Capillary Artemisia

Botanical

What is it

Capillary artemisia (Artemisia capillaris), known as yin chen hao in traditional Chinese medicine, is a perennial herb. The above-ground parts are used as an herbal remedy for liver and biliary support.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Liver and bile flow support (traditional use)

Mixed Evidence

Long traditional use for jaundice and liver complaints. Animal data support choleretic effects, but well-controlled human trials are limited.

How it works

Capillary artemisia contains scoparone, capillin, and other coumarins, flavonoids, and essential oils. Scoparone has been shown in animal studies to have choleretic (bile-flow-stimulating) effects and modest anti-inflammatory activity. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is a common ingredient in formulations for jaundice and damp-heat liver conditions. Modern controlled human trials are limited.

Dosage

Traditional preparations use 6-15 g of dried herb daily as a decoction. Standardized extracts vary widely; follow product label.

When and how to take it

Traditional decoctions are typically taken between or before meals, often two to three times daily. Follow product label for modern extracts.

2 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Dried herb decoction

Traditional preparation.

Hot water extracts coumarins and flavonoids

Standardized extract

Used in capsule and tincture form.

Concentration varies

Safety

Generally well-tolerated short-term. Occasional reports of mild GI upset. Long-term human safety data are limited. Misidentification with other Artemisia species (which contain thujone or other compounds) is a concern with foraged or poorly sourced material.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy due to lack of safety data. People with biliary obstruction or active hepatobiliary disease should consult a clinician before use.

Interactions

May modestly enhance bile flow and could theoretically interact with hepatically metabolized drugs. Clinical data are limited.

Frequently asked questions

Is capillary artemisia the same as wormwood?⌄

No. Wormwood is Artemisia absinthium and contains thujone. Capillary artemisia is a different species used for liver support.

Can I use it long-term?⌄

Long-term safety is not well established. Use under guidance of a qualified herbalist or clinician.

References

Capillary Artemisia on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Capillary Artemisia on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Capillary Artemisia (PubMed search) — PubMed link

Track Capillary Artemisia with Pilora

Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.

Coming to App Store
Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.