IIntroduction: “The motivation for writing this article is to break through the previous limitations and applications of Cang Zhu in general understanding, in order to fully realize its therapeutic effects.” This article by Zhu Renkang is quite enlightening—not only in the specific medicinal experiences with Cang Zhu but also in the spirit of respecting facts in clinical practice, breaking through the limitations of a certain Chinese herb as stated by ancient texts. The essence of ancient wisdom, integrated with new knowledge, cannot be achieved without—reading, clinical practice, and communication; otherwise, how can we talk about progress?。（Editor/Qing Li）
On the Efficacy of Cang Zhu
Author/Zhu Renkang
I pose this question, which may seem abrupt, because in the past, people generally only recognized the use of “Bai Zhu (Atractylodes macrocephala)” while neglecting “Cang Zhu.” My motivation for writing this article is solely to break through the previous limitations and therapeutic applications of Cang Zhu in general understanding, in order to fully realize its therapeutic effects. I, too, have previously regarded Cang Zhu merely as a herb for drying dampness and strengthening the stomach, without giving it much attention. However, I unexpectedly discovered its significant efficacy in treating surgical tuberculosis, which prompted me to pay more attention to it. Subsequently, through shared experiences and literature review, I found that it has excellent efficacy for recurrent erysipelas, night blindness, and dysentery, which is worth organizing and publishing for further research to fully utilize the multifaceted therapeutic effects of “Cang Zhu.”1. In Ancient Times, Cang Zhu and Bai Zhu Were Not Differentiated From the following literature, it is known that in ancient times, they were collectively referred to as “Zhu,” without distinction between Cang and Bai; not only were the effects of Cang Zhu and Bai Zhu indistinguishable, but it was even said that Cang Zhu was superior to Bai Zhu. Kou Zongshi stated: “Cang Zhu is long like a thumb, plump, with a brown skin, and has a pungent taste. Bai Zhu is thin, slightly brown, with a bitter taste but not pungent.” Ancient formulas and texts only mentioned “Zhu” without differentiating between Cang and Bai; it was only because Tao Hongjing mentioned that there are two types of Zhu, with many preferring Bai, while in reality, in ancient formulas like Ping Wei San, Cang Zhu is the most important herb, with particularly rapid effects, but unfortunately, it is often neglected.” Zhang Yinan in “Ben Cao Chong Yuan” discussed Cang Zhu, stating: “The ancient texts did not differentiate between Cang and Bai, while Zhang Zhongjing used Bai Zhu in the formulas of “Shang Han Lun,” and used Chi Zhu in the formulas of “Jin Kui.” It was only in Tao Hongjing’s “Bie Lu” that they were differentiated into two, and it should be noted that the distinction between Chi and Bai began with Zhang Zhongjing, not with Tao Hongjing.” Chi Zhu refers to Cang Zhu, and its functions are slightly similar to Bai Zhu; therefore, it still follows the main treatment of Zhu in the “Ben Jing,” but Bai Zhu is sweet, while Cang Zhu is both bitter and pungent. In modern times, Zhang Shanlei stated: “The “Ben Jing” and “Bie Lu” do not differentiate between Cang Zhu and Bai Zhu, and the main treatment of Zhu for wind, cold, and dampness is largely attributed to Cang Zhu’s efficacy. Tao Hongjing and others clearly stated that Zhu from Maoshan is superior, which is what the ancients used, namely Cang Zhu.”2. Active Ingredients of Cang Zhu Cang Zhu belongs to the Asteraceae family and is a perennial herb; the medicinal part is the root, which resembles old ginger, with fine roots, dark black on the outside, and yellowish-white flesh, containing oil. Foreign studies: The roots and rhizomes of Cang Zhu and Bai Zhu vary in size, often diverging into bulbous shapes, with many remnants of stems at the top, and auxiliary roots or scars that are unevenly protruding. The exterior is dark yellow-brown with wrinkles, and the broken surface is uneven, with large orange-yellow spots, and the texture is very brittle. Upon microscopic examination, the exterior has a brownish layer, and the bark is very thick, about equal to half the radius of the wood part. Outside this bark, there are a few large circular oil cavities containing yellow oil spots. Zhu has a unique aromatic odor, and when finely cut, Cang Zhu often develops a fine white powdery substance on its surface. Traditional Chinese medicine often uses the quantity of this substance to judge its quality. Upon detailed examination, this substance consists of many fine and soft crystals, possessing a unique fragrance. If Cang Zhu is crushed and placed in a bottle, cooled, and subjected to steam distillation, the resulting vapor has the same faint brownish-yellow volatile oil odor, which after a few days transforms into soft white needle-like crystals… The quantity of this substance is significantly related to its quality, with the best quality containing about 5% to 7%. According to Zhu Yan’s “Application of Chinese Herbal Pharmacology,” the main components of Cang Zhu are Cang Zhu alcohol and Cang Zhu ketone, the former being white needle-like crystals, and the latter being