Diverse wormwood (liu ji nu)

Artemisia anomala

Traditionally attributed effects: lets the blood flow, promotes menstruation and relieves pain from injury.

Safety notes

Not during pregnancy, with diarrhoea, spleen deficiency or qi and blood deficiency. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Preparation

Aerial parts. Usually as a decoction, together with other herbs.

Use in traditions

Described in the classical Chinese materia medica, in the group 'herbs that move the blood'. The name refers to Liu Jinu, the childhood name of the emperor Liu Yu, who according to legend discovered the herb as a boy. It is used for bruises, burns and blocked menstruation.

Applications

Use by tradition

How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.

Chinese materia medica

Nature and taste: bitter, warm
Meridians: heart, spleen

Attributed effects

For pain and swelling from injury and fractures and for absent or painful menstruation. The ash is sprinkled externally on wounds and burns to stanch bleeding.

Preparation and amount

Traditional dosage: 3–9 g a day, usually in a decoction. Very similar to ai ye (Chinese mugwort).

Combinations

With gu sui bu, corydalis and xu duan for injury
With dang gui and chuanxiong for menstrual pain

Ways to prepare herbs: Decoction

Sources

All herbs from Asia →