Atractylodes / Bai Zhu
Atractylodes are a powerful hormone balancer, proven to fight inflammation and ease a wide range of menstrual symptoms.
Helps with:
Fatigue
Diarrhea
Bloating
Sweating
How it heals
In Chinese Medicine, Atractylodes supplements the spleen and tonifies qi. It also dries dampness, promotes water metabolism throughout the body, and stops spontaneous sweating due to qi deficiency.
In Western medicine, Atractylodes has antibacterial, anti-ulcer, diuretic, and metabolic properties. It’s been proven to boost immune function, relieve stress, protect the liver, and regulate blood sugar.
Fun fact: Atractylodes is a member of the sunflower or Asteraceae family. They are named for the star-like structure of the flowering portion of the plant (but we use the root in Chinese medicine).
What the research says
In a clinical study conducted on mice, Atractylodes
exhibited anti-inflammatory agents in acute and chronic
inflammation.
Both Atracyltlenolide I and Atractylenolide III are
components of Bai Zhu and inhibit TNF-alpha and Nitric
oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-induced
macrophages.
In a mouse model of PCOS (Polycystic ovarian
syndrome), Atractylodes’s methanol extract regulates
gonadal hormone production and alleviates
hyperandrogenism.
Read ArticleThe extract of Atractylodes inhibits pregnant uterine
muscle contraction by enhancing the calcium activated
potassium currents, suggesting that Atractylodes can
help maintain the balance of uterine contractions during
premature delivery.
Read Article
