Yin Chen: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

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.

Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for Yin Chen overview.

Side Effects

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.

Special Precautions and 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.

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with Yin Chen
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.
Pentobarbital (Nembutal) interacts with Yin Chen
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.

Dosing

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.

View References

REFERENCES:

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Huang KC. The Pharmacology of Chinese Herbs. 2nd ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC, 1999:258.

Chevallier A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. New York, NY: DK Publishing. 1996:170.

Yamamoto M, Ogawa K, Morita M, et al. The herbal medicine Inchin-ko-to inhibits liver cell apoptosis induced by transforming growth factor beta 1. Hepatology 1996;23:552-9.

Yamamoto M, Miura N, Ohtake N, et al. Genipin, a metabolite derived from the herbal medicine Inchin-ko-to, and suppression of fas-induced lethal liver apoptosis in mice. Gastroenterol 2000;118:380-9.

Lee J, Chae K, Ha J, et al. Regulation of obesity and lipid disorders by herbal extracts from Morus alba, Melissa officinalis, and Artemisia capillaris in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. J Ethnopharmacol 2008;115:263-70.

Kim J, Jung KH, Yan HH, et al. Artemisia capillaris leaves inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2018;18(1):147.

Liu L, Zhao J, Li Y, et al. Artemisia capillaris formula inhibits hepatic steatosis via an miR 122 induced decrease in fatty acid synthase expression in vivo and in vitro. Mol Med Rep. 2016;13(6):4751-8.

Yang C, Hu DH, Feng Y. Antibacterial activity and mode of action of the Artemisia capillaris essential oil and its constituents against respiratory tract infection-causing pathogens. Mol Med Rep. 2015;11(4):2852-60.

Yan H, Jung KH, Kim J, Rumman M, Oh MS, Hong SS. Artemisia capillaris extract AC68 induces apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma by blocking the PI<sub>3</sub>K/AKT pathway. Biomed Pharmacother. 2018;98:134-141.

Geng CA, Huang XY, Chen XL, et al. Three new anti-HBV active constituents from the traditional Chinese herb of Yin-Chen (Artemisia scoparia). J Ethnopharmacol. 2015;176:109-17.

dela Peña IJ, Hong E, Kim HJ, et al. Artemisia capillaris thunberg produces sedative-hypnotic effects in mice, which are probably mediated through potentiation of the GABAA receptor. Am J Chin Med. 2015;43(4):667-79.

Ahn JH, Park YL, Song AY, et al. Water extract of Artemisia scoparia Waldst. & Kitam suppresses LPS-induced cytokine production and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in macrophages and alleviates carrageenan-induced acute inflammation in mice. J Ethnopharmacol. 2021;268:113606.

Feng Q, Huang Z, Su L, Fan Y, Guan Y, Zhang G. Therapeutic efficacy and safety of Yinzhihuang granules with phototherapy in neonatal pathologic jaundice: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Phytomedicine 2022;100:154051.

Liang M, Huo M, Guo Y, et al. Aqueous extract of Artemisia capillaris improves non-alcoholic fatty liver and obesity in mice induced by high-fat diet. Front Pharmacol 2022;13:1084435.

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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