Atractylodes

BotanicalBest with a meal

What is it

Atractylodes is a genus of plants in the daisy family used in traditional Chinese medicine, particularly Atractylodes macrocephala (bai zhu) and Atractylodes lancea (cang zhu). The rhizomes are the medicinal part.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Digestive support (traditional use)

Mixed Evidence

Long TCM tradition for digestive complaints; modern clinical evidence is limited and mostly involves multi-herb formulas.

How it works

Atractylodes rhizomes contain sesquiterpenes (atractylenolides, atractylon), polysaccharides, and essential oils. Laboratory studies suggest anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating, and digestive activities. In traditional Chinese medicine, atractylodes is described as 'tonifying the spleen' and is used in many formulas for digestive weakness, fatigue, and bloating. Most clinical evidence is from traditional combination formulas rather than atractylodes alone. Modern controlled trials are limited.

Dosage

No established RDA. Traditional doses are 5-15 g of dried rhizome as a decoction, or 200-500 mg of standardized extract daily.

When and how to take it

WHEN: Often divided into 2-3 doses daily, before or with meals. HOW: With warm water; commonly used in TCM formulas rather than as a single herb.

2 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Dried rhizome

Used in TCM formulas.

Traditional decoction form.

Standardized extract

Modern supplement form.

More consistent active compound delivery.

Safety

Generally safe in traditional doses. Side effects can include mild GI upset, headache, and (rarely) allergic reactions in Asteraceae-sensitive individuals.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to limited safety data. Avoid in Asteraceae allergy. Discuss with a clinician before use, especially in chronic conditions.

Interactions

Limited interaction data. Theoretical interaction with diabetes medications and diuretics based on traditional use.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between bai zhu and cang zhu?⌄

Bai zhu (A. macrocephala) is considered more 'tonifying' for digestion, while cang zhu (A. lancea) is more 'drying' and used for damp conditions in TCM. They are related but distinct herbs.

References

Atractylodes on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Atractylodes on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Atractylodes (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.