tonifying
White Atractylodes Rhizome
白术 · Báizhú
Atractylodes macrocephala
Nature
Warm
Saveur
Bitter, sweet
Meridian
Spleen, Stomach
Bai Zhu is the chief spleen-strengthening and dampness-resolving herb of Chinese medicine. The 'Yuqian shu' of Zhejiang — large, plump, and cloud-patterned — is the finest grade. It dries dampness while tonifying qi, the twin actions that make it central to nearly every classical spleen formula.
🌿 Fonctions
- •Tonifies spleen qi
- •Dries dampness and promotes water metabolism
- •Stabilizes the exterior and stops sweating
- •Calms the fetus (traditional)
📖 Usage
6–12 g in decoction; stir-fried (chao bai zhu) strengthens its drying action for diarrhea.
🔬 Recherche moderne
Atractylodes polysaccharide A is studied for gastrointestinal motility, immune modulation, and anti-inflammatory effects.
⚠️ Contre-indications
Avoid in yin deficiency with dryness and heat patterns.
