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Ai Ye艾叶

Artemisiae Argyi Folium · Mugwort Leaf · Argy Wormwood Leaf

Herbs that Stop Bleeding 止血药《名医别录》

Overview

The dried leaf of Chinese mugwort — better known outside the clinic as the material burned in moxibustion. Acrid, bitter and warm, it warms the channels so that blood stays in the vessels, and settles cold, cramping pain in the lower abdomen. The dispensary also stocks processed forms: dry-fried and vinegar-fried are gentler on the stomach and lean further toward warming the channels and easing period pain, while the charred form is reached for when bleeding itself is the main problem.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid, bitter · Warm · Slightly toxic

Channels

Liver · Spleen · Kidney

Typical Dosage

3–10 g in decoction
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Actions

4 core actions

  • Warms the channels, stops bleedingBleeding on a cold-deficient background: heavy or prolonged periods, flooding and spotting, bleeding in pregnancy — classically paired with E Jiao.
  • Dispels cold, relieves painCold lodged in the lower abdomen and uterus: cramping period pain and cold infertility, with pain that eases under a hot water bottle.
  • Steadies the fetusRestlessness and spotting in pregnancy of a cold-deficient pattern, always on a practitioner's prescription.
  • Used externally — moxa and washesThe processed floss is the standard moxibustion material; a decoction of the leaf is used as a wash for damp, itchy skin.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Ai Ye

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Heavy, prolonged or irregular uterine bleeding of a cold-deficient pattern
    - Cramping period pain with a cold, aching lower abdomen
    - Cold-type infertility and unsettled pregnancy, under supervision
    - Damp, itchy skin conditions, as an external wash

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

MenorrhagiaDysmenorrheaAbnormal uterine bleedingEczemaMoxibustion

Contraindications

Cautions

Warm and drying: not suitable where bleeding comes from heat in the blood, nor in yin deficiency with heat signs. Large or prolonged internal doses can irritate the stomach — the volatile oil is the irritant, which is why the dry-fried, vinegar-fried and charred forms are the ones usually given internally. Keep to the prescribed dose.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Classically given during pregnancy to steady the fetus and stop spotting — but only on a practitioner's prescription, never self-administered.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Ming Yi Bie Lu《名医别录》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.