Ài Yè (艾叶) — Mugwort leaf / Moxa herb

On this page

1. Overview
2. Properties
3. Actions and indications
4. Key formulas
5. Modern research
6. Cautions and contraindications
7. Treatment at my clinic

1. Overview

Ài Yè (艾叶) — Artemisia argyi — is known in English as Mugwort leaf / Moxa herb. It belongs to the category of Herbs that stop bleeding in the Chinese Materia Medica and is used in Chinese herbal medicine as a component of classical herbal formulas and tailored prescriptions.

I prescribe Ài Yè as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan. Herbs are always combined with other herbs selected to match the patient’s individual TCM pattern. Online consultations are available for patients who cannot attend my clinic in person.

2. Properties

3. Actions and indications

Principal actions

1. Warms the channels and stops bleeding — the primary herb for Cold uterine bleeding
2. Disperses Cold and relieves pain — the most important herb for Cold dysmenorrhoea
3. Calms the fetus and prevents miscarriage from Cold
4. Warms the meridians and is the primary material for moxibustion

Indications

1. Cold uterine bleeding and menorrhagia — the most important herb for bleeding from Cold
2. Dysmenorrhoea from Cold uterus — lower abdominal pain relieved by warmth
3. Recurrent miscarriage and threatened miscarriage from uterine Cold
4. Used externally as moxibustion for warming any Cold condition throughout the body
5. Eczema and itching from Cold-Damp (external wash)

4. Key formulas containing Ài Yè

Ài Yè appears in the following key formulas:

• Ai Fu Nuan Gong Wan
• Jiao Ai Tang

See the full Chinese herbal medicine formula directory for detailed information on all 70 classical formulas.

5. Modern research

Artemisia argyi (Ai Ye) is the source material for moxibustion — the dried, aged leaves are compressed into moxa wool or sticks and burned over acupuncture points to warm the channels. Key bioactive constituents include volatile oils (cineole, camphor, borneol), flavonoids, polysaccharides and sesquiterpene lactones. Research confirms significant anti-inflammatory effects, uterine smooth muscle-relaxing properties (explaining its role in preventing miscarriage), haemostatic effects via platelet aggregation enhancement, antibacterial and antifungal activity, and immunomodulatory properties. The volatile oil is responsible for much of the therapeutic action in both internal use and moxibustion. Ai Ye is the only herb in the Materia Medica that is also a major external treatment modality.

6. Cautions and contraindications

Avoid in Yin deficiency with Heat, Blood Heat patterns and haemorrhagic conditions from Heat — the warm nature will aggravate these. Long-term internal use in large doses may cause liver toxicity. The standard clinical dose should not be exceeded. Safe and beneficial when used as moxibustion externally.

Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Never self-prescribe Chinese herbs without professional guidance. Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto is a member of the RCHM with over 25 years of clinical experience.

7. Treatment at my clinic

I prescribe Ài Yè as part of tailored herbal formulas for a range of conditions including Fertility, Irregular menstrual cycle, Miscarriage, Luteal phase defect. Every prescription is individually formulated following a full TCM assessment and adjusted throughout treatment as the pattern responds.

I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available throughout the UK and internationally. Visit the prices page for consultation fees.

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