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Cura x Cura

Yin Chen茵陈

Artemisiae Scopariae Herba · Capillaris · Virgate Wormwood Herb

Herbs that Drain Dampness 利水渗湿药《神农本草经》

Overview

The principal jaundice herb of Chinese medicine. Bitter, acrid and slightly cold, it clears damp-heat from the Liver and Gallbladder and moves it out through the urine, taking the yellow of the skin and eyes with it. What it does is largely set by what it is combined with — with Zhi Zi and Da Huang for the bright yang type of jaundice, with Fu Zi and Gan Jiang for the dull, cold yin type.

Nature & Flavor

Bitter, acrid · Slightly cold

Channels

Spleen · Stomach · Liver · Gallbladder

Typical Dosage

6–15 g in decoction
茵陈Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Clears damp-heat, resolves jaundiceYellowing of the skin and sclera, dark scanty urine, and a heavy oppressed feeling below the ribs.
  • Promotes bile flowGallbladder damp-heat with flank fullness, a bitter taste and nausea.
  • Resolves toxicity, treats soresDamp-heat skin eruptions, itching and weeping lesions — taken internally or used as a wash.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Yin Chen

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Damp-heat jaundice with dark urine and flank fullness
    - Cold-damp jaundice, in warming combinations
    - Gallbladder damp-heat with a bitter taste and nausea
    - Damp-heat skin eruptions and itching

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

JaundiceHepatitisCholecystitisEczema

Contraindications

Cautions

It addresses damp-heat jaundice; the pale sallow complexion of blood deficiency is a different pattern and is not treated with it. Jaundice always needs medical assessment — it can signal serious liver or biliary disease, and herbal treatment does not replace that.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(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.