Mian Yin Chen (Rolled into clumps, densely covered with white down, soft like velvet, brittle and easily broken, fragrant aroma)
Mian Yin Chen
Bei Yin Chen (Surface is grayish-green, densely covered with fine hairs, distinct nodes, leaves are wrinkled)
Bei Yin Chen
Bei Yin Chen
【Naming】
【Source】
Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic, Superior Grade‧Yin Chen Hao (Capillaris Artemisiae)
【Commonly Used Degree】
A
【Botanical Origin】
Dried young sprouts of Artemisia capillaris Thunb. or Artemisia scoparia Waldst et Kit. of the Asteraceae family, commonly known as Mian Yin Chen. Bei Yin Chen is the dried whole plant of Origanum vulgare L. of the Lamiaceae family.
【Characteristics】
(1) Mian Yin Chen: The dried young sprouts are mostly rolled into clumps, grayish-green, densely covered with white down, soft like velvet. The stems are thin, 6~10㎝ long, mostly curved or broken; branches are thin, the base is thicker, 1.5㎜ in diameter. After removing the white down on the surface, obvious longitudinal lines can be seen. Complete leaves usually have petioles, connected to thin stems, the leaf blade is divided into thread-like strands, soft like velvet, with a peculiar aroma, slightly bitter taste.
(2) Bei Yin Chen: The stem is cylindrical, about 30~40㎝ long, the stem is about 2~3㎜ thick, the surface is grayish-green, slightly brownish-purple, densely covered with fine hairs, the nodes are obvious, the internodes are 2~3㎝ long, easily broken, the cross-section is hollow. Leaves are opposite, mostly wrinkled, green, complete leaves are broadly ovate, the apex is obtuse, entire margin. The surface has short fine hairs, mostly without inflorescences, but spikelike cymes can be seen on old branches. The aroma is fragrant, the taste is pungent and cool.
【Identification】
《Zheng Lei Ben Cao》: “The ones from Mount Tai are the best”.
1. Mian Yin Chen: The best ones are those that are soft like cotton, silvery-green, without stems, and have a strong fragrance.
2. Bei Yin Chen: The best ones are those with many leaves, green color, no inflorescences, and without roots.
【Category】
Whole Herb Category