Atractylodes

Other Names:AMK, ATR, Atractylenolide, Atractylénolide, Atractylis lancea, Atractylis ovata, Atractylode Blanc, Atractylode Gris, Atractylodes chinensis, Atractylodes japonica, Atractylodes lancea, Atractylodes macrocephala, Atractylodes ovata, Atractylodis Radix, Bai Zhu, Bai-Zhu Atractylodes, Byaki-Jutsu, Cang Zhu, Cangzhu, Chang Zhe, Jutsu, Paekch'ul, Red Atractylodes, Rhizoma Atractylodis, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macroce, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, Rhizome d’Atractylode, So-Jutsu, White Atractylodes, White Atractylodis.

Special Precautions of Atractylodes

• Atractylenolide, a chemical found in atractylodes, seems to be safe when taken in appropriate amounts (1.32 grams daily) for a short period of time (up to seven weeks). It can cause nausea, dry mouth, and leave a bad taste in the mouth.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of atractylodes during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
• Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Atractylodes may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others. If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking atractylodes.

The benefits of Atractylodes are

• Loss of appetite. Developing research shows that taking a purified atractylodes ingredient called atractylenolide seems to improve appetite in people who have lost weight due to stomach cancer.
• Used with other herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for treating lung cancer (ninjin-yoei-to) and complications of dialysis, a mechanical method for “cleaning the blood” when the kidneys have failed (shenling baizhu san).
• Joint pain (rheumatism).
• Indigestion.
• Stomachache.
• Bloating.
• Edema.
• Diarrhea.