This product is the rhizome of the perennial herbaceous plant White Atractylodes Rhizome (Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz.) from the Asteraceae family. It is mainly produced in Zhejiang, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, and other regions. It is harvested in winter when the lower leaves turn yellow and the upper leaves become brittle. After removing the soil and sand, it is dried by baking or sun-drying, and then the fibrous roots are removed. It is cut into thick slices and used either raw or stir-fried with soil or bran until it turns dark brown, known as charred White Atractylodes Rhizome.

bubble_chart Properties and Meridians

Bitter and sweet, warm. act on spleen and stomach channels.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Tonifying qi and invigorating the spleen, drying dampness, promoting urination, stopping sweating, and calming the fetus.

bubble_chart Indications

1. Used for spleen stomach qi deficiency, weak transportation and transformation, reduced food intake, loose stool, abdominal distension and fullness, limb weakness, mental fatigue, and other symptoms. White Atractylodes Rhizome has the effect of tonifying qi and invigorating the spleen. For treating spleen qi deficiency, lack of vitality, and fatigue, it is often combined with Ginseng, Poria, etc., to tonify qi and strengthen the spleen. For treating deficiency-cold of the spleen and stomach, abdominal distension and fullness, and diarrhea, it is often combined with Ginseng, Dried Ginger, etc., to warm the middle and strengthen the spleen. For treating spleen deficiency with retention of food, abdominal stuffiness and fullness, it is often combined with Immature Orange Fruit to both eliminate and tonify.
2. Used for spleen deficiency with water retention, leading to phlegm-fluid retention, edema, and difficulty in urination. White Atractylodes Rhizome can both tonify qi and invigorate the spleen, and also dry dampness and promote urination, making it very suitable. For treating phlegm-fluid retention, it is often combined with Cinnamon Twig, Poria, etc. (such as Poria, Cinnamon Twig, Bighead Atractylodes and Licorice Decoction), to warm the spleen and resolve retained fluid. For treating edema, it is often combined with Poria, Alisma, etc. (such as Powder of Four Ingredients with Poria), to invigorate the spleen and drain dampness.
3. Used for spleen deficiency with weak qi, leading to excessive sweating due to unconsolidated exterior. White Atractylodes Rhizome can tonify the spleen and replenish qi, consolidate the exterior and stop sweating. It can be used alone as a powder or combined with Astragalus Root, light wheat, etc.
4. Used for spleen deficiency with weak qi, leading to threatened abortion. White Atractylodes Rhizome has the effect of tonifying qi and invigorating the spleen, and calming the fetus. It is often combined with Villous Amomum Fruit.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Benjing: "It governs wind-cold-dampness impediment, dead flesh, convulsions, jaundice, stops sweating, eliminates heat, and promotes digestion."
2. Bencao Huiyan: "White Atractylodes Rhizome is an essential herb for supporting the spleen and stomach, dispersing dampness, relieving impediment, promoting digestion, and eliminating stuffiness. For spleen deficiency and lack of strength, Atractylodes can tonify it; for stomach deficiency and poor appetite, Atractylodes can assist it."

bubble_chart Usage and Dosage

Decoct and take 10-15g. Use raw for drying dampness and promoting urination, stir-fry for tonifying qi and invigorating the spleen, and stir-fry until brown for strengthening the spleen and stopping diarrhea.

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

White Atractylodes Rhizome contains volatile oil, with the main component being Atractylodes Rhizome ketone, as well as White Atractylodes Rhizome lactones A and B, and sugars (mainly mannose and fructose). White Atractylodes Rhizome has tonic, diuretic, hypoglycemic, and anticoagulant effects, and it can protect the liver and prevent the reduction of liver glycogen caused by carbon tetrachloride.