Product Overview
Origin
The immature fruit of Citrus aurantium L. or C. sinensis Osbeck. of family Rutaceae.
Location
Sichuan, Jiangxi, Fujian provinces in China.
Harvest
Collected the fell fruit during the period of May to June.
The true smell and taste
Fragrant, slightly sore after bitter when tasted.
Best quality
Green-brownish scarfskin, thick pulp, hard with strong fragrance.
Processing
Sliced and unprocessed or stir-baked with bran.
Property
Pungent, bitter, slightly cold; spleen, stomach and large intestine meridians entered.
Actions
Break qi and relieve stuffiness, resolve phlegm and relieve stagnation.
Indications
A. Syndrome of qi stagnation in stomach and spleen
It is the essential herb for breaking qi and relieving stuffiness, for it has strong actions of promoting flow of middle energizer qi, and can break qi and dissipate nodulation, relieve stuffiness and fullness. For all kinds of qi stagnation syndrome manifested as gastric and abdominal stuffiness and fullness, it can be used in combination. For gastric and abdominal distending pain due to food stagnation, it is usually combined with the digestant herbs. For instance it is combined with Shan Zha, Mai Ya and Lai Fu Zi in Zhi Shi San from Zheng Yin Mai Zhi. For gastric and abdominal stuffiness, fullness and distension after meal due defeciency of spleen-stomach, it should be combined with the qi-tonifying and spleen-invigorating herbs. For instance it is combined with Bai Zhu in Zhi Zhu Wan from Nei Wai Shang Bian Huo Lun. For constipation, gastric and abdominal stuffiness, fullness and distending pain due to heat retention, it is usually combined with the heat-clearing and purgative herbs. For instance it is combined with Da Huang and Mang Xiao in Da Cheng Qi Tang from Shang Han Lun. For abdominal stuffiness and fullness, difficulty in defecation, diarrhea c dysentery with tenesmus due to damp-heat retention, it is usually combined with the heat clearing and damp-removing herbs. For instance it is combined with Huang Lian and Da Huang in Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan from Nei Wai Shang Bia Huo Lun.
B. Chest impediment, cough with profuse sputum, stuffiness and distension in chest
It is good at resolving phlegm and removing stagnation, breaking stagnant qi and unblocking stuffiness. For chest impediment due to accumulation of phlegm-turbidity, deficiency of chest-yang and qi stagnation in chest, it is usually combined with the yang-warming, phlegm-turbidity-resolving and chest-soothing herbs. For instance it is combined with Xie Bai, Gui Zhi and Gua Lou in Zhi Shi Xie Bai Gui Zhi Tang from Jin Kui Yao Lue. For stuffiness, fullness and pain in chest and stomach due to syndrome of thoracic accumulation of phlegm-heat, it is usually combined with the heat-clearing and phlegm-resolving herbs. For instance it is combined with Huang Lian, Gua Lou, Ban Xia in Xiao Xian Xiong Tang from Wen Bing Tiao Bian. For chest pain and stuffiness, and cough with profuse sputum, it is usually combined with the damp-drying and phlegm-resolving herbs, and qi-moving and nodulation-dissipating herbs. For instance it is combined with Ban Xia, Tian Nan Xing and Chen Pi in Dao Tan Tang from Jiao Zhu Fu Ren Liang Fang.
In addition, for gastroptosis, gastrectasis, prolapse of rectum and uterus, it also can be used with the qi-tonifying and yang-raising herbs such as Huang Qi, Ren Shen, Sheng Ma and Chai Hu.
Dosage and Administrations
Decoct 3~10 g. The largest dosage is 30 g. Its actions become mild after stir-baked.
Cautions
It should be used with cautions for pregnant women.
Parts used: Dried rhizome
TCM category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
TCM nature: Warm
TCM taste(s): BitterSweet
Meridian affinity: Spleen Stomach
Scientific name: Atractylodes macrocephala
Use of atractylodes rhizomes (Bai Shu) in TCM
Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitionner, they will be best able to guide you.
Preparation: Remove impurities, soak in water, wash, slice and dry.
Dosage: 3 - 9 grams
Main actions according to TCM*: Tonifies the Spleen Qi. Fortifies the Spleen Yang and dispels Damp through urination. Tonifies Qi and stops sweating. Calms restless fetus when due to Deficiency of Spleen Qi.
Primary conditions or symptoms for which atractylodes rhizomes may be prescribed by TCM doctors*: Loss of appetite Abdominal colic Abdominal bloating Diarrhea Palpitations Edema Night sweats Miscarriage
Contraindications*: This herb should not be used by those with Yin Deficiency with Heat signs or with extreme thirst.
Common TCM formulas in which atractylodes rhizomes are used*:
For Dampness and edema combine atractylodes rhizomes with poria-cocos mushrooms (Fu Ling), polyporus (Zhu Ling), water plantain (Ze Xie) and cinnamon twigs (Gui Zhi).
