White Atractylodes, Bai Zhu, 白朮Bai Zhu (TCM)
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Sliced White Atractylodes (Bai Zhu) (Adam, 2016)
Botanical name:
Atractylodes spp.
Parts used:
Root, rhizome
Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Bitter, sweet
Atractylodes spp.
- A. macrocephalae (White)
- A. lancea, A. chinensis (Dark)
Parts used:
Root, rhizome
Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Bitter, sweet
Uses:
WHITE ATRACTYLODES
1. Tonifies Spleen, increases Qi, Clears Damp:
-digestive weakness with poor appetite, indigestion, diarrhea and weakness
2. Dries Damp, Promotes Urine:
3. Stabilizes the Exterior, Stops Sweating:
4. Calms the Fetus, Prevents Miscarriage:
DARK ATRACTYLODES:
1. Dries Damp, strengthens the Spleen:
-stronger to dry damp but weaker to Tonify than the White.
2. Clears Wind-Damp, Promotes Sweat:
3. Dries Damp, Promotes Urine:
4. Benefit the Eyes:
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
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:
WHITE ATRACTYLODES (Bai Zhu):
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
DARK ATRACTYLODES (Cang Zhu):
1. Spleen deficiency with excess Damp:
i. Damp obstruction, Edema and Leukorrhea, the two Atractylodes are combined.
ii. with abdominal distention, poor appetite, nausea, Atractylodes Cang Zhu ... available in PRO version
2. Sudden-onset Diarrhea in Summer or after eating too much, Atractylodes Cang Zhu ... available in PRO version
3. Heat and Damp in the lower body with pain, swelling and redness of the lower body or skin lesions associated with Wind, Heat and Damp, combine Atractylodes Cang Zhu with ... available in PRO version
4. Damp diseases with excess Sweating, Atractylodes Cang Zhu with ... available in PRO version
5. External Wind-Cold-Damp, combine Atractylodes Cang Zhu with ... available in PRO version
6. Distention and pain of the chest, epigastrium or abdomen due to Damp and Qi obstruction ... available in PRO version
7. Cataracts, Night blindness, combine Atractylodes Cang Zhu with ... available in PRO version
Major Formulas:
BAI ZHU:
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
CANG ZHU:
Ping Wei San
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:
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)