Artemisia argyi, also known as Snow Mountain Wormwood, is a relatively rare anti-inflammatory and analgesic medicine mainly found in Tibet. It has a precious medicinal value and is considered an effective remedy for various types of pain. Let's now learn about the efficacy, uses, and contraindications of Snow Mountain Wormwood.
Image of Snow Mountain Wormwood
【Morphological Characteristics of Snow Mountain Wormwood】
Snow Mountain Wormwood has a cylindrical-shaped rhizome, measuring 8 centimeters in length and 1.5 centimeters in thickness. The stem is erect, robust, reaching up to 180 centimeters in height, and covered with curved short hairs on the upper part and inflorescence, without branching or with few branches.
The leaves are heart-shaped, somewhat pentagonal, with a length and width of up to 15 centimeters. They are deeply divided into three lobes, with the central lobe rhomboid in shape, the base wedge-shaped, and the upper part feather-like deeply lobed. The deeply lobed segments are linear-lanceolate or lanceolate in shape, while the lateral lobes are obliquely fan-shaped. The leaves are sparsely covered with short hairs along the veins or hairless on both sides. The leaf stalk of the lowest leaf is equal in length to the leaf blade, while others are usually shorter. The inflorescence is a panicle measuring up to 60 centimeters in length, with numerous flowers, forming a conical inflorescence with the branched inflorescence. The lower bracts are leaf-like, while the other bracts are lanceolate or diamond-shaped. The peduncle is 1-10 centimeters long, with small bracts located above or near the middle of the peduncle, larger on the lower part and linear-shaped on the upper part. The petals are sparsely covered with short hairs, with a length of about 8 millimeters, the lip about 3.5 millimeters long, slightly concave at the tip, and about 2 millimeters away from the base, curving backward. The stamens are hairless with smooth filaments, and the ovaries are 3-4, hairless or sparsely covered with white short hairs. It flowers from July to August.
Image of Snow Mountain Wormwood
【Efficacy and Uses of Snow Mountain Wormwood】
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that Snow Mountain Wormwood has the effects of anti-inflammation, pain relief, dispelling wind and dampness. It is mainly used to treat rheumatic pain, swelling and pain from falls, and toothaches.
1. Various types of pain: Snow Mountain Wormwood disperses and warms, with a strong and smooth nature. It can dispel wind, remove dampness, activate blood circulation, and is particularly effective in relieving pain. It is considered an effective remedy for various types of pain.
2. Ulcers, abscesses, poisonous snake and insect bites: Snow Mountain Wormwood can counteract toxins, promote blood circulation, and relieve pain. It can be used topically by soaking it in alcohol to treat ulcers, abscesses, poisonous snake and insect bites, bee stings, etc.
3. Treatment for falls, rheumatic pain, and toothaches: Take 0.25 grams of Snow Mountain Wormwood (about the size of a grain of rice) orally.
4. Treatment for falls, poisonous snake and insect bites: Soak 50 grams of Snow Mountain Wormwood in one kilogram of alcohol for ten days, then apply it externally (strictly prohibited for internal use).
Image of Snow Mountain Wormwood
【Precautions】
1. Snow Mountain Wormwood is highly toxic. It must be processed and the dosage must be strictly controlled for internal use. It is not recommended to consume it in its raw form.
2. Pregnant women, the elderly, children, as well as patients with heart disease or ulcers should avoid taking it.
3. Avoid eating raw and cold food, legumes, beef, and mutton during the treatment period.
4. Avoid internal use of alcohol-based preparations.
5. Symptoms of poisoning mainly include strong stimulation of the vagus nerve, excessive salivation, vomiting, abdominal pain, arrhythmia, hypotension, shock, difficulty breathing, convulsions, and coma. It can lead to death due to circulatory and respiratory failure.
