（本经上品）
【气味】苦平，无毒。
【主治】主风湿寒热邪气，热结黄胆。久服轻身，益气耐老；面白悦，长年。白兔食之
仙。
【核】曰∶生太山，及丘陵坡岸上，所在亦有，不及太山者佳。春生苗，似蓬蒿而叶紧
细。九月作花，结实与 花实相似。亦有无花无实者，秋后茎枯，经冬不死，至春旧苗复
生。修治，用叶有八角者，阴干，去根，细锉，勿令犯火。伏 砂。
先人云∶诸邪成热，入中为疸，必从腠理脉络而内薄之。陈丝如腠如理，如脉如络，芬
芳疏利，味苦健行，则入者出，结者散矣。又云∶诚山厨之清供，脾土之生阳者也。
【 】曰∶甲子季春，经山阴道中，远瞩篱落间，宛若绿气蒸出，就之丛生似藻，纤柔
青整，讯之土人，即茵陈蒿也。始释“ 蒿凄怆，沐醯青陈之丝”之义。藏器谓其因旧苗而
发，因名茵陈。内经云∶春三月，此谓发陈，大相吻合。故因者，仍也，托也；陈者，故也，
有也，木德之始也。言仍托故有，以宣木德之始，虽与蘩萧蔚莪，至秋老成，同为蒿属，不
若此芳香宣发之能因陈致新耳。寒热邪气，交结于中，不能宣发，则郁霉成黄，此陈也。茵
陈宣发发陈，外入之邪外出，陈去而新生矣。轻身面悦白者，久服则新新非故。益气者，即
益新新宣发之气耳。
【本经上品】
【气味】味苦，性平，无毒。
【主治】主治风湿寒热等邪气，以及热结导致的黄疸。长期服用可使人身体轻健，益气延年；面色白而润泽，长寿。白兔食用它便能成仙。
【核】曰：茵陈蒿生长在泰山，以及丘陵坡岸上，各地也有生长，但不如泰山的品质好。春天生出苗叶，形状像蓬蒿但叶子更紧细。九月开花，结的果实与花实相似。也有不开花不结果的，秋后茎枯死，但经过冬天不死，到了春天旧有的苗又会重新生长。炮制方法，选用有八个角的叶片，阴干，去掉根部，细细切碎，不要让火接触。它能伏藏砂气（指其药性能化解或适应燥烈之性）。
先父说：各种邪气郁结化热，侵入体内形成黄疸，必定是从腠理脉络向内侵迫。茵陈的丝状结构如同腠理、纹理，又如同脉络，气味芳香且疏通利导，味道苦能健行，那么进入体内的邪气就能排出，郁结的气机就能消散。又说：茵陈确实是山间厨房的清雅供品，是脾土生发阳气的药物。
【颂】曰：甲子年季春时节，经过山阴道中，远远望去篱笆之间，仿佛有绿色的气息蒸腾而出，走近看丛生如藻类，纤细柔嫩青翠整齐，询问当地人，就是茵陈蒿。这才解释了“蒿凄怆，沐醯青陈之丝”的含义。藏器认为它是因旧苗而发出新芽，因此命名为茵陈。《内经》说：春季三个月，这叫做发陈，与此非常吻合。所以“因”的意思是仍、托附；“陈”的意思是故、有，是木德开始的象征。意思是仍然托附于旧有之物，以宣发木德之初，虽然它与蘩、萧、蔚、莪一样，到秋天老熟，同属蒿类，但不如这种芳香宣发的特性能够因陈致新。寒热邪气交结在体内，不能宣发，就会郁积发霉变成黄色，这就是“陈”。茵陈宣发、发陈，使外入的邪气外出，陈旧的病邪去除而新生了。身体轻健、面色白而润泽，是因为长期服用使得新的生机取代了旧有的病态。益气，就是益助那宣发新生的气机罢了。
[Shangpin (Superior Category) of the Classic of Materia Medica]
[Flavor and Nature] Bitter, neutral, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats pathogenic factors such as wind-dampness, cold-heat, and heat accumulation causing jaundice. Long-term consumption lightens the body, benefits qi, and promotes longevity; it whitens and beautifies the complexion, extending life. If a white rabbit consumes it, it becomes immortal.
[Analysis] Says: It grows on Mount Tai, as well as on hillsides and slopes. It is found elsewhere, but those from Mount Tai are superior. Seedlings emerge in spring, resembling Artemisia sieversiana (Penthao) but with tighter, finer leaves. Flowers appear in the ninth lunar month, bearing fruits similar to the flowers. Some plants do not flower or bear fruit. After autumn, the stems wither, but they survive the winter, and old seedlings regenerate in spring. For processing, select leaves with eight angles, dry them in the shade, remove the roots, slice finely, and avoid exposure to fire. It can subdue sand [referring to its ability to mitigate harsh/dry properties].
My late father said: When various pathogens transform into heat and enter the interior to cause jaundice, they must invade internally through the couli (skin pores and interstices) and meridians. The filamentous structure of Yinchen resembles couli, textures, meridians, and collaterals. Its aromatic nature unblocks and facilitates flow, and its bitter taste promotes vigorous movement. Thus, pathogens that have entered will exit, and accumulations will dissipate. He also said: Yinchen is indeed a pure offering for mountain kitchens and a herb that generates yang qi for the Spleen Earth.
[Song] Says: In the late spring of the Jiazi year, traveling along the Shanyin Road, looking from afar at the fences, it seemed as if green vapor was rising. Upon approaching, it grew in clusters like algae, slender, soft, green, and neat. Asking the locals, I learned it was Yinchen Hao (Artemisia capillaris). Only then did I understand the meaning of "Hao qichuang, mu xi qing chen zhi si" (The mugwort is desolate, washed in vinegar, green silk of the old). Zangqi stated that it sprouts from old seedlings, hence the name Yinchen (Old Bedding/Mat). The Neijing states: "In the three months of spring, this is called Fa Chen (Releasing the Old)." This aligns perfectly. Therefore, "Yin" means still/continue and support/rely upon; "Chen" means old/past and existing, representing the beginning of Wood virtue. It implies continuing to rely on the old to promote the initial expression of Wood virtue. Although it belongs to the Mugwort genus like Fan, Xiao, Wei, and E, maturing in autumn, it differs in its ability to use its aromatic nature to release and renew, transforming the old into the new. When cold-heat pathogens knot together internally and cannot be released, they stagnate and turn yellow—this is "Chen" (the old/stagnation). Yinchen releases and promotes Fa Chen, expelling external pathogens outward; when the old stagnation is removed, new vitality arises. Lightening the body and whitening the face result from long-term consumption where new vitality replaces the old pathology. Benefiting qi refers to assisting the qi of renewal and release.