The Medical Origins records that Atractylodes "dispels dampness and promotes dryness, harmonizes the middle burner and boosts qi, warms the middle, removes dampness from the spleen and stomach, clears stomach heat, strengthens the spleen and stomach, enhances appetite, quenches thirst, and stabilizes pregnancy." The Divine Farmer's Classic of Materia Medica describes Atractylodes as "sweet and warm in nature, non-toxic, treating wind-cold-damp arthralgia, necrotic muscles, and jaundice; it stops sweating, clears heat, and aids digestion."The Attributes of Medicinal Properties describes Atractylodes macrocephala as "sweet in taste, warm in nature, non-toxic. It can ascend or descend, being yang in nature. Its uses are fourfold: it promotes urination, eliminating dampness; strengthens the spleen and stomach, enhancing appetite; assists Scutellaria baicalensis in stabilizing pregnancy; and, when paired with Ziziphus jujuba, effectively eliminates fullness."
Atractylodes macrocephala primarily treats spleen deficiency with poor appetite, abdominal distension and diarrhea, phlegm retention with dizziness and palpitations, edema, spontaneous sweating, and fetal restlessness. To tonify the spleen and stomach, combine with Codonopsis pilosula or Glycyrrhiza uralensis; to eliminate fullness and distension, use with Ziziphus jujuba; to fortify the spleen, dry dampness, and stop diarrhea, pair with Citrus reticulata or Poria cocos;To treat cold phlegm, combine with Poria cocos and Cinnamomum cassia; for edema, often use with Poria cortex and Areca catechu; for superficial deficiency with spontaneous sweating, combine with Astragalus membranaceus and Floating Wheat; for fetal restlessness with internal heat, pair with Scutellaria baicalensis; for lumbago, use with Eucommia ulmoides and Taxillus chinensis.
Modern pharmacological research reveals that Atractylodes macrocephala possesses multiple pharmacological effects, including anti-ulcer activity, hepatoprotection, enhancement of immune function, stress resistance, promotion of hematopoiesis, diuresis, inhibition of uterine contractions, antioxidant properties, anti-aging effects, hypoglycemia, anticoagulation, and antitumor activity.Pharmacological effects related to its spleen-tonifying and qi-nourishing properties include regulating gastrointestinal motility, anti-ulcer activity, hepatoprotection, immune enhancement, stress resistance, and hematopoietic stimulation. Its dampness-drying and water-draining effects correlate with diuretic action, while its pregnancy-stabilizing effect relates to uterine contraction inhibition. Contraindicated for yin deficiency with dry thirst or qi stagnation with distension. Standard decoction dosage: 6-12 grams.
The efficacy of Atractylodes macrocephala varies with different processing methods. Common clinical preparations include:
1. Raw Atractylodes macrocephala: Cleanse impurities, soak thoroughly in water, drain, slice, and sun-dry. Excels at strengthening the spleen and promoting bowel movements.When used for laxative effects, raw Atractylodes can be decocted at 30 grams daily, often combined with Zhi Shi (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus).
2. Fried Atractylodes (also known as Zhi Bai Zhu): First, spread one part wheat bran in a hot wok. When smoke appears, add ten parts Atractylodes slices and lightly fry until pale yellow. Remove, sift out the bran, and let cool.Fried Atractylodes excels at drying dampness. 3. Charred Atractylodes, also known as Charred Atractylodes or Atractylodes Charcoal, is prepared by roasting Atractylodes slices over high heat until charred yellow, then spraying with water and air-drying. Charred Atractylodes excels at warming and transforming cold dampness, as well as astringing and stopping diarrhea.
4. Earth-Roasted Atractylodes: Grind one part stove-heart soil (Fuluogan) into fine powder. Heat in a pan, add five parts Atractylodes slices, and stir-fry until coated with earth color. Remove, sift out soil, and cool. Earth-roasted Atractylodes is renowned for strengthening the spleen, harmonizing the stomach, and stopping diarrhea and vomiting.