Artemisia vulgaris, MugwortDamanka (Ayurveda)Artemisia argyi, Chinese Mugwort, Ai Ye 艾叶Ai Ye (TCM) |
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Artemisia (Dioscorides Materia Medica, Mathias, 1563)
Flora von Deutschland (29), Kohler, 1887
Members CLICK HERE for the PRO VERSIONBotanical name:
Artemisia vulgaris
Red and White varieties were traditionally known.
Parts used:
Herb
Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Pungent, Bitter
opens, discusses
Classifications:
2D ATTENUATERS OF CONGEALED BLOOD. 2J. RAREFYING
3G. EMMENAGOGUE. 3Q. ANTHELMINTIC
4e. STOMACHIC. 4i. UTERINE
Uses:
1. Warms the Womb, Stops Bleeding, Promotes Menstruation: (TCM, West)
-Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea, associated with Cold or Blood stagnation (West)
-Uterine Bleeding, prolonged Menstruation associated with Coldness of the Womb. (TCM)
2. Clears Wind-Damp, Calms Spasms: (West)
-Epilepsy, Shaking, Tremors; ‘Mugwort cures shaking of the joints inclining to Palsy’ (Gerard)
-Sciatica, Arthritis; some termed it specific for Sciatica
-‘Three drams of the powder of the dried leaves taken in wine, is a speedy and the best certain help for the Sciatica’ (Culpeper)
3. Clears Wind-Phlegm, Resolves Masses: (TCM, West)
-lumps and nodes of the neck (internally and topically)
-it has been used for Tumors and Thyroid swellings in TCM.
4. Clears Cold, Benefits Digestion: (TCM, West)
-poor appetite, nausea, anorexia, chronic diarrhea
-epigastric or abdominal pain from Cold
5. Resists Poison: (West)
-in Antidotes
-sore Swollen Throat, Tonsillitis (Culpeper)
-antidote against Opium
6. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine: (West, Ayurveda)
-Edema, Jaundice
-Obstruction of the Liver and Spleen
-Gravel, Stones (West, Ayurveda)
7. Benefits Qi:
-Fatigue, weakness and weariness (Pliny)
-used similarly in Chinese Folk Medicine and by Native Americans.
-‘exceedingly nourishes patients of the deficiency type’. (Old Chinese Herbal)
8. Kills Worms:
–Threadworm, Roundworm (Oil has especially been used for Worms)
-washes and fumigations as an insect repellent
9. Externally:
-ointments for Nodes, Swellings, Scrofula
-baths and washes for Sciatica, Shaking, Trembling, Cramps
-vinegar tincture is applied to sprains and bruising
-topically for eczema, dermatitis
-in douches for Uterine Pain and Tumors of the Uterus.
-bruised and used as a pessary with oil of Myrrh (Pliny)
-decocted in water and applied as a plaster to the lower abdomen or vagina to promote speedy labor
Comment:
1. The varieties of Mugwort used in the West and TCM are similar in appearance, taste, use and chemical composition. In addition, a large number of local species are used in China for Ai Ye, and it is probable that A. vulgaris is used in North-Western China. The focus in TCM is on stopping Bleeding, whereas it was most commonly used in the West to promote Menstruation. These apparently opposing effects are both related to the Warming, blood-moving effect. It can be used for excess or prolonged bleeding when associated with Cold, but is also used for Dysmenorrhea (and Amenorrhea) when also caused by Cold. Importantly, both have been used for Infertility associated with Coldness of the Womb. Therefore, we can say they are synonymous and can substitute one another.
2. Chinese Mugwort is beaten to a fluffy powder to form Moxa which is held over acupoints to warm the channels, clear Cold and Damp, and relieve pain.
Dose:
Decocted in wine to promote Menstruation, clear obstructions and tumors of the Uterus.
Decoction: 3–9 grams
Powder: 1–3 grams
Preparation:
… available in PRO version
Main Combinations:
1. Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea:
i. Mugwort with … available in PRO version
ii. Mugwort with … available in PRO version
iii. Mugwort with … available in PRO version
iv. Mugwort with … available in PRO version
v. Mugwort with … available in PRO version
vi. Mugwort with … available in PRO version
2. PMS, emotional problems aggravated by Menstruation, combine Mugwort with … available in PRO version
3. Nerve diseases, combine Mugwort with … available in PRO version
4. Infertility:
i. Mugwort with … available in PRO version
ii. Mugwort with … available in PRO version
iii. Mugwort with … available in PRO version
5. Promote Labor, Mugwort with … available in PRO version
6. Obstruction of the Spleen or Liver from Cold, decoct Mugwort with … available in PRO version
7. Wounds, Trauma, Mugwort with … available in PRO version
8. Douche for Uterine Pain, Mugwort … available in PRO version
9. Topical wash for Cramps and Pains of the Sinews, Mugwort … available in PRO version
10. As a hip bath to promote Menstruation, decoct Mugwort with … available in PRO version
11. Ointment for Back Pain, Mugwort with … available in PRO version
Major Formulas:
Infusion for Painful Menstruation (Matthioli)
Decoction to Promote Menstruation (Wirtzung)
Decoction to Promote Menstruation (Turner)
Syrup of Mugwort Lesser (Bononiense)
Syrup of Mugwort (Augustana)
Antidotum Haemagogum (Nicholas)
Electuary to Promote Fertility (Wirtzung)
Cautions:
1. Best avoided in Pregnancy. When used, the dose should be small.
2. Not used in conditions with excess Heat or Yin deficiency.
Main Preparations used:
Distilled Water of the Tops, Distilled Oil, Compound Syrup, Salt of the Ashes