use
- Hepatic
- Product or use
- Vasodilator
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Manchuria.
- Habitat
- Grassy thickets[2], and along rivers and seashores, C. and S. Japan[14]. Humid slopes, hills, terraces, roadsides and river banks at elevations of 100 - 2700 metres in China[13].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 7+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind, drought
- Wind
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- tolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - surface sow from late winter to early summer in a greenhouse[6]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Division in spring or autumn.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
An easily grown plant, succeeding in a well-drained circumneutral or slightly alkaline loamy soil, preferring a sunny position[1][6]. Established plants are drought tolerant[6]. Plants are longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil[11]. This species is probably not hardy in all parts of Britain, it tolerates temperatures down to at least -5°c[10]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[6]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[9].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X
Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148
Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00