白术∶性温而燥，气香不窜，味苦微甘微辛。善健脾胃，消痰水，止泄泻。治脾虚作胀，脾湿作渴，脾弱
四肢运动无力，甚或作疼。与凉润药同用，又善补肺；与升散药同用，又善调肝；与镇安药同用，又善养心；
与滋阴药同用，又善补肾，为后天资生之要药。故能于肺、肝、肾、心四脏皆能有所补益也。
【附案】一妇人年三十许，泄泻半载，百药不效，脉象濡弱，右关尤甚，知其脾胃虚也，俾用生白术轧细
焙熟，再用熟枣肉
六两，和为小饼，炉上炙干，当点心服之，细细嚼咽，未尽剂而愈。
一妇人因行经下血不止，服药旬余无效，势极危殆。诊其脉象浮缓，按之即无，问其饮食不消，大便滑泻。
知其脾胃虚甚，中焦之气化不能健运统摄，下焦之气化因之不固也。遂于治下血药中加白术一两，生鸡内金一
两，服一剂血即止，又服数剂以善其后。
一人年二十二，喘逆甚剧，脉数至七至，投以滋阴兼纳气降气之剂，不效。后于方中加白术数钱，将药煎
出，其喘促亦至极点，不能服药，将药重温三次，始强服下，一剂喘即见轻，连服数剂全愈。后屡用其方以治
喘证之剧者，多有效验。
一少年咽喉常常发干，饮水连连不能解渴。诊其脉微弱迟濡，当系脾胃湿寒，不能健运，以致气化不升也。
投以四君子汤加干姜、桂枝尖，方中白术重用两许，一剂其渴即止。
Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu): Its nature is warm and drying, its aroma is fragrant but not pungent or dispersing, and its taste is bitter with slight sweetness and slight acridity. It excels at strengthening the Spleen and Stomach, eliminating phlegm-fluids, and stopping diarrhea. It treats abdominal distension caused by Spleen deficiency, thirst caused by Spleen dampness, weakness in limb movement due to Spleen weakness, and even pain. When used together with cooling and moistening herbs, it also excels at tonifying Lung Qi; when used with ascending and dispersing herbs, it excels at regulating the Liver; when used with sedating and calming herbs, it excels at nourishing the Heart; and when used with yin-nourishing herbs, it excels at tonifying the Kidney. It is a crucial herb for the generation of post-heaven Qi (referring to the digestive function). Therefore, it can benefit the four Zang organs: Lung, Liver, Kidney, and Heart.
[Attached Cases] A woman, approximately thirty years old, suffered from diarrhea for half a year without effect from various medicines. Her pulse was soggy and weak, especially at the right Guan position, indicating Spleen and Stomach deficiency. She was instructed to grind raw Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma into fine powder, roast it thoroughly, mix it with six taels of cooked jujube flesh, form small cakes, dry them on a stove, and take them as snacks, chewing slowly and swallowing. She recovered before finishing one dose.
Another woman suffered from continuous bleeding during menstruation for over ten days despite medication, her condition being extremely critical. Her pulse was floating and moderate, disappearing upon heavy pressure. Upon inquiry, she reported indigestion and loose stools. This indicated severe Spleen and Stomach deficiency, where the transformation and transportation functions of the Middle Jiao failed to govern and control, leading to instability in the Lower Jiao's Qi transformation. One tael of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and one tael of raw Endothelium Corneum Gigeriae Galli (Jineijin) were added to the formula for treating bleeding. After one dose, the bleeding stopped; several more doses were taken to consolidate the recovery.
A twenty-two-year-old man suffered from severe wheezing and rebellious Qi, with a rapid pulse rate of seven beats per respiration (approx. 140+ bpm). Treatment with formulas for nourishing Yin and grasping/descending Qi was ineffective. Later, a few qian of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma were added to the prescription. After decoction, the patient’s wheezing reached its peak, making it impossible to swallow the medicine. The decoction was reheated three times before he could force himself to drink it. After one dose, the wheezing alleviated; after several consecutive doses, he fully recovered. This formula has since been used frequently for severe asthma cases with good results.
A young man constantly experienced dryness in the throat, unable to quench his thirst despite frequent drinking. His pulse was weak, slow, and soggy, suggesting Cold-Dampness in the Spleen and Stomach impairing transformation and preventing the ascent of Qi. He was prescribed Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) supplemented with Dried Ginger (Ganjiang) and the tips of Cinnamon Twig (Guizhi Jian), with a heavy dose of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (approximately one tael). After one dose, his thirst ceased.