Artemisia (Yin Chen) is a very common wild plant that sprout in early spring. Its nature is slightly cold, its flavor is bitter. It is known for its ability to clear internal heat, drain dampness, and treat jaundice. It effectively clears the Liver and Gallbladder heat because it resonates with the spreading and ascending nature of spring.
Spring resonates with Shaoyang (Lesser Yang), which is governed by Fire Qi. Therefore, it has a tendency to transform into Fire or Heat. Jueyin Liver is its Pivoting Qi 中氣, so the Fire and Heat can directly be transported to the Liver.
Liver Fire manifests as red eyes, dry eyes, insomnia (frequently waking up at night, waking up early and difficulty falling back asleep), vertex headache, migraines, dizziness, bitter taste in the mouth, mouth dryness, yellow discharge from the eyes, distension and fullness in the subcostal regions, bad temper, mood swings, busy mind, restless leg syndrome, etc. Artemisia would be a great herb to add to a formula to treat such conditions.
The best artemisia has to be harvested soon after they sprout in the lunar March, because at this stage they carry the purest spring Qi. Only the youngest leaves and stems can be collected as an herb. As soon as the leaves and stems become pale and hard in the lunar April, they do not have any therapeutic value anymore. There is a saying that “Yin Chen in March is a precious herb; in April it can only be used as a vegetable, in May and June it can only be used as fire starters.”
Some may argue that Chai Hu (Bupleurum Radix) can replace Yin Chen since they both clear Shaoyang heat. However, Yin Chen is a gentler herb than Chai Hu — it goes into smaller spaces in the body, and its light quality allows it to bring the heat to the exterior layer. It does not injure the body’s Yin while it gently clears the heat in the Blood layer. It can be combined with Bie Jia (Trionyx sinensis shell, aka softshell turtle shell) to remove stagnant and stubborn heat buried deep in the tissues.
Yin Chen is also a great ingredient for recipes. Boiling eggs with Yin Chen not only can clear the heat and drain the dampness but can also treat sores and ulcers caused by Shaoyang Ministerial Fire. Yin Chen can also be added to porridge, blend with silky tofu as an appetizer, or made into a drink with Che Qian Zi (Plantaginis Semen) to clear heat in the Bladder channel and organ.
To treat skin disorders caused by Liver or Shaoyang damp heat, adding Yin Chen, Ai Ye (Artemisiae Argyi Folium), Ce Bai Ye (Platycladi Cacumen), Shi Chang Pu (Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma), Jing Jie Sui (Schizonepetae Herba) (herbs can be placed in a pouch) to boiling water and decoct for 20 minutes on high heat, add the decoction (and the herbs) to bath water or foot soak.