Artemisiae Sieversianae Herba
Aliases：Fán (from The Book of Songs), Pó Hāo (from Mao‘s Commentary on the Book of Songs), Yóu Hú, Méi Mǔ, Páng Bó (from Xiaoxiaozheng Commentary), Bái Ài Hāo (from Sengshen Ji Fang), Péng Hāo (from Kaibao Bencao), Dà Bái Hāo, Dà Zǐ Hāo, Chòu Hāo Zǐ, Shān Ài, Dà Tóu Hāo, Kǔ Hāo.
Bái Hāo is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is the whole plant of Artemisia sieversiana Ehrhart ex Willd. [also known as A. moxa DC.; A. koreana Nakai; A. chrysolepis Kitag.], a plant belonging to the genus Artemisia of the family Asteraceae. This plant is an annual or biennial herb, growing 50–150 cm tall, with a single taproot, an erect stem with prominent longitudinal ridges, many branches, and greyish-white pubescence on the stems and branches. The leaves are alternate, broadly ovate, 2–3 times pinnately dissected, with ultimate segments linear or linear-lanceolate. The capitula are large, numerous, hemispherical or subglobose, arranged in racemes or compound racemes on the branches, forming a spreading or slightly narrow panicle on the stem. The flowering and fruiting period is from June to October. Bái Hāo has a long history of medicinal use, first recorded in Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica).
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat, promotes diuresis, and detoxifies.
Indications
Indicated for jaundice, dysentery, diarrhea, dampness impediment, and scabies with malignant sores. Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer‘s Materia Medica) records that it “treats pathogenic Qi in the five viscera, wind-cold-dampness impediment, supplements the middle and benefits Qi, promotes hair growth and blackens hair, and relieves heart palpitations, poor appetite, and frequent hunger.” Xinxiu Bencao (Newly Revised Materia Medica) records that “prolonged use lightens the body, sharpens the ears and eyes, and prevents aging.” In addition, Bái Hāo flowers can clear heat, detoxify, astringe dampness, and heal sores, and are indicated for carbuncles, toxic swellings, eczema, and skin ulcers.
Modern Pharmacology
Antibacterial effects: The volatile oil of Bái Hāo exhibits good antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Micrococcus tetragenus, and Bacillus cereus. The sesquiterpene γ-lactones isolated from it show inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in vitro. The antibacterial activity of Bái Hāo volatile oil is superior to that of Artemisia argyi and Artemisia japonica. Anti-inflammatory effects: The total flavonoids of Bái Hāo exhibit anti-inflammatory effects in formaldehyde-induced rat paw edema models, acting through mechanisms such as inhibiting leukotriene B4 biosynthesis in leukocytes, suppressing the increase of intracellular free calcium in leukocytes, and promoting intracellular cAMP levels. Chemical diversity: Forty-nine compounds have been identified from the volatile oil of Bái Hāo. The aerial parts contain sesquiterpene lactones, artemisiifolin, artemisin, and other components. The dried plant contains 0.12–0.2% alkaloids, 0.499% pyrocatechol tannins, 0.831% flavonoids, lactones, and trace amounts of furanocoumarins, as well as rutin and isoquercitrin. Other effects: Bái Hāo is also used in folk medicine for the treatment of acute bacillary dysentery. In a clinical observation of 100 cases, 70 cases showed marked improvement and 23 cases showed improvement, with a cure rate of 93%.
Ingredients
Sesquiterpene lactones: Artemisiifolin, artemisin, and others. Flavonoids: Rutin, isoquercitrin, artemetin, and others. Other constituents: Alkaloids (0.12–0.2%), pyrocatechol tannins (0.499%), lactones, trace amounts of furanocoumarins, isovaleric acid, neryl esters, germacrene, and others.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 9–15 g. For fresh herb, an appropriate amount may be crushed and the juice extracted for oral administration. For external use: apply an appropriate amount, decoct in water for fumigation and washing of the affected area.
Contraindications
Steamed Bái Hāo: Wash the young seedlings of Bái Hāo, mix with a small amount of flour, steam for 5 minutes, then drizzle with minced garlic and sesame oil. It helps clear liver fire and resolve damp-heat. Bái Hāo Tea: Take 9–15 g of dried Bái Hāo, steep in boiling water; may be sweetened with honey. Fresh herb can be washed and boiled in water to be drunk as tea. Cold Dressed: Tender seedlings in spring can be dressed cold and eaten. Bái Hāo is fresh and fragrant in early spring and autumn; it can be eaten raw or steamed. Decoction for Oral Administration: 9–15 g of dried herb, decocted in water and taken orally. External Fumigation and Washing: Decoct Bái Hāo in water for fumigation, washing, or wet compresses to relieve skin itching, eczema, scabies, and other conditions.
Selected Formulas
1. For acute diarrhea (traditionally used for symptoms related to bacillary dysentery) (empirical folk formula) Take 60 g of fresh Bai Hao (white mugwort) or 30 g of the dried herb. Decoct with water, and divide the resulting liquid into 2–3 warm doses per day. Administer one dose daily for a course of 5–7 consecutive days. 2. For severe generalized skin ulcerations with facial involvement (from Seng Shen Ji Fang) Take ten bundles of Bai Hao (each bundle roughly the size of a sheng measuring vessel), boil to obtain a concentrated juice. Add fermented starter (qu) and rice, then follow the standard wine-brewing process. After fermentation is complete, drink a small amount each day. 3. For carbuncles, furuncles, and heat-toxin accumulation (from Medicinal Plants in Desert Regions) Take 9–15 g of Bai Hao flowers, decoct in water, and drink the decoction. 4. For skin eczema, weeping sores, and cervical mucosal conditions (from Medicinal Plants in Desert Regions) Take an appropriate amount of Bai Hao flowers, decoct in water, and use the liquid to wash the affected areas. 5. For sudden watery diarrhea in summer (from Meng Shen's empirical formula) Grind dried Bai Hao leaves into a fine powder. Take one spoonful of the powder, mix with rice gruel, and consume on an empty stomach.
Daily Consumption
1. Steamed Bai Hao (Medicine-Food Homology · Clears Liver Fire & Damp-Heat) Preparation: Wash and drain young Bai Hao shoots, mix with a small amount of flour, steam for 5 minutes, then drizzle with minced garlic and sesame oil. This dish is ideal for spring liver nourishment and clearing damp-heat. Suitable for those with liver fire or damp-heat symptoms—dry mouth, irritability, dry eyes, scanty dark urine, yellow greasy tongue coating. Those with cold-deficiency constitution or diarrhea should consume sparingly or avoid. 2. Bai Hao Tea (Clears Heat, Promotes Diuresis, Cools Blood & Detoxifies) Preparation: Steep 9–15g dried Bai Hao in boiling water, add honey to taste; or boil fresh Bai Hao in water and drink as tea. This tea is suitable for internal damp-heat (dry mouth, scanty dark urine, sticky stool, yellow greasy tongue coating) and liver fire (red sore eyes, irritability). Those with spleen-stomach cold deficiency should drink cautiously, or add ginger to moderate the cold nature. Caution: Steamed Bai Hao is suitable for daily mild damp-heat regulation; Bai Hao tea has stronger medicinal effects for more significant damp-heat or detoxification needs. Contraindicated in cold-deficiency constitution, loose stools, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. All dietary therapies should be selected according to individual constitution. For educational reference only—not a substitute for medical diagnosis.
Medicinal Parts
Dried whole plant. Flower buds are also used medicinally.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place.
