Botanical Description:
The large rhizome (commonly called a tuber) varies in shape, often mace-shaped with many bulging nodes, tapering at the top, or appearing in thick, lean segments, 5 to 10 cm long and 2 to 5 cm in diameter. The outer surface is light brown or gray, has many nodes, chrysanthemum-like veins, and many longitudinal wrinkles. The interior is hard and difficult to break, the cross-section is uneven, yellow to light brown in color, and has scattered cavities containing yellow-brown essential oil with a characteristic aroma.

Notable uses of Bạch truật include:

1. Strengthening the spleen and replenishing Qi

• Supports treatment of physical weakness, poor appetite, and fatigue: Bạch truật helps enhance spleen and stomach function.

• Often combined with Qi-boosting herbs like ginseng and licorice in tonic recipes.

2. Aiding digestion and relieving bloating

• Improves digestion: Used for indigestion, abdominal bloating, and nausea.

• Supports treatment of diarrhea caused by spleen deficiency and poor absorption.

3. Promoting urination and reducing swelling

• Helps reduce edema caused by water retention due to weak spleen function.

• Used for cases with reduced urination, facial edema, and mild swelling of limbs.

4. Stabilizing pregnancy

• Helps prevent miscarriage symptoms such as bleeding and mild abdominal pain during pregnancy.

• Commonly combined with herbs like Astragalus and Dipsacus in prescriptions for pregnancy stabilization.

5. Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects (based on modern research)

• Some studies indicate Bạch truật can inhibit intestinal bacteria and mildly enhance immunity.

• Exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Usage notes:

• Not recommended for individuals with Yin deficiency, constipation, or dry mouth caused by heat, as Bạch truật is warm and drying in nature.

• Clearly differentiate between Bạch truật (the herb) and Thương truật (Atractylodes lancea), as they belong to the same family but have somewhat different effects.

• Should be used according to dosage and instructions from traditional medicine practitioners.

• Can be used as decoctions, pills, or in combination with other herbs in compound prescriptions.