Characteristics Rhizome appearing as irregular masses, 3-13 cm long, 1.5-7.0 cm broad; Surface grey-yellow, nodes indistinct, with tubercular protuberances and fibrous root scars, stem bases and bud scars remaining at the upper end. Section loose, with spotted and scattered brown secretory cavities. Aromatic in odour. Sweet and bitter in taste, warm in nature and attributive to spleen and stomach channels.

  White Atractylodes is a very commonly used herb in Chinese herbalism tobuild "Qi" (energy), strengthen digestion, and eliminate dampness. When combined with blood tonics and other "Qi" tonics it can help fortify and circulate the blood. It benefits the spleen greatly and builds the defensive "Qi" (Wei Qi) of the body, thus helping stop spontaneous sweating.

1. Invigorate the spleen and benefit vital energy: For deficiency of spleen-energy and stomach-energy, or yang deficiency manifested as poor appetite, loose stools, diarrhea, fatigue, cold limbs, pale tongue, etc., usually used together with Radix Codonopsis Piiosulae or Rhizoma Zingiberis;

2. Deprive dampness and promote diuresis: For phlegm-retention syndrome with dizziness or cough and thin expectoration, usually used together with Ramulus Cinnamomi, Poria and Radix Glycyrrhizae (Decoction of Poria, Ramujus annamomi and GIycyrrhizae); also for edema of spleen-deficiency type, arthralgia of wind-old-ampness type;

3. Strengthen the superficies and stop sweating: For superficies-asthenia with spontaneous sweating, usually used together with Radix Astragali seu Hedysari;

4. Soothe the fetus: For threatened abortion due to spleen-deficiency and morning sickness, usually used together with Fructus Amomi or Radix Scutellariae, for abnormal fetal position, usually used together with Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Rhizoma Ligustici Chaanxiong, Radix Paeoniae AIba, Poria and Rhizoma Alismatis (Powder of Angelicae Sinensis and Paeoniae).

1. Applied in food field, it is used in coffee and other drinks;

2. Applied in health product & pharmaceutical field, as raw material of aphrodisiac gellants, it is often added in health food and drugs;

3. Applied in food field, it is an anti-aging ingredient which can be added in cosmetics.