Yin chen
Scientific names: Artemisia capillaris, Artemisia scoparia
Family: Asteraceae/Compositae
Alternate names: Armoise à Balais, Armoise Capillaire, Artemisia Officinalis, Capillary Wormwood, Ceinture de Saint-Jean, Chiu, Couronne de Saint-Jean, Herbe à Cent Goûts, In Chen, Inchin-Ko-To, Inchinko, Injin, Kawara-Yomogi, Kyunchinho, Rumput Roman, Shih Yin Ch'en, Yin Ch'en, Yin Ch'en Hao, Yin Chen Hao, Yin-Chen Wormwood
Background
Yin chen refers to the plant species Artemisia capillaris or Artemisia scoparia. It has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM).
Yin chen contains chemicals that stimulate bile flow and protect the liver. These chemicals might also kill cancer cells and viruses. The oils in yin chen might kill fungus and bacteria.
People use yin chen for asthma, liver disease, menstrual cramps, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Yin chen contains chemicals that stimulate bile flow and protect the liver. These chemicals might also kill cancer cells and viruses. The oils in yin chen might kill fungus and bacteria.
People use yin chen for asthma, liver disease, menstrual cramps, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Yin chen is possibly safe. It can cause nausea, bloating, and dizziness. High doses of 15 grams or more are possibly unsafe. These high doses can cause numbness, tremors, irregular heartbeat, and fainting.
Surgery: Yin chen might act like a sedative. Using it together with anesthesia and other medications given during and after surgery might slow down the central nervous system too much. Stop using yin chen at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if yin chen is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Surgery: Yin chen might act like a sedative. Using it together with anesthesia and other medications given during and after surgery might slow down the central nervous system too much. Stop using yin chen at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using yin chen for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Dosing & administration
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of yin chen might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Pentobarbital (Nembutal)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Yin chen might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Pentobarbital also causes drowsiness. There is some concern that taking yin chen with pentobarbital might cause too much drowsiness.
Sedative medications (CNS depressants)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Yin chen might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Some medications, called sedatives, can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking yin chen with sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs and supplements with sedative properties: Yin chen might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking it along with other supplements with similar effects might cause too much sleepiness and/or slowed breathing in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include hops, kava, L-tryptophan, melatonin, and valerian.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 07/12/2023 11:00:00 and last updated on 30/07/2022 06:00:02. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
