Atractylodes Rhizome (cang zhu)
Phizoma Atractylodis
Properties:
Bitter and pungent in flavour, warm in nature, it acts on
the spleen and stomach channels. The pungent flavour is
dispelling, the dry property is dampness removing and
the warm property dispels the cold. So, this herb
possesses the functions of expelling the wind-cold from
the superficial parts of the body, as well as the
cold-dampness and excessive fluid in spleen and stomach.
It is therefore indicated for the diseases caused by
dampness no matter it is in the exterior or the interior
of the body.
Effects:
Eliminating dampness, strengthening the spleen, dispelling
wind and cold, relieving exterior syndrome.
Indications:
1. For the
syndromes of dampness retention in the middle-jiao, poor appetite and loose
stool, oppressive chest, mass in the abdome, and white and greasy tongue
coating, it is often used in combination with the drugs for removing
dampness, promoting Qi circulation and relieving abdominal distention, such
as tangerine peel and magnolia bark, known as Ping Wei San (Peptide Posere).
2. For
arthralgia due to wind-cold and dampness, it is often
used in combination with ledebouriella root,
notopterygium root and clematis root. In cases of
arthralgia caused by damp-heat, it is often used in
combination with the medicines for clearing heat and
dampness, such as phellodendron bark, coix seed, etc.
For treating affection by exopathogens marked by
aversion to cold and fever, it is used in combination
with ledebouriella root, dahurian angelica root and
Chuanxiong rhizome to dispel wind, cold and dampness and
alleviate pain.
In
addition, it is tenebit to vision and to used for night
blindness.
Dosage and Administration:
5-10g. The prepared
atractylodes rhizome is often used for removing dampness
and strengthening the spleen, and the unprepared for
dispelling wind to relieve exterior syndrome.
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