Cang Zhu
cang_zhu.jpg

 

Cang Zhu in TCM:

Explore the properties of Cang Zhu according to Chinese
Nutrition and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM):


Factoids:
English Name: atractylodes chinensis; a. lancea, black atractylodes
Pharmacuetical Name: Rhizoma Atractylodes
Properties: acrid, bitter, warm aromatic


Temperature: warm

Channels: ST, SP

Flavors: aromatic, bitter, pungent

Special Properties:
disperses cold, clears heat, clears damp, disperses wind, alleviates bi syndrome


Actions / Indications:
  • Dries Dampness; Revives Spleen (abdominal and epigastric distension, fullness nausea, vomit, poor appetite, thick, sticky tongue coat)
  • Expels wind-damp (for painful obstruction: bi syndrome due to wind-damp-cold)
  • Clears dampness in the lower jiao (damp-heat pouring downward; leg qi, leucorrhea, dysenteric disorder)
  • Induces sweating; releases exterior (wind-damp-cold headache, body aches, no sweating; also for damp-warm febrile diseases due to damp turbidity)
  • Improves vision (night blindness or diminished vision with rough sensation in eyes)

    Special Notes:
  • Cang Zhu is known for having 4 functions for damp)
  • Cang Zhu has a diuretic effect, and should be used with caution for diabetic patients.

Contraindications:
  • (cc: pregnancy)
  • (cc: yin deficiency)