Yinchen: Benefits, Effects, Who Should Avoid It, and Precautions Explained

Yinchen, also called Yinchenhao, refers to the young stems and leaves of Qinghao (sweet wormwood). There is also a folk legend of “Hua Tuo testing Qinghao three times.” So what are the benefits and effects of Yinchen? Who should not take it? What precautions are there?

1. Benefits and effects of Yinchen

1. Liver protection

Yinchen is very beneficial to the liver and has a significant effect on clearing the liver and promoting bile flow. It can promote the secretion of bile and the excretion of bilirubin in bile. Clinical experiments have proven that Yinchen is very effective for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and icteric hepatitis.

2. Lowering blood pressure and blood lipids

When Yinchen is brewed in water and taken as a decoction, it is beneficial for increasing coronary blood flow in the heart, softening arterial blood vessels, and improving the body's microcirculation. It also has a very significant effect on lowering blood pressure and blood lipids.

3. Inhibiting human tuberculosis bacilli

Yinchen has a good inhibitory effect on fungi on our skin. Brewing Yinchen in water can relieve symptoms such as skin itching, treat diseases such as allergic dermatitis caused by skin fungi, and can also inhibit human tuberculosis bacilli.

4. Promoting menstruation

Yinchen is a common Chinese herbal medicine. Taking a decoction of Yinchen can regulate menstruation, help unblock amenorrhea caused by endocrine disorders, and help regulate the symptoms of endocrine disorders.

5. Nourishing and activating blood

Drinking water brewed with Yinchen can accelerate blood circulation in the liver, promote the body's metabolism, have the effect of nourishing and activating blood, and can also repair liver cell damage caused by staying up late and drinking alcohol.

6. Nourishing yin and tonifying yang

Drinking water brewed with Yinchen is very beneficial to the kidneys. It can treat some minor kidney problems and has the effect of nourishing yin and tonifying yang.

2. Who should not take Yinchen

Yinchen is mild in nature, and most people can take it. However, people who are especially weak or have spleen deficiency and blood depletion should not take Yinchen; otherwise, it may cause adverse symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting, and in severe cases may worsen the condition.

3. Dietary contraindications for Yinchen

1. Take in appropriate amounts

Yinchen is a very common Chinese herbal medicine in daily life, commonly used to clear heat and reduce jaundice. If your physical condition is good and there is nothing abnormal with your liver, it can be brewed in water and taken as a decoction over the long term to strengthen the body. But as the saying goes, every medicine has some toxicity, so it is best not to take it over the long term.

Taking excessive amounts of Yinchen may inhibit our central nervous system and cause a series of symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, irregular heartbeat, and general fatigue. Therefore, do not take Yinchen in excessive amounts; it should be taken under a doctor's advice and guidance.

2. Take at the right time

Yinchen brewed in water is best taken after meals; otherwise, it may irritate the stomach and intestines. For people with poor digestion, it may cause adverse symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating, and diarrhea.

4. How to consume Yinchen

1. Yinchen green tea

Take 30 g of Yinchen, 3 g of green tea, and 6 g of raw rhubarb, brew in water and take as a decoction, divided into two doses in the morning and evening.

2. Yinchen detox soup

Take 50 g of Yinchen, 30 g of Banlangen (Isatis root), 30 g of dandelion, 20 g of Fuling (Poria), and 20 g of Danshen (red sage), decoct in water, and divide into two doses in the morning and evening.

3. Yinchen red date porridge

Take 10 g of Yinchen, 10 red dates, 100 g of rice, and 5 g of Wuweizi (Schisandra chinensis), add water, and simmer over low heat for 40 minutes before eating.

4. Yinchen safflower soup

Take an appropriate amount of Yinchen, rhubarb, gardenia, hawthorn, Chaihu (Bupleurum), Jinqiancao (Lysimachia christinae), and safflower, decoct in water, and divide into two doses in the morning and evening.

5. Yinchen liver-clearing water

Take 50 g of Yinchen, 3 red dates, and 30 g of Baihuasheshecao (Oldenlandia diffusa), brew in water and take as a decoction, divided into two doses in the morning and evening.

6. Yinchen corn silk tea

Take 15 g of Yinchen, 15 g of dandelion, and 30 g of corn silk, grind into powder, add boiling water, and drink.