Yin Chen (Yinchenhao Shoots and Leaves, Capillaris)

Yin Chen (Yinchenhao Shoots and Leaves, Capillaris)

Herb 25 of 28 in Herbs that Regulate Water and Drain Dampness

Cool Yin Chen (Herba Artemisiae Yinchenhao)
Channels:
LIV, SP, GB, ST
Properties:
Bitter, Spicy, Cool
Latin:
Herba Artemisiae Yinchenhao
Chinese:
茵陈
Tone Marks:
yīn chén
Alt Names:
Yin Chen Hao, Main Yin Chen, Mian Chen
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Chinese Herb Actions

  • Clears Damp-Heat, Treats Yang Type Jaundice
    This is the best herb for treatment of jaundice due to damp-heat or damp-cold. Most commonly used for jaundice with bright orange-yellow skin usually referred to as yang-type. Also used with other herbs for yin-type jaundice with yellow, dull, and lusterless appearance although it is traditionally contraindicated for this type.
  • Clears Damp-Heat from the Skin
    Especially for lower body skin diseases including sores, rashes, eczema, oozing sores, and urticaria due to damp-heat on the exterior.
  • Treats Febrile diseases with Damp-Heat
    For fever, body aches, oppression in the chest, constipation, yellow urine and abdominal distension due to damp-heat.
  • Promotes Urination
    Weakly promotes urination

Chinese Herb Contraindications & Cautions

  • Use caution in cases without Damp-Heat.
  • Do not use in cases with jaundice due to blood accumulation.

Herb-Drug Interactions

  • None noted, but caution should be used when combining with diuretic drugs.

Chinese Herb Toxicity & Overdose

  • Overdose can lead to rare toxic side effects including fainting, dizziness, headache, numb upper extremities with tremors, palpitations and feelings of chest oppression.
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Chinese Herb Dosage

  • 10-30 grams in decoction 12
  • 9-30 grams in decoction 13

Chinese Herb Notes

  • This herb is the primary herb for treatment of jaundice due to its bitter and slightly cold nature. When treating Yang jaundice with signs of heat bitter cold herbs should be included like Zhi Zi. When treating Yin jaundice with signs of cold warming herbs like Fu Zi should be included.

Chinese Herb Clinical Studies & Research

This Herb Appears in the Following Formulas:

References Used

The TCM information presented here has been referenced from numerous sources; including teachers, practitioners, class notes from Five Branches University, the following books, as well as other sources. If you have benefited from this information, please consider supporting the authors and their works by purchasing the books below.

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