white rectangular plate-like crystals. Furthermore, according to analyses by Ma Bide and Yibao, Cang Zhu contains a large amount of vitamin A and D, exceeding the content in fish liver by 10 to 20 times, while Bai Zhu lacks these vitamins. It is also noted that Cang Zhu can lower elevated blood sugar levels, suggesting its potential use in diabetes, as well as for symptoms of fatigue and weakness, and it also has a stomach-strengthening effect. Additionally, due to its high content of vitamins A and D, it is also suitable for night blindness, skin keratosis, chondropathy, and may be used for tuberculosis.3. Cang Zhu as a Tonic Since Ancient Times The naming of Zhu: “Zhu is the essence of the mountain, consuming it leads to longevity.” The “Ben Jing” states, “Long-term consumption lightens the body and prolongs life,” hence the names “Mountain Essence” and “Immortal Zhu.” In ancient times, there were methods of consuming Zhu. “Method of consuming Zhu”: It turns black hair, retains color, strengthens muscles and bones, brightens the eyes, dispels wind, and moistens the skin, and long-term consumption makes one light and healthy. Cang Zhu is not limited in quantity; it is soaked in water for three days, changing the water daily, then taken out, the black skin scraped off, sliced, dried in the sun, and lightly fried until yellow, finely ground into powder. For every pound, half a pound of steamed Bai Fu Ling is used, mixed with honey to form pills the size of a walnut, taken with hot water on an empty stomach. From a modern perspective, it is evident that Cang Zhu contains a large amount of vitamins and can enhance physical strength, thus should be regarded as a tonic.4. Efficacy of Cang Zhu in Treating Surgical Tuberculosis I encountered a patient with an anal abscess who had mild pulmonary tuberculosis and developed a hard lump near the anus, dark purple in color, suspected to be anal tuberculosis. Due to a new infection, it suddenly became severely swollen and painful, with high fever and signs of suppuration. I believed it could not subside, and at that time, I prescribed a formula hoping to alleviate the symptoms, which included Wan Ling Dan (Universal Pill). (The formula is as follows) Wan Ling Dan formula: “Cang Zhu 8 liang, Quan Xie (Scorpion), Shi Hu (Dendrobium), Ming Tian Ma (Gastrodia), Dang Gui (Angelica), Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Licorice), Chuan Xiong (Chuanxiong), Qiang Huo (Notopterygium), Jing Jie (Schizonepeta), Fang Feng (Siler), Ma Huang (Ephedra), Bei Xi Xin (Asarum), Chuan Wu (Aconitum, processed), Cao Wu (Aconitum, processed), He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum), each 1 liang, with 6 qian of Ming Xiong Huang (Realgar), ground into fine powder, mixed with honey to form pills the size of a marble, each pill weighing 1.5 qian.” After two days, the patient returned, stating that after taking two doses, the swelling and pain had significantly reduced, and indeed, it had subsided considerably, which was quite surprising. Later, continuing to take Wan Ling Dan, the hard lump gradually shrank, and after a month, it completely disappeared. I initially had some doubts about the cure of this case, not daring to be certain about this efficacy, but it has increased my willingness to try using Wan Ling Dan to treat surgical tuberculosis. Later, I encountered three more cases, one was groin abscess (inguinal lymph node tuberculosis) and two were buttock abscesses (gluteal tuberculosis) with hard lumps that were painless and had persisted for several months without subsiding; I treated them all successfully with Wan Ling Dan alone. I began to think that the main ingredient in Wan Ling Dan is Cang Zhu, and although I cannot confirm its efficacy is entirely due to Cang Zhu, at least I can say that its effectiveness is inseparable from Cang Zhu. Further investigation into the use of Cang Zhu for treating surgical tuberculosis reveals that there are very few records in ancient literature, aside from Zhu Yan’s “Application of Chinese Herbal Pharmacology,” which mentions it, and only modern Zhang Shanlei has the most detailed understanding of Cang Zhu. He wrote: “Damp heat stagnation leads to sores and ulcers, or cold dampness causes abscesses and pain, but if there is a muddy tongue and no thirst, Cang Zhu is the most essential herb.” The latter refers to surgical tuberculosis, which is very insightful.5. Efficacy of Cang Zhu in Treating Erysipelas Erysipelas occurring in the lower limbs, known in TCM as “Liu Huo,” often becomes habitual after one episode, frequently recurring, hence also called recurrent erysipelas. In severe cases, it recurs every half month to a month, and in mild cases, several times a year, and penicillin is often ineffective. During an exchange of experiences, a colleague suggested that taking Cang Zhu ointment could prevent its recurrence. The preparation of Cang Zhu ointment: Use 10 jin of Cang Zhu, slice it and put it in a sand pot, add clear water and boil until half, then pour out the juice; add more clear water and boil until half again, until Cang Zhu has no flavor, discard the dregs, then combine the juices in one pot and boil down to a thick paste of one jin, adding four liang of honey and mixing well, taking one spoonful on an empty