Artemisia sieversiana Flos
Aliases：Dà Bái Hāo, Dà Zǐ Hāo, Chòu Hāo Zǐ (Stinky Wormwood), Shān Ài (Mountain Mugwort), Dà Tóu Hāo (Large-headed Wormwood), Kǔ Hāo (Bitter Wormwood), and others.
Bái Hāo Huā (White Wormwood Flower) is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is the flower head of Artemisia sieversiana Ehrhart ex Willd., a plant belonging to the genus Artemisia of the family Asteraceae. This plant is an annual or biennial herb with a single taproot, an erect stem growing 50–150 cm tall, with prominent longitudinal ridges and many branches; the entire plant is covered with greyish-white fine pubescence. The capitula are large, numerous, hemispherical or subglobose, 3–6 mm in diameter, arranged in racemes or compound racemes on the branches. The flowering period is from June to October.
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat and detoxifies; dries dampness and heals sores.
Indications
Indicated for carbuncles, furuncles, and toxic swellings, damp sores, and eczema. It may also be used for impetigo, cervical erosion, and other skin and mucosal conditions caused by damp-heat. The flower buds also have the effects of reducing inflammation, relieving pain, clearing heat, and stopping bleeding.
Modern Pharmacology
Antibacterial effects: Extracts of Bái Hāo Huā exhibit inhibitory effects against various bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Its sesquiterpene γ-lactones also show inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in vitro. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects: Exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Other effects: Also exhibits antiviral, analgesic, antitussive, expectorant, diuretic, hypoglycemic, lipid-lowering, antihypertensive, and antitumor activities.
Ingredients
Sesquiterpenoids: Artemisin (a sesquiterpene compound), artemisiifolin, artemisin, and others. Flavonoids: Approximately 0.831%, including rutin, isoquercitrin, and others. Alkaloids: 0.12–0.2%. Other constituents: Pyrocatechol tannins (0.499%), lactones, trace amounts of furanocoumarins. Volatile oils: Contains various volatile components.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 9–15 g (some sources also document 10–15 g). For external use: apply an appropriate amount, decoct in water and wash the affected area.
Contraindications
Use with caution or avoid in cases of Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold—as Bái Hāo Huā is cool in nature, it may aggravate symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. Contraindicated in patients with cold patterns—including those with deficiency-cold constitution manifesting as aversion to cold with cold limbs and cold hands and feet. Use with caution in those with allergic predisposition—may cause allergic reactions such as skin rash and itching in those allergic to Bái Hāo Huā. Use with caution during pregnancy—should be used under the guidance of a physician. Use with caution in women during menstruation—not suitable for those with Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold during the menstrual period.
Selected Formulas
1. For carbuncles, furuncles, and heat-toxin accumulation (traditional empirical formula) Take 9–15 g of Bai Hao flowers (including flower buds), decoct in water, and drink the strained liquid. Another ancient source records the use of 3–5 qian (approximately 9–15 g in modern equivalent) of the buds, with the same decoction method. 2. For weeping skin lesions (such as impetigo-like sores), eczema, and cervical mucosal conditions (traditional topical formula) Take an appropriate amount of Bai Hao flowers, decoct in water, and use the liquid to wash the affected areas. May be applied several times daily. 【Caution】 Bai Hao is cool in nature and is traditionally used to clear damp-heat. However, internal use should be cautious in individuals with spleen-stomach deficiency, chronic loose stools, or during pregnancy. For external use, avoid contact with eyes and extensive open wounds. All formulas are historical references and should only be used under the guidance of a licensed TCM practitioner.
Daily Consumption
Decoction for oral administration: Take 9–15 g of Bái Hāo Huā, decoct in water, and drink the strained liquid. It is used for carbuncles, furuncles, and toxic swellings. External washing: Take an appropriate amount of Bái Hāo Huā, decoct in water, and wash the affected area. It is used for damp sores, eczema, impetigo, and other skin conditions. Fresh use: Harvest from June to August; it may be used fresh directly, or air-dried for later use.
Medicinal Parts
Dried flower buds (capitula).
Selection & Storage
Store in a ventilated, dry place, protected from moisture and mold.
