Pharmaceutical Name:

Rhizoma Atractylodis

Botanical Name:

Atractylodes Lancea (Thunb.) DC.
A. chinensis (DC.) Koidz.
Atractylodes japonica koidz. Ex Kitam.

Common Name:

Atractylodes Root

Source of Earliest Record:

Shennong Bencao Jing

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations:

The rhizomes are dug in spring or autumn; those gathered in autumn are better.  After the fibrous roots have been removed, the rhizomes are cleaned and dried in the sun, soaked in water and cut into slices.  The raw slices are then fried until yellowish in color.

Properties and Taste:

Pungent, bitter and warm

Meridian:

Spleen and stomach

Functions:

To dry dampness and strengthen the spleen
To expel wind and dampness
To promote sweating, expels pathogens

Indications and Combinations:

1.     Dampness blocking the spleen and stomach manifested as epigastric distension and fullness, poor appetite, nausea or vomiting, lassitude and sticky tongue coating
*Use with Magnolia bark (Hou po) and Tangerine peel (Chen pi) in the formula Pingwei San.

2.      Wind-cold-damp obstruction syndrome manifested as swollen and painful knee joints and weakness of the lower limbs.
*Use with Chaenomeles fruit (Mu gua), Mulberry twigs (Sang zhi) and Pubescent angelica root (Du huo).

3.     Exterior syndrome due to invasion by exogenous pathogenic wind, cold and dampness manifested as soreness and heaviness of the limbs, chills, fever, headache and heavy sensation in the head.
*Use with Ledebouriella root (Fang feng) and Asarum herb (Xi xin).

4.      Downward flow of damp-heat manifested as swollen and painful knees and legs and weakness of the lower limbs. 
*Use with Phellodendron bark (Huang bai) and Cyathula root (Niu xi) in the formula Sanmiao Wan.

Dosage:

5-10 g

Cautions:

Avoid use in conditions of excessive sweating due to deficient Qi or deficient Yin with heat signs.