White atractylodes
Atractylodes macrocephala · 白术
Herbs & Roots. Chinese Medicine.
Also called Bai zhu, Largehead atractylodes, Byakujutsu
Pinyin: Bái Zhú
Limited human safety dataA knobby root used in Chinese medicine to support digestion and energy, and to hold fluids in balance.
Did you know? Bai zhu is one of the four herbs in Si Jun Zi Tang, a classic formula whose name means Four Gentlemen Decoction.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Digestion & gut health. Traditional use for loose stools and bloating. Human trials exist mainly for formulas that contain it, not the herb alone.Traditional proof
- Energy & tiredness. Traditional use for tiredness. Lab and animal studies only.Traditional proof
- Inflammation. Lab studies show anti-inflammatory compounds. No good human trials.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Gut & intestines, Stomach, Energy & metabolism, Immune system, Joints
Traditional use
Traditional Chinese Medicine uses bai zhu to strengthen the Spleen (a digestive and energy organ in TCM), for loose stools, bloating and tiredness. It is a core herb in Si Jun Zi Tang and Shen Ling Bai Zhu San.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Tonic, Diuretic, Carminative, Anti-inflammatory. Energy: warming.
- Chinese medicine
- 白术 Tonify Qi. Nature: warm. Flavour: sweet, bitter. Enters the Spleen and Stomach channels.
How people take it
Traditional decoctions often use 6 to 12 g a day. Human dose data for the herb alone are lacking.
Decoction, powder, capsule and tea.
Where to get it
Cultivated in China, Japan and Korea. Sold as dried rhizome slices, powder and capsules. Often sold as a component of mixed formulas.
Be careful
Mostly well tolerated. Some people feel bloated or dry at high doses. Not well studied in pregnancy or with long-term use.
Avoid if: pregnancy; diabetes medicines; dry mouth or dry stool.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Part of Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction).
- Works well together
Both are in Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction), a classic formula for low energy and weak digestion.
- Works well together
Huang qi and bai zhu are the two main herbs in Yu Ping Feng San (Jade Windscreen Powder), used to strengthen defenses.
- Works well together
Dang shen and bai zhu are paired in many Spleen-strengthening formulas, including versions of Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction).
- Works well together
Bai zhu and poria are paired in Si Jun Zi Tang and Shen Ling Bai Zhu San to strengthen digestion and drain excess moisture.
- Works well together
Bai zhu and shan yao are both in Shen Ling Bai Zhu San (Ginseng, Poria and Atractylodes Powder), used for weak digestion.
- Works well together
Dong quai and bai zhu are both in Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer), used in tradition for stress and irritability.
- Works well together
Bai shao and bai zhu are both in Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer).
- Works well together
Also in Yu Ping Feng San, where white atractylodes supports digestion and energy.
- Works well together
Paired in Ze Xie Tang (Alisma Decoction) for dizziness from damp fluid.
- Works well together
Paired in Zhi Zhu Wan (Bitter Orange and Atractylodes Pill) for bloating and poor digestion.
Found in these formulas
Four Gentlemen (TCM), Jade Windscreen (TCM), Free & Easy Wanderer (TCM), Restore the Spleen (TCM)
The honest take
Bai zhu is a long-used digestive herb with little reported harm, but almost all evidence is lab work or formula trials. Its benefits for digestion are traditional and mostly unproven on their own. Quality varies, and some traditional texts warn against it when the body is hot or dry.