Atractylodis Rhizama
Aliases：Xiān Shù (Immortal Herb); Máo Shù (Spear Herb); Chì Shù (Red Herb); Qīng Shù (Green Herb); Shān Jīng (Mountain Essence); Mǎ Jì (Horse Thistle).
Cang Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried rhizome of Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. or Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz., plants of the Asteraceae family. The rhizome is excavated in spring and autumn, with sediment removed, dried in the sun, and the fibrous roots are removed by rubbing. Cang Zhu was first recorded in the Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), where it was originally grouped with Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes) under the single name “Zhu.” It was not until the Song Dynasty that the two were distinguished as separate herbs.
Efficacy & Actions
Dries dampness and strengthens the spleen, dispels wind and disperses cold, and improves eyesight.
Indications
Used for dampness obstructing the middle jiao, epigastric and abdominal distension and fullness, diarrhea, edema, beriberi with flaccidity, rheumatic arthralgia, wind-cold colds, night blindness, and blurred vision. It is also used for phlegm-rheum, leukorrhea, and flaccidity due to damp-heat descending, among other conditions.
Modern Pharmacology
Regulation of gastrointestinal function: Improves gastrointestinal motility, with stronger effect after bran-frying. Anti-inflammatory effect: Exhibits good anti-inflammatory activity. Antitumor effect: Shows certain antitumor activity. Anti-gastric ulcer effect: Has protective effect against gastric ulcers. Hepatoprotective effect: Protects the liver. Hypoglycemic effect: Lowers blood glucose, often combined with Xuanshen (Scrophularia). Antimicrobial effect: Possesses antibacterial and antiviral activity. Anti-lung injury effect: Protects against lung injury. Analgesic effect: Exhibits analgesic activity.
Ingredients
Volatile oils: Atractylone, atractylodin, β-eudesmol, hinesol, β-elemene, etc. Sesquiterpenoids. Enynes. Polysaccharides. Organic acids. Other constituents: Atractylenolide, atractylenolide C, etc.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, the standard dosage is 3–9g; or prepared in pills or powder.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with yin deficiency and internal heat: Cang Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome) is bitter, warm, and drying, which may easily consume yin fluids. Contraindicated in patients with qi deficiency and excessive sweating. Dietary restrictions: Avoid peaches, plums, sparrow meat, cabbage, and herring. Use with caution in patients with blood deficiency and weakness, or emotional depression with qi stagnation: Inappropriate use may consume qi and blood, and dry body fluids. Use with caution during pregnancy and in patients with qi deficiency and fluid depletion.
Selected Formulas
For damp obstruction in the middle jiao with epigastric and abdominal distension, nausea, poor appetite, and white greasy tongue coating (Heji Ju Fang, Pingwei San) Take Cangzhu (Atractylodes lancea) and combine with Houpo (Magnolia bark), Chenpi (tangerine peel), and Gancao (Licorice). Decoct in water and drink. For damp-warm disease with profuse sweating (Lei Zheng Huo Ren Shu, Baihu Jia Cangzhu Tang) Take Cangzhu and combine with Zhimu (Anemarrhena), Gancao, Shigao (Gypsum), and Jingmi (rice). Decoct and drink. For sinew and bone pain due to damp-heat descending (Danxi Xinfa, Ermiao San) Take Cangzhu and combine with Huangbai (Phellodendron). Grind into powder or decoct in water. For flaccidity and weakness of the feet and knees due to damp-heat descending (Yixue Zhengzhuan, Sanmiao Wan) Take Cangzhu and combine with Huangbai and Chuan Niuxi (Achyranthes). Make into pills or decoct in water. For seasonal epidemic diseases with headache, neck stiffness, fever, and chills (Heji Ju Fang, Shenshu San) Take Cangzhu and combine with Gaoben (Ligusticum), Baizhi (Angelica dahurica), Xixin (Asarum), Qianghuo (Notopterygium), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum), and Gancao. Decoct in water and drink. For acute summer diarrhea and food injury (Heji Ju Fang, Qushu Wan) Take Cangzhu and combine with Shenqu (medicated leaven). Make into pills and take.
Daily Consumption
Cang Zhu Tea: Take 3–5g of Cang Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome), steep in boiling water, and drink as a tea. It may help strengthen the spleen and dry dampness. Cang Zhu Congee: Cang Zhu can be cooked with Coix Seed (Yì Yǐ Rén) and Poria (Fú Líng) to make a congee. This helps resolve dampness and strengthen the spleen.
Medicinal Parts
Dried rhizome.
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry, airtight container in a well-ventilated, dry place; protect from mold and insects.