| Herb Name | Cang Zhu (Atractylodes) |
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| Family | Asteraceae |
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| Category | Transform Dampness |
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Source of Variety
This herb is derived from the rhizome of the perennial herb Cang Zhu (Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC.) or Bei Cang Zhu (A. chinensis (DC.) Koidz). The former is mainly produced in Jiangsu, Hubei, and Henan provinces, with the highest quality coming from the Maoshan area in Jiangsu, hence the name Ma Cang Zhu. The latter is primarily produced in Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, and Liaoning. It is harvested in spring and autumn, with the soil and residual stems removed and then dried. The rhizome is sliced after being soaked in water or rice wash and then lightly fried until slightly yellow.
Cang Zhu is referred to simply as “Zhu” in the Shennong Bencao Jing, without distinction between Cang and Bai (White). Tao Hongjing noted that there are two types: Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes) and Chi Zhu (Red Atractylodes), with Chi Zhu being Cang Zhu. The name Cang Zhu first appeared in the Zhenglei Bencao.
Properties and Channels
Pungent, bitter, and warm. It enters the Spleen and Stomach meridians.
Functions
Dries dampness, strengthens the Spleen, and dispels wind-dampness.
Indications
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Used for damp stagnation in the middle Jiao. This herb is effective in drying Spleen dampness, particularly when dampness is predominant in the middle Jiao, leading to symptoms such as abdominal distension, nausea, reduced appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and a white greasy tongue coating. It is often combined with Hou Po (Magnolia Bark) and Chen Pi (Aged Tangerine Peel) in formulas like Ping Wei San (Calm the Stomach Powder). In cases of damp-heat or damp-warmth, it should be used with heat-clearing herbs to transform dampness and clear heat; it can also be used for phlegm-damp or water retention.
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Used for wind-damp bi syndrome. Due to its pungent and drying properties, it is particularly suitable for bi syndrome with dampness predominating, often combined with Du Huo (Angelica Pubescens) and Qin Jiao (Gentiana Macrophylla). In cases of damp-heat bi pain, it can be combined with Shi Gao (Gypsum) and Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena) in formulas like Bai Hu Jia Cang Zhu Tang (White Tiger Decoction with Cang Zhu), and is often used with Huang Bai (Phellodendron) in Er Miao San (Two Marvel Powder), which can also be used for damp-heat dysentery, lower body dampness, and skin conditions like eczema.
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Used for exterior wind-cold with dampness. If wind-cold and dampness invade the exterior, causing chills, fever, body aches, and absence of sweating, this herb can induce sweating and release the exterior, often combined with Bai Zhi (Angelica Dahurica) and Xi Xin (Asarum) in formulas like Shen Shu San (Divine Technique Powder).
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Additionally, this herb can brighten the eyes and is used for night blindness and blurred vision. It can be used alone or cooked with lamb liver or pig liver for consumption.
Literature References
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Shennong Bencao Jing: “It is indicated for wind-cold-damp bi, dead flesh, spasms, and jaundice. Long-term use can lighten the body and prolong life without hunger.”
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Bencao Gangmu: “It treats damp phlegm retention… and Spleen dampness leading to turbid discharge and diarrhea.”
Dosage
Decoction: 5-10g.
Modern Pharmacology
This herb contains volatile oils, with the main components being a mixture of Cang Zhu alcohol and Ma Zhu alcohol. It also contains small amounts of Cang Zhu ketone, vitamin A-like substances, vitamin B, and inulin. The volatile oil exhibits a sedative effect at low doses, while at high doses, it shows an inhibitory effect.
(Supplement Spleen, Dry Dampness, Raise Yang, Disperse Stagnation)
Pungent, warm, and aromatic. Dries the Stomach and strengthens the Spleen, induces sweating and dispels dampness, and can raise the Yang Qi of the Stomach (1), stops vomiting and diarrhea, expels phlegm and water (2), reduces swelling and dispels foul qi (3), disperses wind-cold-dampness, and is a key herb for treating atrophy (4). It also resolves phlegm, fire, qi, blood, dampness, and food stagnation (5), and addresses Spleen dampness leading to turbid discharge and intestinal wind (6).
It is contraindicated for those with excessive sweating due to dryness (7).
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Dong Yuan states that it strongly ascends to eliminate dampness and stabilizes the Taiyin, preventing evil qi from entering the Spleen.
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Xu Shuwei claims that Cang Zhu can treat water retention, as it dries the Spleen to eliminate dampness; it fills the Spleen with earth. Daily use of one jin of Cang Zhu, fifty jujubes, peeled and mashed, half a liang of sesame oil, and two cups of water, ground and filtered to make pills, is called Shen Shu Wan (Divine Technique Pills). Dan Xi states it is the essence of treating phlegm.
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It dispels all miasma and evil spirits, especially during the hot and humid months. Yijian Zhi recounts a scholar who, while traveling in Xihu, encountered a beautiful woman and sought her with heavy gifts but to no avail. Five years later, he returned to the same place, feeling empty and forlorn, and unexpectedly met the woman again. The scholar was delighted and they planned to travel together, but the woman said: “Since you left, I have missed you greatly and fell ill and died; I am no longer human. However, you are deeply affected by Yin qi and should take Ping Wei San to replenish and stabilize your essence and blood.” The scholar was astonished and lamented: “The herbs are all mild; how can they be effective?” The woman replied: “Among them is Cang Zhu, which dispels evil qi, making it a superior herb.”
