Atractylodes, Bai Zhu

Sliced White Atractylodes (Bai Zhu) (Adam, 2016)

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Botanical name:

Atractylodes spp.

1. A. macrocephalae (White)
2. A. lancea, A. chinensis (Dark)

Parts used:

Root, rhizome

Temperature & Taste:

Warm, dry. Bitter, sweet

Uses:

1. Tonifies Spleen, increases Qi, Clears Damp:
-digestive weakness with poor appetite, indigestion, diarrhea and weakness
-it can be used for Melancholy disorders associated with Damp
2. Dries Damp, Promotes Urine:
-Edema, fluid retention, reduced urination associated with Spleen deficiency
-good for fluid swelling of the lower body
-Damp-type joint and muscle Pain
-Leukorrhea
-‘replenishes deficient condition in the lumbar region and knees’ (Da MIng)
-‘good for treating arthralgia due to attack of pathogenic Wind, Cold and Damp’. (Shen Nong Ben Cao)
-useful for all Damp-Phlegm conditions associated with deficiency and Spleen weakness
3. Stabilises the Exterior, Stops Sweating:
-Sweating associated with deficiency
-strengthens the exterior defense to prevent acute attacks of Wind-Cold or Epidemics
-‘clears Wind from the skin and face, with headache and vertigo’. (Ming Yi Bie Lu)
4. Calms the Fetus, Prevents Miscarriage:
-Fetal Restlessness (overactive Fetus, heavy, dragging feeling in the lower abdomen during pregnancy, weakness)
-good to strengthen the mother and fetus during pregnancy
-Edema and fluid retention during pregnancy.

Dose:

Light and Dark Atractylodes, and the prepared and unprepared root are all used in similar doses.
Decoction: 6–15 grams
Powder; 1.5–4 grams

Comment:

1. Two separate medicines come under the heading of Atractylodes: White (Bai Zhu) and Dark (Cang Zhu). The White is stronger to increase Qi and tonify the Spleen, for weakness and fatigue. The Dark is stronger to alleviate Damp and also promotes sweat due to its warm and aromatic nature. They are combined for cases with both marked deficiency and damp. In cases where Bai Zhu is required but the person has significant Damp but less debility, Cang Zhu may replace Bai Zhu. In formulas requesting Cang Zhu, Bai Zhu may be used if there is marked debility.
2. Li Shi Zhen said of Bai Zhu and Cang Zhu ‘they have similar therapeutic effects, there is a little difference in their quality’. In older texts such as Shen Nong Ben Cao the two weren’t differentiated.

Preparation:

… available in PRO version

Substitutes:

… available in PRO version

Main Combinations:

Spleen Deficiency
1. For Spleen and Qi deficiency with low appetite, fatigue, weakness, Atractylodes Bai Zhu with … available in PRO version
2. For Spleen and Stomach and Qi deficiency with Cold, Atractylodes Bai Zhu with … available in PRO version
3. Poor digestion, nausea, loose bowels from Spleen weakness with Damp, Atractylodes Bai Zhu with Orange or Tangerine peel.
4. Diarrhea due to Damp and Spleen weakness, Atractylodes Bai Zhu with … available in PRO version
Phlegm, Damp
5. Edema, combine Atractylodes Bai Zhu with … available in PRO version
6. Thin phlegm in the Chest or Edema and water retention associated with Spleen weakness,  … available in PRO version
7. Wind-Phlegm-type Dizziness, Vertigo and Headache, combine Atractylodes Bai Zhu with … available in PRO version
Other
8. Spontaneous Sweating:
i. associated with deficiency, combine Atractylodes Bai Zhu with … available in PRO version
ii. with aversion to Wind, Atractylodes Bai Zhu with … available in PRO version
10. Restless Fetus:
i. associated with Heat, combine Atractylodes Bai Zhu with … available in PRO version
ii. due to marked Qi deficiency (fatigue, pale face, breathless), combine with … available in PRO version
iii. associated with Kidney weakness, combine Atractylodes Bai Zhu with … available in PRO version
iv. from Blood deficiency, combine Atractylodes Bai Zhu with … available in PRO version
11. Senile Dementia, Atractylodes Bai Zhu with … available in PRO version

Major Formulas:

Ba Zhen Tang
Shi Quan Da Bu Tang
Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang
Liu Jun Zi Tang
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Zhen Wu Tang
Dang Gui Shao Yan San
Yu Ping Feng San
Bai Zhu Shao Yao San
Xiao Yao San
Dan Zhi Xiao Yan San
Li Zhong Wan
Po Chai Pill

Cautions:

1. As they are very drying, they are not suitable for dry and Yin deficient conditions.
2. Dark Atractylodes (Cang Zhu) is not used in cases of profuse sweating.

Main Preparations used:

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(Last updated 9/2018)

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