Medicinals

cāng zhú / 苍朮 / 蒼朮 / atractylodes [rhizome]

Latin pharmacognostic name: Atractylodis Rhizoma

Alternate English names:

Alternate Chinese names: 赤朮 chì zhú; 青朮 qīng zhú; 仙朮 xiān zhú; 青朮 qīng zhú; 仙朮 xiān zhú; 马蓟 mǎ jì

Origin: Plant

Use: medicinal

Category: Aromatic dampness-transforming agents

Properties: Acrid, bitter; warm.

Channel entry: spleen and stomach channels.

Indications:

Dosage & Method:

Oral: 5–10g in decoctions. Cāng zhú can be soaked in rice water before decoction to moderate its dry, acrid flavor.

Warning:

Contraindicated in exterior vacuity with copious sweating, and in yīn vacuity with internal heat.

Product Description:

This is a knobby rhizome about 4–10 cm long and 1–2 cm thick. The exterior surface is dark brown, dry, and brittle. At the top are the remains of the stem base and scars where shoots have been removed. At the lower end are the remains of the short hard fine roots. This rhizome is hard and solid and breaks unevenly to reveal a pale interior and supple fibers. It is cut into thin oblique or longitudinal 1–3 mm thick slices, which are irregular in shape. The cut edge has orange-brown spots, which are less apparent when the general coloration is darkened by stir-frying.

Quality:

Large, firm rhizomes with dark skin, numerous oil sacs, and a sweet aroma are best. Growing of fine white hairs in storage is also a sign of good quality.

Product Area:

Jiāngsū, Héběi, Jílín.

Etymology:

NAME REFLECTS DARKER COLOR THAN BAIZHU

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