Artemisia, Mkhan pa མཁན་པ
Mkhan pa (Tibetan)Qing Hao (A. annua) (TCM)
Bai Hao (A. siversiana) (TCM)
Artemisia annuaKops et al., J., Flora Batava (1906)
Botanical name:
Artemisia spp.
4 types of Mkhan pa are recognised in Tibetan Medicine:
1. Mkhan nag: ‘Black’ variety; A. annua (Artemisia Qing Hao of TCM)
2. Mkhan skya: A. sieveriana
3. Mkhan dkar: Ajania tenuifolia or Ajania khartensis
4. Mkhan dmar: Artemisia spp.
Other species listed as sources for Mkhan pa include: A. campestris, A. commutata, A. frigida, A. sericea, A. stelleriana
Artemisia frigida is used in the Buryat region.
Parts used:
Above-ground parts
Temperature & Taste:
Cool, dry. Bitter
Uses:
1. Clears Wind-Heat:
-used for Summer-heat in TCM
-Colds and Fever during the warm months
-Malarial Fevers
2. Clears Heat from Deficiency:
-Chronic Fever; Fever from Yin deficiency (TCM)
-can also be used for external patterns in those with Yin deficiency
-Kidney disorders
3. Clears Blood Heat, Stops Bleeding:
-Bleeding associated with Heat or Deficient Heat
-Dysentery with Blood
-Wounds
4. Clears Heat, Resolves Masses:
-Swellings, Masses
-drains Pus from the Lungs
-Cancer (Drungtso)
Dose:
Decoction: 3–9 grams (up to 12 grams)
Powder: 500mg–2 grams
Comment:
1. A number of varieties can supply the medicine. The ‘Black’ variety is A. annua, used in TCM as Qing Hao for Deficient Heat.
Substitute:
Artemisia Qing Hao of TCM may generally be used for Artemisia Mkhan pa
Main Combinations:
Major Formulas:
Cautions:
Caution in those with weak digestion