For Cold Stomach and Spleen with abdominal pain, diarrhea and lack of appetite combine atractylodes rhizomes with cloves (Ding Xiang), amomum fruits (Sha Ren) and dried ginger (Gan Jiang).
For general Qi tonification combine atractylodes rhizomes with ginseng (Ren Shen), poria-cocos mushrooms (Fu Ling) and liquorice (Gan Cao).
For Cold type dysentery and diarrhea caused by Deficient Spleen Qi combine atractylodes rhizomes with nutmeg (Rou Dou Kou) and codonopsis roots (Dang Shen).
For Cold Spleen, Stomach and Kidneys with abdominal pains, lack of appetite and loose stools combine atractylodes rhizomes with cinnamon bark (Rou Gui), dried ginger (Gan Jiang), ginseng (Ren Shen) and prepared aconite (Zhi Fu Zi).
For symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting combine atractylodes rhizomes with sharp-leaf galangal fruits (Yi Zhi Ren), codonopsis roots (Dang Shen) and dried ginger (Gan Jiang).
For edema with weakness combine atractylodes rhizomes with stephania roots (Fang Ji) and milkvetch roots (Huang Qi).
For conditions such as anemia, weakness, tiredness, irregular menses caused by exhaustion or postpartum recovery combine atractylodes rhizomes with ginseng (Ren Shen), poria-cocos mushrooms (Fu Ling), liquorice (Gan Cao), dong quai (Dang Gui), szechuan lovage roots (Chuan Xiong), prepared rehmannia (Shu Di huang), white peony roots (Bai Shao), fresh ginger (Sheng Jiang) and jujube dates (Da Zao).
For the treatment of prolapsed Qi with symptoms of chronic fatigue and weakness as a result of physical exertion or stress combine atractylodes rhizomes with bupleurum roots (Chai Hu), codonopsis roots (Dang Shen), milkvetch roots (Huang Qi), ginseng (Ren Shen), liquorice (Gan Cao), dong quai (Dang Gui), bugbane rhizomes (Sheng Ma) and tangerine peel (Chen Pi).
For Spleen Qi deficiency combine atractylodes rhizomes with king solomon's seal roots (Huang Jing) and codonopsis roots (Dang Shen).
For Damp-Cold in the Spleen combine atractylodes rhizomes with tsaoko fruits (Cao Guo) and houpu magnolia bark (Hou Pu).
For Diarrhea due to Damp-Cold combine atractylodes rhizomes with sichuan pepper (Hua Jiao), tangerine peel (Chen Pi) and costus roots (Mu Xiang).
For Spleen deficiency with lack of appetite and fatigue combine atractylodes rhizomes with malt (Mai Ya) and codonopsis roots (Dang Shen).
For Spleen deficiency with chronic diarrhea combine atractylodes rhizomes with cherokee rose fruits (Jin Ying Zi), codonopsis roots (Dang Shen) and yam (Shan Yao).
For chronic diarrhea due to Spleen Yang deficiency combine atractylodes rhizomes with pomegranate peel (Shi Liu Pi), codonopsis roots (Dang Shen) and poria-cocos mushrooms (Fu Ling).
Key TCM concepts behind atractylodes rhizomes (Bai Shu)'s properties
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), atractylodes rhizomes are plants that belong to the 'Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency' category. Tonic herbs are used for patterns of Deficiency, when one lacks one of the 'Four Treasures' (Qi, Blood, Yin and Yang). Qi tonics are typically sweet and they tend to enter the Spleen and Lungs because these organs are most involved with the production of Qi.
Furthermore atractylodes rhizomes are plants that are Warm in nature. This means that atractylodes rhizomes tend to help people who have too much "cold" in their body, although with less effect than a plant that would be Hot in nature. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Those who have too much cold in their body are said to either have a Yin excess (because Yin is Cold in nature) or a Yang deficiency (Yang is Hot in Nature).
Depending on your condition atractylodes rhizomes can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.
Atractylodes rhizomes also taste Bitter and Sweet. The so-called "five elements" theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Bitter ingredients like atractylodes rhizomes tend to have a cleansing action on the body by clearing heat, drying dampness and promoting elimination via urination or bowel movements. On the other hand Sweet ingredients tend to slow down acute reactions and detoxify the body. They also have a tonic effect because they replenish Qi and Blood.
The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what organs and meridians they target. As such atractylodes rhizomes are thought to target the Spleen and the Stomach. In TCM the Spleen assists with digestion, blood coagulation and fluid metabolism in the body. The Stomach on the other hand is responsible for receiving and ripening ingested food and fluids. It is also tasked with descending the digested elements downwards to the Small Intestine.
