Bái Zhú (白术), known in English as White atractylodes (Atractylodes macrocephala), is a warm, bitter and sweet Chinese herb from the Tonify qi category. It enters the Spleen and Stomach channels. Its main action: tonifies Spleen qi, dries Damp.
| Pinyin | Bái Zhú (Bai Zhu) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 白术 |
| English | White atractylodes |
| Botanical name | Atractylodes macrocephala |
| Category | Tonify qi |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Bitter, Sweet |
| Channels | Spleen, Stomach |
| Dosage | 6–12g |
| Cautions | Yin deficiency with thirst; Heat patterns |
Actions
- Tonifies Spleen qi, dries Damp
- Stabilises exterior, stops sweating
- Calms foetus
- Promotes urination
Indications
- Spleen qi deficiency with Damp
- Spontaneous sweating
- Threatened miscarriage
- Oedema
How to remember Bái Zhú
Tonify qi herbs are mostly sweet, and most enter the Spleen, Lung and Stomach channels.
- You can work these out
- Sweet, Stomach channel: like most Tonify qi herbs
- Spleen channel: from its action “Tonifies Spleen qi”
- Learn by heart
- Warm: Tonify qi herbs vary in nature
- Bitter: unusual for Tonify qi herbs (most are sweet)
Formulas containing Bái Zhú
- Sì Jūn Zǐ Tāng
- Bǔ Zhōng Yì Qì Tāng
- Guī Pí Tāng
- Xiāo Yáo Sǎn
- Jiā Wèi Xiāo Yáo Sǎn
- Lǐ Zhōng Wán
- Tòng Xiè Yào Fāng
- Wǔ Líng Sǎn
- Zhēn Wǔ Tāng
- Fáng Jǐ Huáng Qí Tāng
- Bā Zhēn Tāng
- Shí Quán Dà Bǔ Tāng
- Rén Shēn Yǎng Yíng Tāng
- Huáng Tǔ Tāng
- Jiàn Pí Wán
- Bàn Xià Bái Zhú Tiān Má Tāng
- Yù Píng Fēng Sǎn
Other Tonify qi herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Bái Zhú?
Bái Zhú is warm and bitter and sweet.
Which channels does Bái Zhú enter?
Bái Zhú enters the Spleen and Stomach channels.
What are the actions of Bái Zhú?
Tonifies Spleen qi, dries Damp; Stabilises exterior, stops sweating; Calms foetus; Promotes urination.
What is Bái Zhú used for?
Spleen qi deficiency with Damp; spontaneous sweating; threatened miscarriage; oedema.
Which formulas contain Bái Zhú?
Sì Jūn Zǐ Tāng, Bǔ Zhōng Yì Qì Tāng, Guī Pí Tāng, Xiāo Yáo Sǎn, Jiā Wèi Xiāo Yáo Sǎn, Lǐ Zhōng Wán, Tòng Xiè Yào Fāng, Wǔ Líng Sǎn, Zhēn Wǔ Tāng, Fáng Jǐ Huáng Qí Tāng, Bā Zhēn Tāng, Shí Quán Dà Bǔ Tāng, Rén Shēn Yǎng Yíng Tāng, Huáng Tǔ Tāng, Jiàn Pí Wán, Bàn Xià Bái Zhú Tiān Má Tāng and Yù Píng Fēng Sǎn.
Practise Bái Zhú and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.