Click above to follow “Learn TCM“! Cang Zhu (Atractylodes) is first recorded in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Shen Nong’s Classic of Materia Medica), which only mentions “Zhu” without distinguishing between Cang and Bai (White Atractylodes). Later, in Ben Cao Jing Ji Zhu by Tao Hongjing, a distinction is made between Chi (Red) and … Read more
Click the top left corner to follow us Atractylodes Plant Source It is the dried rhizome of the plants Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. or Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz. from the Asteraceae family. Other names include Chi Zhu (Red Atractylodes), Qiang Tou Cai (Spearhead Vegetable), Shan Jing (Mountain Essence), Ma Ji (Horse Thistle), Qing Zhu (Green … Read more
Maoshan, a place known for its association with Taoist priests, is the famous mountain where the Daoist masters Ge Hong and Tao Hongjing practiced alchemy and cultivation.Since ancient times, the Dao and medicine have been inseparable; in the eyes of TCM practitioners, Maoshan is also the birthplace of high-quality Cang Zhu (Atractylodes).During the Southern Dynasties, … Read more
Cang Zhu (Scientific name: Atractylodes Lancea (Thunb.) DC.): A perennial herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family. The rhizome is horizontal or obliquely ascending, with adventitious roots. The stem is erect, reaching up to 100 cm in height, solitary or clustered with a few stems, and the basal leaves fall off during flowering; the middle and … Read more
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————– Cang Zhu (Atractylodes) is a species of the Asteraceae family, a wild medicinal plant that is harvested in spring and autumn. Its underground rhizome is cleaned, sliced, and dried for medicinal use. In the family of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), it is also known as Cang Zhu, a material that can strengthen the spleen, … Read more
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. … Read more
Atractylodes is the dried rhizome of the Asteraceae family plant, Mao Cang Zhu (Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC.) or Bei Cang Zhu (Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz.). It is harvested in spring and autumn, cleaned of soil, dried, and the fibrous roots are removed. Mao Cang Zhu plant Bei Cang Zhu plant 【Characteristics】Mao Cang Zhu is irregularly … Read more
【Properties】Taste: Spicy; Bitter; Nature: Warm 【Meridians】Enters the Spleen; Stomach; Liver meridians (Pure music, Gusu Lan family) Today, let us get to know the dampness-transforming herb “Cang Zhu (Atractylodes)”. In discussing this, it is unavoidable to mention Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes) as well. Cang Zhu and Bai Zhu are like two brothers, belonging to the same … Read more
Expert Insights Cang Zhu (Atractylodes) Traditional Chinese Medicine University Essential Knowledge You Should Know About Chinese Herbs Some formulas use Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), while others use Cang Zhu; the same formula may be prepared by different doctors using either Bai Zhu or Cang Zhu. In ancient times, Cang Zhu and Bai Zhu were not … Read more
Source: Classical Chinese Medicine Cang Zhu (Atractylodes) has a pungent and bitter taste, and is warm in nature. It enters the Spleen, Stomach, and Liver meridians. Its functions include drying dampness, strengthening the Spleen, dispelling wind and cold, and improving vision. It is used for abdominal distension, diarrhea, edema, beriberi, rheumatic pain, wind-cold colds, and … Read more