White
Atractylodes Rhizome (bai zhu)
Rhizoma
Atractylodis Macrocephalae
Properties:
The herb is bitter and sweet in flavour, warm in nature,
and acts on the spleen stomach channels. Being sweet and
warm for invigorating Qi, bitter and warm for removing
dampness, it mainly invigorates the spleen-qi and stomach-qi,
removes dampness and activates the spleen. It is soften
used for deficiency of the spleen and stomach and water
retention. In addition, sufficiency of the spleen-qi and
stomach-qi enables superficial Qi to protect the body from
diseases, water to circulate and to prevent midcarriage.
Therefore, the herb has the effects of consolidating
superficies to stop sweating, inducing diuresis and
preventing miscarriage.
Effects:
Invigorating Qi, consolidating superficies, removing
dampness, inducing diuresis and preventing miscarriage.
Indications:
1. It is often
used in combination with ginseng, poria and liquorice for
invigorating Qi and strengthening the spleen, such as
Sijunzi Decoction, to treat deficiency of spleen-qi and
stomach-qi, anorexia, gastro-abdominal distention and
fullness, lassitude and loose stool; with astragalus root,
dangshen, bupleurum root and other herbs for invigoration
Qi and elevating Yang, to treat sinking of Qi in the
middle-jiao, lingering diarrhea and proctoptosis; and
unripen hitter orange for strengthening the spleen and
removing food rentention, to treat deficiency of spleen-qi
and stomach-qi and dyspepsic abdominal distention.
2. It is often
used in combination with astragalus root, prepared aconite
root, areca nut shell, poria and other herbs for
invigorating Qi, warming Yang, inducing diuresis and
eliminating edema, to treat deficiency of spleen-yang and
kidney-yang, edema and difficulty in urination; and with
poria, cinnamom twig, liquorice and other herbs for
warming Yang and removing fluid retention, such as Gui Zhu
Gan Decoction, to treat deficiency of spleen, excessive
dampness, phlegm retention, dizziness, palpitation,
oppressive chest and short breath.
3. It can be used
in combination with astragalus root, light wheat and other
herbs for invigorating Qi and consolidating superficies to
stop sweating, to treat deficiency of Qi and spontaneous
perspiration; and with white peony root, schisandra fruit
oyster shell and other drugs for nourishing Yin and
astringing perspiration, to treat deficiency of Yin and
night sweat.
In addition, The
herb can also be used to treat deficiency of spleen and
threatened abortion.
Dosage and
Administration:
5-15g. Used
stir-baked for invigorating Qi and strengthening the
spleen, and used unprepared for removing dampness and
inducing diuresis.
