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Cang Zhu苍术

Atractylodis Rhizoma · Atractylodes Rhizome · Black Atractylodes

Aromatic Herbs that Transform Dampness 化湿药《神农本草经》

Overview

The rhizome of Atractylodes lancea or A. chinensis, and the drying counterpart to Bai Zhu: where Bai Zhu builds the Spleen, Cang Zhu strips damp out of it. Acrid, bitter, warm and strongly aromatic, entering the Spleen and Stomach channels, it is the chief herb of Ping Wei San for a damp-encumbered middle burner with a thick greasy tongue coating, and it also drives wind-damp out of the joints. Dry-frying moderates its harshness for a weak stomach, and the honey-prepared form is gentler still, trading some damp-drying force for a moistening, harmonizing touch on the middle.

Nature & Flavor

Acrid, bitter · Warm

Channels

Spleen · Stomach · Liver

Typical Dosage

5–10 g in decoction
苍术Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

5 core actions

  • Dries damp, fortifies the SpleenDamp obstructing the middle with fullness, nausea, poor appetite, loose stools and a thick greasy tongue coating — the Ping Wei San pattern.
  • Dispels wind-dampDamp painful obstruction with heavy aching joints and weak, swollen legs; paired with Huang Bai in Er Miao San for damp-heat in the lower body.
  • Releases the exterior, disperses wind-cold-dampExterior wind-cold-damp with body aches, heaviness and absence of sweating.
  • Brightens the eyesA long-standing use for night blindness and poor vision, consistent with the vitamin A content of the source plant.
  • How the processed forms differDry-fried Cang Zhu is less harshly drying and easier on a weak stomach; the honey-prepared form is gentler again, giving up some damp-drying force in exchange for a moistening, harmonizing effect on the middle burner.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Cang Zhu

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Epigastric fullness, nausea, poor appetite and loose stools with a greasy coating
    - Damp painful obstruction; heavy, weak, swollen legs
    - Wind-cold-damp exterior patterns with body ache and no sweating
    - Night blindness and dim vision

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

DyspepsiaGastritisArthritisEdema

Contraindications

Cautions

Strongly aromatic and drying: not for yin deficiency with internal heat, dry mouth and thirst, and not for profuse sweating from qi deficiency. Reduce or avoid it where fluids are already depleted.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Not a classical contraindication — practitioner judgment applies.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.