White Atractylodes, Bai Zhu 白朮

Bai Zhu (TCM)

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

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.

Main Combinations:

Spleen Deficiency

1. For Spleen and Qi deficiency with low appetite, fatigue, weakness, Atractylodes Bai Zhu with Ginseng (or Codonopsis Dang Shen), Poria Fu Ling and Licorice and in Si Jun Zi Tang [Four Gentlemen Decoction])
2. For Spleen and Stomach and Qi deficiency with Cold, Atractylodes Bai Zhu with Codonopsis Dang Shen and Ginger (as in Li Zhong Wan [Regulate the Middle Pill])
3. Poor digestion, nausea, loose bowels from Spleen weakness with Damp, Atractylodes Bai Zhu with Orange or Tangerine peel.
4. Spleen and Stomach deficiency with obstruction (abdominal fullness and distention), Atractylodes Bai Zhu with Unripe Bitter Orange (Zhi Shi). If there is Qi stagnation, add Tangerine peel (Chen Pi); with Heat add Coptis Huang Lian; with Phlegm add Pinellia Ban Xia; with Coldness add Ginger and Costus; if with Food Stagnation add Malted Barley (Mai Ya). (Jie Gu Jia Zhen)
5. Diarrhea due to Damp and Spleen weakness, Atractylodes Bai Zhu with Plantain seed (Che Qian Zi)
6. To strengthen Spleen and prolong Life:
i. Decoct the drug until thick and syrupy, then take with wine.
ii. Atractylodes Bai Zhu with Calamus (Shi Chang Pu) (Su Song)

Phlegm, Damp

7. Edema, combine Atractylodes Bai Zhu with Poria Fu Ling and Alisma Ze Xie.
8. Thin phlegm in the Chest or Edema and water retention associated with Spleen weakness, combine Atractylodes Bai Zhu, Cinnamon twig Gui Zhi and Poria Fu Ling.
9. The 5 types of Damp illness (i. damp/water below the Heart; ii. damp obstructing the flanks; iii. damp in the Stomach; iv. “spilling water”; v. water spilling from the Intestines) are treated with Atractylodes Bai Zhu (2 parts), roasted Ginger, and Cinnamon (1 part each). Form Honey pills. (Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang)
10. Wind-Phlegm-type Dizziness, Vertigo and Headache, combine Atractylodes Bai Zhu with Pinella Ban Xia, Gatrodia Tian Ma (as in Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang).
11. Water below the Heart, decocted Atractylodes Bai Zhu with Alisma (Water Plantain) Ze Xie.

Other

12. Spontaneous Sweating:
i. associated with deficiency, combine Atractylodes Bai Zhu with Astragalus Huang Qi.
ii. with aversion to Wind, Atractylodes Bai Zhu with Astragalus Huang Qi and Saposhnikoviae Fang Feng (as in Jade Windscreen Powder [Yu Ping Feng San]). This formula is also effective for strengthening those that continually catch cold and to prevent infection during Epidemics.
13. Restless Fetus:
i. associated with Heat, combine Atractylodes Bai Zhu with Scutellaria Huang Qin.
ii. due to marked Qi deficiency (fatigue, pale face, breathless), combine with Astragalus Huang Qi; severe cases, add Ginseng to the above.
iii. associated with Kidney weakness (lower back pain, constant urination), combine Atractylodes Bai Zhu with Taxillus Sang Ji Sheng and Eucommia Du Zhong.
iv. from Blood deficiency, combine Atractylodes Bai Zhu with Rehmannia Shu Di Huang and Paeonia Bai Shao.
14. Coldness following Birth, decoction Atractylodes Bai Zhi, Alisma (Water Plantain) Ze Xie and fresh Ginger. (Chan bao)
14. Senile Dementia, Atractylodes Bai Zhu with Ginseng, Rehmannia Shu Di Huang, Dang Gui, Licorice, Polygala Yuan Zhi (as in Qi Fu Yin)
15. Damp-type Joint pain, Rheumatism:
i. aching bones from Damp, Atractylodes Bai Zhu (1 oz.) is boiled in 3 cups of wine down to 1 cup. Take as a dose. (San Yin Liang Fang)
ii. Atractylodes Bai Zhu, Sesame seed (Chinese Materia Medica, Stuauoft)
16. Wind-stroke with Lockjaw, boil Atractylodes Bia Zhu (120 grams) in wine down to one-third, and take in one dose. (Qian Jin Fang).
17. Pills to promote Longevity:
i. mix powdered Atractylodes Bai Zhu with Red Date (Da Zao) pulp and form pills. (Chinese Materia Medica, Stuauoft)
ii. Atractylodes Bai Zhu with Lycium Gou Qi Zi, Mulberry (Sang Shen), powder and form pills with Honey. (Chinese Materia Medica, Stuauoft)
iii. Atractylodes Bai Zhu with Polygonum He Shou Wu, Black Beans, Chinese Red Dates (Da Zao), Lycium Gou Qi Zi, Mulberry (Sang Shen), powder and form pills with Honey. (Chinese Materia Medica, Stuauoft)

Major Formulas:

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