Cang Zhu
StarAtractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC.
☯ TCM Properties
Dries Dampness and strengthens the Spleen; Dispels Wind-Dampness; Releases the Exterior and Disperses Wind-Cold; Brightens the Eyes; Dispels Turbidity and Filth
Traditional Chinese Uses
Cang Zhu (black atractylodes rhizome) is a warm, pungent-bitter herb with an intense Damp-drying and Spleen-strengthening action. It is the primary herb for treating Dampness obstructing the Middle Burner — conditions presenting with bloating, fatigue, heavy limbs, poor appetite, loose stools, and a thick, greasy tongue coating. It also expels Wind-Cold-Damp from the channels for joint pain and bodily heaviness from external dampness invasion. Burned as a fumigant, it was historically used to purify spaces during epidemic illness.
Western Herbalism Properties
Used In Formulas (1)
Botanical Description
Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. (Asteraceae) is a perennial herb 30-100 cm tall native to East Asia, with erect simple or sparingly branched stems, sessile leathery lanceolate to elliptic leaves with spiny-toothed margins (the lower often three-lobed), and terminal solitary thistle-like capitula of tubular white to purplish florets surrounded by pinnatifid spiny bracts. The knotty cylindrical to irregular rhizome, 3-10 cm long, exudes aromatic oil and shows red-brown oil glands ('zhusha dian', cinnabar spots) on the cut surface that turn into white needle-like crystals on standing. Rhizomes are dug in autumn or spring, sun-dried, and traditionally bran-fried. In TCM, Cang Zhu is acrid and bitter in flavor and warm in nature, entering the Spleen, Stomach, and Liver channels; it strongly dries dampness, strengthens the Spleen, and dispels wind-cold-damp.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 9-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
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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