Ài Yè (艾叶), known in English as Mugwort leaf (Artemisia argyi), is a warm, bitter and acrid Chinese herb from the Stop bleeding category. It enters the Liver, Spleen and Kidney channels. Its main action: warms channels, stops Cold bleeding.
| Pinyin | Ài Yè (Ai Ye) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 艾叶 |
| English | Mugwort leaf |
| Botanical name | Artemisia argyi |
| Category | Stop bleeding |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Bitter, Acrid |
| Channels | Liver, Spleen, Kidney |
| Dosage | 3–9g |
| Cautions | Yin deficiency with Heat; excess Heat bleeding |
Actions
- Warms channels, stops Cold bleeding
- Disperses Cold-Damp, relieves pain
- Calms foetus — moxibustion and oral
Indications
- Cold-deficiency uterine bleeding
- Threatened miscarriage
- Cold dysmenorrhoea
- Cold abdominal pain
- Moxibustion for numerous conditions
How to remember Ài Yè
Stop bleeding herbs are mostly cool or cold and bitter, and most enter the Liver channel.
- You can work these out
- Bitter, Liver channel: like most Stop bleeding herbs
- Learn by heart
- Warm: unusual for Stop bleeding herbs (most are cool or cold)
- Acrid: unusual for Stop bleeding herbs (most are bitter)
- Spleen and Kidney channels: nothing in its group or its actions points to them
Formulas containing Ài Yè
Other Stop bleeding herbs
- Sān Qī
- Dì Yú
- Huái Huā
- Bái Máo Gēn
- Pú Huáng
- Xiān Hè Cǎo
- Bái Jí
- Qiàn Cǎo Gēn
- Dà Jì
- Xiǎo Jì
- Cè Bǎi Yè
- Ǒu Jié
- Fú Lóng Gān
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Ài Yè?
Ài Yè is warm and bitter and acrid.
Which channels does Ài Yè enter?
Ài Yè enters the Liver, Spleen and Kidney channels.
What are the actions of Ài Yè?
Warms channels, stops Cold bleeding; Disperses Cold-Damp, relieves pain; Calms foetus — moxibustion and oral.
What is Ài Yè used for?
Cold-deficiency uterine bleeding; threatened miscarriage; cold dysmenorrhoea; cold abdominal pain; moxibustion for numerous conditions.
Which formulas contain Ài Yè?
Jiāo Ài Tāng.
Practise Ài Yè and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.