The Functions and Benefits of White Atractylodes
Sep 13, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. He Haochen
Introduction
Atractylodes is the dried rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala, a perennial herb belonging to the Compositae family. It is categorized into Atractylodes and earth-fried Atractylodes, also known simply as "Zhu."
Properties: bitter, sweet, warm, and non-toxic.
Meridian tropism: spleen and stomach meridians.
Functions and indications: tonifies qi and strengthens the spleen; treats spleen and stomach qi deficiency. Promotes drying and diuresis, used for edema and phlegm-dampness syndromes. Stops sweating; indicated for spontaneous sweating due to qi deficiency.
Nowadays, many young people and elderly individuals understand the importance of self-care. Many older adults look up information on how to maintain health through television or books. However, when it comes to养生 (health preservation), they often don't truly understand the products they purchase or their actual effects. So, what are the functions and benefits of Bai Zhu (Atractylodes macrocephala)?
Functions and Benefits of Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu is the dried rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala, a perennial herb belonging to the Asteraceae (Compositae) family. It is available in forms such as raw Bai Zhu and soil-fried Bai Zhu, and is also known simply as "Zhu." Its properties are bitter, sweet, warm, and non-toxic. It acts on the spleen and stomach meridians. Main functions and indications include tonifying qi and strengthening the spleen, primarily used for conditions caused by deficiency of spleen and stomach qi. It promotes diuresis and dries dampness, treating edema and disorders related to phlegm-damp retention. It stops sweating and is used for spontaneous sweating due to qi deficiency. It also stabilizes the fetus and treats restlessness during pregnancy.
Abnormalities in the digestive and transformative functions of the spleen and stomach often lead to symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, sallow complexion, poor appetite, loose stools, and diarrhea. This herb is sweet and warm in nature, entering the spleen and stomach meridians, and has excellent effects in tonifying qi and strengthening the spleen. The classical formula Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) serves as the foundational prescription for tonifying qi and strengthening the spleen. Any condition involving spleen or qi deficiency can be treated based on modifications of this formula, which is widely used clinically in its original and derivative forms. When spleen deficiency leads to impaired fluid metabolism, dampness accumulates, resulting in edema. Bai Zhu not only strengthens the spleen to restore proper transformation and transportation but also dries dampness and promotes urination, eliminating retained dampness and pathogenic water from the body, making it an effective remedy for edema.
Bai Zhu is a qi-tonifying herb with a bitter, sweet, and warm nature that targets the spleen and stomach meridians. It functions to strengthen the spleen and boost qi, dry dampness and promote urination, fortify the exterior to stop sweating, and stabilize the fetus. It is commonly used to treat various conditions arising from spleen and qi deficiency, as well as internal retention of dampness due to spleen deficiency. Additionally, it shows therapeutic effects for spontaneous sweating caused by qi deficiency and fetal restlessness due to weakened spleen and qi. We hope this answer has been helpful to you. Wishing you good health and happiness in life.