stomach with warm water. In the past, we only knew that Cang Zhu treated wind, cold, dampness, leg swelling, and skin edema, but did not mention its ability to treat erysipelas. Many texts state that Li Dongyuan regarded Cang Zhu as a key herb for treating atrophy, while Li Shicai in “Ben Cao Tu Jie” stated that Cang Zhu is a key herb for treating swelling, and Miao Xiyong in “Ben Cao Jing Shu” regarded Cang Zhu as a superior herb for treating wind and dampness. Jia Jiuru stated that Cang Zhu treats wind, cold, dampness, and skin edema. It is also said that dampness in the lower body leads to weakness in the legs and knees, and thus, when combined with Huang Bai (Phellodendron), it can strengthen the legs and knees. Huang Gongxiu in “Ben Cao Qiu Zhen” also stated that it can treat lower body damp heat. The commonly used “San Miao Wan” treats symptoms of burning heat in the soles of the feet, gradually affecting the waist and hips, damp heat paralysis, pain, and weakness; it consists of Cang Zhu 6 liang, Huang Bai 4 liang, and Niu Xi 2 liang, ground into fine powder, mixed with wine to form pills, taking three qian each, which has some similarity in efficacy to the aforementioned Cang Zhu ointment.6. Efficacy of Cang Zhu in Treating Night Blindness Night blindness, also known as chicken blindness, is referred to as “Ying Mang” in Western medicine, where one cannot see at night and objects appear blurry, primarily due to a deficiency of vitamin A. In traditional Chinese medicine, Cang Zhu has long been used to treat this condition, with the following formulas for reference. 1. Fu Ming San: Cang Zhu 4 liang, soaked in rice wash to remove the skin, sliced and roasted into powder, 2 liang of pig liver, mixed with the medicine, tied with thread, boiled in a sand pot with one bowl of water until cooked, used to fumigate the eyes, taking three qian before bed; or use Cang Zhu powder, taking one qian each time. 2. Pig Liver Powder for Treating Night Blindness: Seven pieces of pig liver, three qian of Cang Zhu, soaked in rice wash, boiled until the water is dry, left overnight, taken on an empty stomach three to four times to recover. 3. Cang Zhu Pig Liver Powder: Cang Zhu, roasted in rice wash, 8 liang, and Gu Jing Cao 1 liang, ground into fine powder, mixed with two pieces of pig liver until soft, then ground together, taken with rice drink. 4. Another formula: One piece of Shi Jue Ming (Haliotis), ground, Cang Zhu, roasted and ground 3 qian, and one jin of pig liver, stir-fried until cooked, first fumigate the eyes, then take three doses to recover. Regarding the records in herbal texts: Zhang Yuansu stated that Cang Zhu “brightens the eyes and warms the water organs,” and there are also experiential formulas stating that taking Zhu can brighten the eyes and ears. It is now known that Cang Zhu contains sufficient vitamin A, exceeding that in fish liver by twenty times, thus effectively treating night blindness due to vitamin A deficiency.7. Efficacy of Cang Zhu in Treating Diarrhea and Dysentery There is an effective formula for treating dysentery, which uses Cang Zhu 4 liang (soaked in rice wash and roasted), Chuan Qiang Huo 1 liang, 49 sweet almonds, Chuan Wu 1 liang, and Sheng Da Huang 1 liang, ground into fine powder, taking five fen, mixed with warm water. This is quite effective for water diarrhea (acute enteritis) and dysentery, with Cang Zhu as the main ingredient. I remember when I was young, living in the countryside of Suzhou, suffering from persistent dysentery (amoebic dysentery), I once bought a miraculous dysentery pill from Wang Hongzhu’s pharmacy in Suzhou, which cured me immediately, and its ingredients were similar to this. According to various records: Zhen Quan in “Yao Xing Ben Cao” stated that Cang Zhu stops vomiting and diarrhea. Li Shicai in “Ben Cao Tu Jie” stated that aside from various vomiting and diarrhea diseases, its efficacy surpasses Bai Zhu. Jia Jiuru stated that Cang Zhu is effective for dampness in the middle burner, stagnation of qi causing diarrhea, thus it regulates the middle and strengthens the spleen. Zhang Shanlei stated that Cang Zhu is effective for abdominal distension and diarrhea, especially for damp heat, all of which are specifically aimed at dysentery. However, it has not been understood that Cang Zhu has many therapeutic values. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that many of the formulas above involve grinding Cang Zhu into powder, making pills, or concentrating it into ointments, which preserves all of Cang Zhu’s effective components, certainly better than decocting it.
Copyright Statement: This article is reproduced from the internet. If there is any infringement, please contact us for deletion. The content in the article is reproduced, and the various prescriptions and formulas mentioned are for reference and learning only, and should not be used as prescriptions. Please do not use them blindly. This platform does not bear any responsibility for any consequences arising from this. We look forward to your original submissions at: [email protected]
Editor | Medical Sharing Club~Gray Wolf, Supervisor | Medical Sharing Club~Dulian
Click the “Look” button in the lower right corner,
so your friends can read the articles you find interesting in “Look at”!