Atractylodes macrocephala is a herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae, native to eastern China and cultivated extensively in Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi and Hunan provinces. Plants grow 30-80 cm tall from a thick, knotty, aromatic rhizome that branches irregularly and is yellowish-brown outside with cream-coloured flesh. The erect, often reddish stems bear alternate, deeply pinnately divided to lobed leaves with sharply serrate, spiny-toothed margins and conspicuous reticulate venation. From late summer into autumn the plant produces solitary, terminal capitula 2-3 cm across, with purplish to white tubular florets enclosed in overlapping, pectinate, bristly involucral bracts. The fruit is a small achene topped with a feathery pappus. It favours well-drained, sunny mountain slopes and forest margins between 600 and 2,500 m elevation and is propagated commercially from seedlings, the rhizomes being lifted in autumn of the second year.

Dosage

Form	Amount	Frequency	Duration	Population	Notes
decoction	9-30g	Daily	—	—	—

Cultural & Historical Context

Traditional Chinese Uses

Bai Zhu (white atractylodes rhizome) is a warm, sweet-bitter herb and one of the most important Spleen-tonifying herbs in Chinese medicine. It strengthens Spleen Qi and dries Dampness to relieve chronic diarrhea, bloating, poor appetite, and fatigue from Spleen Qi deficiency with Dampness. It is also used to calm the fetus in threatened miscarriage from Spleen deficiency, and it consolidates Wei Qi to reduce spontaneous sweating. Together with codonopsis root, it forms the core of Spleen-Qi tonifying formulas.

Traditional American Uses

None Documented

Important Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.

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