Atractylodes - Rhizoma Areactylodis Lanceae

(English) Swordlike Atractylodes Rhizome

Alias: Rhizoma Atractylodes, Rhizoma Atractylodes, and Qiongzhu.

Source: The rhizome of Atractylodeslancea (Thunb.) DC.

Plant form: Perennial herb, 30~60cm tall. Stem erect or sparsely branched in upper part. The leaves are alternate, leathery, ovate-lanceolate or elliptical, with spiny teeth on the edges. The upper leaves are mostly unlobed and sessile; the lower leaves are often 3-lobed, stalked or sessile. The inflorescence is terminal, with one round of pinnate leaf-like involucre below; the involucre is cylindrical, with 6 to 8 layers of involucre; the flowers are bisexual or unisexual, mostly dioecious; the bisexual flowers have long pinnate hairs; the corolla White, elongated tubular shape. Achenes are covered with yellow-white hairs. The flowering period is from August to October, and the fruiting period is from September to October.

Born in shrubs and grass on slopes. Mainly produced in Jiangsu, Hubei, Henan and Anhui.

Harvesting and processing: Excavate in spring and autumn, remove sediment, dry in the sun, and remove fibrous roots.

Characteristics: Rhizome irregularly beaded or nodular cylindrical, slightly curved, occasionally bifurcated, 3~10cm long, 0.5~2cm in diameter. The surface is grey-brown, with wrinkles, horizontal curved lines and fibrous root marks, and a stem pain at the top. The texture is solid, the cross-section is yellow-white or off-white, and there are many reddish-brown oil chambers. The aroma is specific and the taste is slightly sweet, pungent and bitter.

The chemical composition contains volatile oil, which mainly contains atractylodin, β-eudeinol, hinesol, and hydroxy- atractylon) etc.

Nature and flavor: Warm in nature, pungent and bitter in taste.

Functions and Indications: Dry dampness and strengthen the spleen, dispel wind, dispel cold, and improve eyesight. It is used for abdominal distension, diarrhea, edema, athlete's foot, rheumatic arthralgia, wind-cold cold, and night blindness. Note: The rhizome of A. chinensis (DC.) Koidz., a plant belonging to the same genus, is also used as Atractylodes for medicinal purposes. Remind you: Atractylodes - Atractylodes atractylodes. This Chinese herbal medicine comes from the Internet. Please follow your doctor's advice before use.