Atractylodes seeds macrocephala BAI ZHU seeds

Medicinal Uses: Anti-bacterial; Diuretic; Sedative; Stomachic; Tonic.

Bai Zhu is widely used in traditional chinese medicine. The root is a bitter-sweet tonic herb that acts mainly upon the digestive system and strengthens the spleen.

The root is antibacterial, diuretic, hypoglycemic, sedative, stomachic and tonic[176, 238]. It is used in the treatment of poor appetite, dyspepsia, abdominal distension, chronic diarrhea, edema and spontaneous sweating[176]. It is often used in conjunction with other herbs such as Codonopsis tangshen and Glycyrrhiza uralensis[238]. Combined with Baical skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) it is used to prevent miscarriage. The roots are harvested in the autumn and baked for use in tonics.