Artemisia santolinifolia, Phur nag ཕུར་ནག

Phur nag (Tibetan)
Picture Artemisia sacrorum (Russian Wormwood)
J.G. Gmelin, Flora sibirica, vol. 2 (1749)

Botanical name:


Artemisia spp.
Several species have been identified as supplying Phur nag:
  1. A. santolinifolia (syn. A. sacrorum var. minor)
  2. A. gmelinii (North-West Tibet)
  3. A. vestita (West Himalayas)
  4. A. sacrorum–Russian Wormwood (West Tibet)

This is one of three varieties of Phur mong in Tibetan classification:
  1. Artemisia santolinifolia–’black’ variety (Phur nag)
  2. Artemisia spp. –’white’ variety (Phur dkar)
  3. Artemisia multicaulis–’brown’ variety (Phur smug)
In Mongolia, a synonymous herb is said to be A. macrocephala (Plantes medicinales de Mongolie, Floristique, 2011)
In Buryat region, A. gmelinii is used. A. vestita is also used in some parts.

Parts used:


Herb

Temperature & Taste:


Cool, dry. Bitter

Uses:


1. Clears Heat, Resists Poison:
-Epidemic diseases
-Sore Throat, Diphtheria
-Rashes, Acne

2. Clears Damp Heat, Reduces Swelling:
-abdominal distention and cramps
-sudden swellings

3. Clears Deficient Heat:
-Diabetic complications
-enhances insulin sensitivity (Overseas Useful Biological Resources II, Cambodia, Mongolia (2015~2016), Korea)

4. Kills Worms:
-Worm infestation
-abdominal cramps associated with Worms


Dose:


Powder: 1–3 grams

Substitute:


1. Caryopteris trichosphaera has been listed as an alternate variety.

Main Combinations:


1. Stomach diseases from Phlegm-Heat with poor digestion, Artemisia santolinifolia with Costus, Emblic Myrobalan, Chebulic Myrobalan, Cardamon, Long Pepper (as in Costus 13)

Major Formulas:


Costus 13 (Tibetan Medicine)

Cautions:


None noted

Main Preparations used: