Cang Zhu (Atractylodes) is derived from the dried rhizome of the plant, primarily consumed as a decoction. It serves to invigorate the spleen and stomach, dry dampness, and eliminate turbid phlegm. It can be effective for symptoms caused by spleen deficiency and damp obstruction in the middle jiao, such as abdominal distension, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, reduced appetite, and a white, greasy tongue coating.
1. Expel Wind and Disperse Cold.
Cang Zhu can be combined with Qiang Huo (Notopterygium) and Du Huo (Angelica pubescens) to eliminate internal dampness.
2. Strengthen the Spleen and Nourish the Stomach Cang Zhu is effective for symptoms caused by spleen deficiency and damp obstruction in the middle jiao, such as abdominal distension, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, reduced appetite, and a white, greasy tongue coating.
3. Relieve Eye Dryness
Cang Zhu can alleviate and treat symptoms such as blurred vision caused by night blindness.
4. Relieve Edema
Cang Zhu has the effect of drying dampness and promoting urination. As stated in the “Pearl Bag”: “It can strengthen the stomach and calm the spleen; no other can eliminate all dampness and swelling like this,” indicating its significant role in reducing edema.
5. Antibacterial and Antimicrobial
Cang Zhu is notably effective for gynecological diseases caused by excessive dampness, such as chronic pelvic inflammatory disease.
Dietary Health
1. Cang Zhu and Pig Liver Congee
Ingredients: 100g pig liver, 9g Cang Zhu, 150g millet.
Method: Dry and grind Cang Zhu into powder, slice the pig liver into two connected pieces, fill with the powder, tie with hemp string, and cook with millet and appropriate water in a clay pot until done.
It nourishes the liver and brightens the eyes; consume once daily for one week. Suitable for those with blurred vision.
2. Yam, Poria, Cang Zhu and Lamb Stew
Ingredients: 100g lamb bones, 50g job’s tears, 25g Poria (Poria cocos), 10g Cang Zhu, 500g white radish.
Seasonings: 5g green onion, 5g ginger, 5g Sichuan pepper, 1g white pepper, 2g salt, 5g cooking wine.
Method:
(1) Cut lamb and white radish into pieces.
(2) Slice ginger and chop green onion for later use.
(3) Blanch the lamb and bones to remove blood, rinse with clean water, and place in a clay pot.
(4) Add ginger slices, Cang Zhu, Sichuan pepper, Poria slices, job’s tears, and white radish, and bring to a boil over high heat.
(5) Add salt, white pepper, and cooking wine, then simmer on low heat for about an hour.
(6) Add chicken essence and sprinkle with chopped green onion before serving.
3. Cang Zhu and Job’s Tears Congee
Ingredients: 15g Cang Zhu, 50g raw job’s tears, 50g japonica rice.
Method: Wash Cang Zhu, wrap it in gauze, and cook it with raw job’s tears and japonica rice in a pot with appropriate water until the congee is ready.
Precautions
(1) Cang Zhu should not be consumed with peaches, plums, cabbage, or bluefish.
(2) Those with deficiency heat should use Cang Zhu with caution.