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Yangming deficiency leads to relaxation of the tendons and the belt vessel not being drawn, resulting in atrophy. Cang Zhu is a Yangming herb. The classics state it treats atrophy, specifically targeting Yangming. Combined with Huang Bai, it forms Er Miao San (Two Marvel Powder), and adding Niu Xi (Achyranthes) creates San Miao San (Three Marvel Powder).
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Dan Xi states that all stagnation arises from abnormal transmission and transformation, causing qi to be unable to rise and fall, with the disease located in the middle Jiao. To raise it, one must first lower it; to lower it, one must first raise it. Yue Qu Wan (Yue Qu Pill) uses Cang Zhu and Xiang Fu (Cyperus), where Cang Zhu directly enters the meridians, dispersing Yangming dampness and promoting circulation. Xiang Fu is a qi-regulating herb, thus one raises and lowers, leading to the resolution of stagnation.
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Dampness leading to turbid discharge can be red, indicating dampness injuring the blood aspect, coming from the heart and small intestine; or white, indicating dampness injuring the qi aspect, coming from the lung and large intestine, with both cold and heat presentations. There are also cases of phlegm causing turbid discharge, which should be treated with Er Chen Tang (Two Aged Decoction) plus Er Zhu (Two Atractylodes), Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), and Chai Hu (Bupleurum).
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A scholar from Nanyang, during a time of chaos, fled to Hu Mountain, suffering from hunger. Someone taught him to consume Cang Zhu, which alleviated his hunger. Decades later, he returned home, looking younger and stronger. Cang Zhu is also known as mountain essence or mountain ginger. Dao Xian Lu states that if one desires longevity, they should consume mountain essence; if one wishes to fly lightly, they should consume mountain ginger. Ang notes that Cang Zhu is good for inducing sweating; how can it be taken for a long time? The scholar’s account in the immortal record may be an exaggeration.
Summary of Materia Medica
Shennong Bencao Jing: Bitter, warm. It is indicated for wind-cold-damp bi, dead flesh, spasms, jaundice, stops sweating, eliminates heat, and aids digestion.
Bencao Tujing: Consumed often alone or combined with Bai Fu Ling (White Poria) or Shi Chang Pu (Acorus), ground into powder, taken with water in the morning and again in the evening, yielding better results over time.
Yao Lei Fa Xiang: Indications are the same as Bai Zhu. If it eliminates upper dampness and induces sweating, its effect is greatest; if it supplements the middle Jiao and eliminates dampness, its power is less than Bai Zhu.
Yao Xing Fu: The properties and indications are similar to Bai Zhu. It is more effective in eliminating upper dampness and inducing sweating; its power in supplementing the middle Jiao and eliminating dampness is less than Bai Zhu.
Tang Ye Bencao: The qi is warm, and the taste is sweet.
It enters the Foot Yangming and Taiyin meridians.
Yao Xiang: The indications are the same as Bai Zhu. If it eliminates upper dampness, its effect is greatest; if it supplements the middle Jiao and eliminates dampness, its power is less, similar to Bai Zhu.
Dong Yuan states it enters the Foot Yangming and Taiyin, strengthening the Stomach and stabilizing the Spleen.
The Bencao only mentions Zhu without distinguishing between Cang and Bai. Cang Zhu has a unique strong energy due to its soaking in rice wash and frying, thus it can induce sweating, while Bai Zhu uniquely stops sweating; they cannot be used interchangeably.
Hai Zang states that Cang and Bai have different effects on sweating, while their other indications are similar as seen in the Tujing.
Bencao Yanyi Buzhi: The Bencao does not distinguish between Cang and Bai, leading to much debate. The Four Families Bencao misinterprets this. In the ancient formula Ping Wei San, Cang Zhu is the most important herb. The Yanyi states that its pungent and strong flavor induces sweating quickly. Bai Zhu, while also slightly pungent, is milder and excels in eliminating dampness. It stops sweating when sweating occurs and induces sweating when there is none, similar to Huang Qi (Astragalus), with a similar flavor that can resolve deficiency phlegm.
Bencao Huifai: Jie Gu states that Cang Zhu is warm in nature and sweet in taste. Its indications are similar to Bai Zhu. If it eliminates upper dampness and induces sweating, its effect is greatest; if it supplements the middle Jiao and eliminates dampness, its power is less, thus Bai Zhu should be added. For those with abdominal constriction, it is necessary to use it. For treating leg and foot dampness and swelling, Bai Zhu should be added. Cang Zhu is light and buoyant, with strong energy, capable of removing dampness from the skin and interstitial spaces.
Notes
It is contraindicated for those with Yin deficiency and internal heat, as well as those with bleeding disorders. Caution is advised for those with Qi deficiency and excessive sweating.
Bencao Jing Jizhu: Fang Feng (Siler) and Di Yu (Sanguisorba) are used as assistants.
Yao Xing Lun: Avoid peaches, plums, sparrow meat, mustard greens, and blue fish.
Yixue Rumen: Those with blood deficiency and weakness, as well as emotional distress and qi stagnation, should use with caution. Misuse can deplete qi and blood, dry up body fluids, and exacerbate internal heat.
Bencao Jing Shu: For conditions of Yin deficiency, low blood, insufficient essence, internal heat, dry mouth, dry lips, cough with phlegm, vomiting blood, nosebleeds, throat obstruction, and constipation, it should be avoided. Those with liver and kidney qi movement should not take it.
Bencao Zheng: It is contraindicated for those with internal heat and Yin deficiency, as well as those with exterior sweating.