What are the benefits and禁忌 of eating white wormwood in spring?

In general, the benefits of eating Artemisia princeps (baihao) in spring include clearing heat and detoxifying the body, reducing swelling and promoting urination, promoting bile secretion and protecting the liver, preventing and fighting illness, and cooling the blood to stop bleeding. Contraindications include avoiding use by those with deficiency-cold in the spleen and stomach, cautious use by individuals with yang deficiency, contraindication during pregnancy, avoiding excessive consumption, and avoiding spicy or irritating foods. Specific details are as follows:

I. Benefits

1. Clearing Heat and Detoxification
Consuming an appropriate amount of Artemisia princeps in spring can help relieve symptoms caused by excess internal heat, such as sore throat, mouth ulcers, and tongue sores. Its ability to clear heat and remove toxins helps eliminate internal heat-toxin and maintain overall health.

2. Reducing Swelling and Promoting Urination
Artemisia princeps has properties that reduce swelling and promote urination, offering relief for conditions such as jaundice due to damp-heat and edema with reduced urine output. It aids in expelling excess fluid from the body and alleviating bodily swelling.

3. Promoting Bile Secretion and Liver Protection
Artemisia princeps stimulates bile secretion, accelerates the breakdown and excretion of cholesterol, and helps prevent gallstone formation. Additionally, it reduces liver inflammation and enhances the liver’s detoxification function, thereby providing protective effects on the liver.

4. Disease Prevention and Resistance
The natural medicinal components in Artemisia princeps can inhibit and eliminate various pathogens, including *Staphylococcus aureus* and *Shigella* bacteria, thus enhancing the body's anti-inflammatory and antiviral capabilities. It also accelerates the metabolism of dampness in the body, helping prevent diseases such as damp-heat jaundice.

5. Cooling the Blood and Stopping Bleeding
Artemisia princeps is effective in treating symptoms such as coughing up blood, vomiting blood, and bloody stools caused by blood heat. It promotes the elimination of internal heat-toxins and helps resolve blood-heat symptoms more quickly.

II. Contraindications

1. Avoid Use in Individuals with Spleen-Stomach Deficiency-Cold
Artemisia princeps is cold in nature. People with deficiency-cold in the spleen and stomach may experience worsened symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea after consuming it. Therefore, individuals with this condition should avoid using Artemisia princeps.

2. Use with Caution in Those with Yang Deficiency
Individuals with yang deficiency have insufficient yang energy; consuming cold-natured Artemisia princeps may further damage yang qi, leading to increased physical weakness.

3. Contraindicated During Pregnancy
Artemisia princeps has certain stimulating properties. Pregnant women who consume it may experience uterine contractions, increasing the risk of miscarriage or premature labor. Therefore, pregnant women should avoid its use.

4. Avoid Excessive Consumption
Artemisia princeps is a medicinal herb, and excessive intake may lead to adverse reactions such as vomiting and diarrhea. Therefore, dosage should be carefully controlled to prevent overconsumption.

5. Avoid Spicy and Irritating Foods
During consumption of Artemisia princeps, avoid spicy and irritating foods such as chili peppers and Sichuan pepper, as they may interfere with its therapeutic effects. Additionally, refrain from alcohol consumption and smoking, which are detrimental habits.

While consuming Artemisia princeps in spring offers multiple health benefits, its contraindications must also be carefully observed.