Artemisia argyi is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicinal herb with good efficacy in treating amenorrhea in women. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as promoting digestion. However, we should also pay attention to its usage and contraindications.
【Efficacy and Functions of Artemisia argyi】
1. Promotes Qi circulation and breaks up blood stasis
Artemisia argyi has a good effect on promoting Qi circulation and breaking up blood stasis. It also has a good analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. When people experience bloating, amenorrhea, or dysmenorrhea, taking some Artemisia argyi can help relieve these symptoms effectively.
2. Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory
Artemisia argyi has a good antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect, especially against various bacteria. This is beneficial for people's health.
3. Promotes digestion
Promoting digestion is one of the important functions of Artemisia argyi. When people take a moderate amount of Artemisia argyi, it can increase the production of digestive fluids in the body, effectively promoting digestion and even relieving abdominal pain caused by indigestion.
【Difference between Artemisia argyi and Polygonum bistorta】
Artemisia argyi is the rhizome of the ginger family plant Artemisia argyi, Curcuma longa, or Guangxi Artemisia argyi. Polygonum bistorta is the dried tuber of the black bistort plant Polygonum bistorta.
1. Similarities
Both have the effects of breaking up blood stasis, promoting Qi circulation, relieving pain, and are often used together to enhance their efficacy. They are used for treating blood stasis and Qi stagnation-related conditions such as abdominal mass, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, postpartum blood stasis abdominal pain, and can also be used for treating food stagnation and Qi stagnation-related chest and abdominal distension, cancer, etc. They should be avoided by those with excessive menstrual bleeding and pregnant women.
2. Differences
Artemisia argyi has a warm nature and is more inclined towards the liver and spleen Qi. Its Qi-moving and Qi-dispersing effect is stronger, mainly used for Qi stagnation abdominal pain and food stagnation accumulation. Polygonum bistorta has a neutral nature, descending and purging property, more inclined towards the liver and spleen blood, and has a stronger effect on breaking up blood stasis. It is mainly used for blood stasis amenorrhea and blood stasis accumulation distention.
【Precautions for Artemisia argyi】
Artemisia argyi is safe to use clinically and has no significant impact on liver and kidney function. Some individuals may experience abnormal liver function, but it can recover on its own after discontinuation of the herb.
Artemisia argyi and its preparations may cause symptoms such as dizziness, flushing, chest tightness, palpitations, and fatigue in a few people. In very rare cases, shock-like reactions may occur. Animal experiments have shown that Artemisia argyi preparations can cause hemolysis and liver and kidney damage, so caution should be exercised when using it clinically, and excessive use should be avoided.
Artemisia argyi has a strong effect on breaking up blood stasis, and long-term use can damage the body's vital energy. It is not suitable for those with Qi and blood deficiency and no blood stasis. When used to treat diseases with a combination of deficiency and excess, it can be used with tonic herbs. During the use, the patient's coagulation indicators should be checked, and attention should be paid to whether there is a tendency to bleed. If there are abnormalities, the dosage should be reduced or discontinued.
Artemisia argyi can deplete Qi and injure blood. It should be stopped when the disease is controlled, and excessive or long-term use should be avoided. It should not be taken by women with excessive menstrual bleeding and pregnant women.
