Cang Zhu (Atractylodes macrocephala) is a herb used to transform dampness, derived from its rhizome. It is harvested in spring and autumn, cleaned of soil, dried, and the fibrous roots are removed. Its taste is pungent and bitter, and it is warm in nature. It enters the Spleen (Pi), Stomach (Wei), and Liver (Gan) meridians. It can dry dampness, strengthen the Spleen, dispel wind, scatter cold, and improve vision.
There is a legend about Cang Zhu: During the Song Dynasty, there was a great physician named Xu Shuwei, also known as Scholar Xu. It is said that in his youth, Shuwei was exceptionally diligent, studying until late at night before going to bed. He had a habit of drinking alcohol before sleep, perhaps influenced by the saying, “A sip of wine before bed can prolong life to ninety-nine years!” After several years, he often felt a gurgling sensation in his stomach, experienced pain in his side, had a reduced appetite, and would vomit bitter and sour gastric fluid every ten days or so. In summer, his left side would not sweat, while only his right side would. What kind of strange illness was this? Xu Shuwei fell into deep thought and sought treatment everywhere. However, despite consulting many famous doctors, he found no relief. Thus, Scholar Xu abandoned the belief that “a physician cannot treat himself” and began to save himself. He carefully analyzed his condition and believed that his illness was primarily caused by “dampness obstructing the stomach”. Therefore, following his academic principle of “using precise medication”, he selected Cang Zhu as the main herb, using 1 jin (500g) of Cang Zhu powder, 15 jujubes (Da Zao), and half a liang (15g) of raw sesame oil to make small pills, taking 50 pills daily. He gradually increased the dosage, eventually taking 100 to 200 pills daily. After several months of treatment, his strange illness gradually improved until he was completely cured. Why did Cang Zhu have such efficacy and a remarkable therapeutic effect on Xu Shuwei’s strange illness? It turned out that Xu Shuwei had a fondness for drinking, which harmed his Spleen and Stomach. A deficiency in the Spleen leads to an inability to transform dampness, and since the Spleen and Stomach are interrelated, this resulted in “dampness obstructing the stomach”, leading to symptoms such as “gurgling in the stomach”, “no sweating on the left side in summer while sweating on the right side”, and “vomiting gastric fluid”. The Spleen belongs to the Earth element, which prefers warmth and is fond of aromatic substances. Aromatic herbs have strong transformative properties, enhance appetite, and promote digestion. Cang Zhu has an aromatic scent, is pungent and warm, and bitter in taste, entering the Spleen and Stomach meridians. The medicinal properties align, and the flavors complement each other. Cang Zhu, being aromatic, is adept at awakening the Spleen and transforming dampness; dampness is a Yin energy that can be transformed with warmth.
Xu Shuwei accurately diagnosed his condition and selected the appropriate herb, achieving remarkable results with just one herb. Additionally, he consistently took the medication over a long period and gradually increased the dosage, which was a wise approach. He understood that dampness is sticky and stagnant, making it difficult to eliminate quickly. Only by adhering to long-term medication and gradually increasing the dosage could he enhance the medicinal potency within his body, ultimately overcoming the dampness. Cang Zhu is so miraculous, and here are two dietary recipes featuring Cang Zhu:1. Cang Zhu and Winter Melon Damp-Dispelling Soup
【Ingredients】: 15g Cang Zhu, 15g Ze Xie (Alisma), 250g winter melon, 500g lean pork, slices of ginger, salt, and chicken essence to taste.【Cooking Method】: 1. Clean Cang Zhu and Ze Xie. Wash and cut the winter melon into pieces. Clean and cut the lean pork into pieces. 2. Boil water in a pot, add the pork to blanch and remove blood. 3. Add Cang Zhu, Ze Xie, winter melon, pork, and ginger slices into a pot, add appropriate amount of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer for 1 hour, and season to taste.
【Efficacy】: Strengthens the Spleen, dries dampness, dispels cold, and releases the exterior. Cang Zhu can lower blood sugar and blood lipids for weight loss. Ze Xie promotes urination and drains dampness, showing significant efficacy in treating hyperlipidemia, diabetes, fatty liver, and during stroke recovery. Winter melon has long been known as a weight-loss wonder. This soup can aid in weight loss and promote health.
2. Shan Zhu Congee
【Ingredients】: 6g Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), 6g Cang Zhu, 15g japonica rice.
【Cooking Method】: First, decoct Cang Zhu to extract the juice, mash the Shan Yao and soak it, then cook it with the japonica rice to make a porridge, mix in the medicinal juice, and eat the porridge. Take 1 bowl daily for a course of 7 weeks.【Efficacy】: Strengthens the Spleen and harmonizes the Stomach, promotes calcium absorption. It can be used as an adjunct treatment for rickets in children.
References: Luo Xinghong, Zhao Xia. Legends of Chinese Medicine, People’s Health Publishing House. Text by: Wu Taotao Edited by: Li RutingImages sourced from the internet. If there are any improper uses, please contact us.Medication should be taken under the guidance of a professional doctor; do not self-medicate.
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