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Synonym: Shanjiang (Mountain Ginger).
Sweet in taste, warm in nature, non-toxic. It is said that Baizhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma, referring to common Atractylodes) has a plump texture and its medicinal qi tends to be stagnant; Taizhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma from Tiantai) has slender strips but weaker efficacy; Ningguo Goutou Shu (Atractylodis Rhizoma from Ningguo) has reddish skin and is slightly larger. However, these are mostly cultivated through irrigation, so their medicinal qi is turbid, unlike the wild Baizhu from Yuqian (now Lin'an, Zhejiang), whose medicinal qi is clear and free from stagnation.
When used in various Qi-tonifying formulas, it should be steamed over rice several times before use.
When used in formulas for chronic cough of the Lung and Stomach, it should be mixed with honey water and steamed.
When used in formulas for Spleen and Stomach phlegm-dampness, it should be mixed with ginger juice and sun-dried.
When used in formulas for strengthening the Spleen, it should be stir-fried with soil.
When used in formulas for dysentery, diarrhea, and collapse due to deficiency, it should be stir-fried until partially charred (preserving some carbonized state) before use.
When used in formulas for wind-bi, phlegm-dampness, diuresis, or blood-breaking, it should be used raw. However, if it is not produced in Yuqian, it must not be used raw.

*Shennong Bencao Jing* records: It mainly treats wind-cold-damp bi syndrome, dead flesh, spasms, jaundice, stops sweating, clears heat, aids digestion, and can be made into decoction pastes. Long-term consumption lightens the body, prolongs life, and prevents hunger.

Invention (Post-Han medical insights): Baizhu is sweet and warm with a strong aroma, belonging to Yin within Yang. Its action can ascend and descend, entering the Spleen and Stomach meridians.
When used raw, it has the effects of removing dampness and benefiting dryness, eliminating phlegm and promoting urination, treating wind-cold-damp bi syndrome, dead flesh, spasms, and jaundice, dissipating blood stasis between the waist and umbilicus, and relieving rebellious Qi and abdominal urgency caused by Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) disorders.
When processed (cooked), it has the effects of harmonizing the middle and tonifying Qi, stopping thirst and generating fluids, stopping sweating and clearing heat, promoting appetite, and calming the fetus.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* states it treats wind-cold-damp bi, dead flesh, spasms, and jaundice because Bi syndrome formed by the combination of Wind, Cold, and Dampness manifests as stiffness and pain. *Neijing* states: "Dampness from the earth, when invading the human body, damages the skin, sinews, bones, and muscles." 'Dead flesh' refers to muscle damage caused by damp-toxin invasion. 'Spasms' result from Wind-Cold invading the Liver, Lung, and Kidney meridians when defensive Qi is deficient. 'Jaundice' results from Spleen and Stomach deficiency with damp-heat stagnation. All the aforementioned syndromes are caused by Wind, Cold, and Dampness. Since Baizhu has the power to eliminate these three pathogens, it can cure diseases induced by them.
Regarding its ability to stop sweating, remove dampness, and promote eating: When damp-heat is excessive, spontaneous sweating occurs; when damp pathogen resides, fever arises. Once dampness is removed, the Spleen and Stomach become dry; when dry, food digests naturally, sweating stops, and heat clears.
Furthermore, it treats severe wind invasion on the body, wind-induced vertigo and headache, tearing, eliminates phlegm and fluid retention, drives out wind-water swelling in the skin, removes epigastric fullness and urgency, and stops continuous vomiting and diarrhea from Huoluan (cholera-like disorder). It promotes blood flow in the waist and umbilical region, nourishes fluids, warms the Stomach, aids grain digestion, and increases appetite. Combined with Renshen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma) and Fuling (Poria), it greatly tonifies Middle Qi; combined with Zhishi (Immature Bitter Orange Fruit) and Chenpi (Tangerine Peel), it strengthens digestion and transport.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* mentions "aiding digestion by making decoction paste," implying retaining the dregs to strengthen Spleen Qi transport, allowing food to transform naturally.
Zhang Zhongjing's Wu Ling San (Five-Ingredient Powder with Poria) follows Ze Zhu Mi Xian Tang from *Suwen*, using both herbs raw. However, Wu Ling San uses Mi Xian (Elaphur Antler) to control blood, thus stopping sweat; this formula uses Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig) to unblock fluids, thus relieving thirst.
Li Dongyuan's Zhi Zhu Wan (Immature Bitter Orange and Atractylodes Pill) follows Zhishi Tang from *Jingui Yaolue*. That formula uses raw Zhishi to strengthen the Stomach, resolving rebellious fullness spontaneously. This formula uses cooked Baizhu to assist the Spleen, strengthening diet intake. Moreover, it wraps the pill in Lotus Leaf with rice, utilizing the pure ascending Qi to boost the power of transformation and transportation.
Generally, Baizhu obtains the harmonious Qi of the Central Palace. As the Sovereign herb in formulas tonifying the Spleen and Stomach, when Spleen Earth is robust, Clear Qi ascends and essence is transported upward, while Turbid Qi descends and waste is excreted.
Xu Dachun (Zhongchun) stated: Baizhu inherits the pure Yang Earth Qi; its ability to dispel evil is superior, but its effect of nourishing Yin is lacking.
Therefore, conditions belonging to Yin deficiency and blood scarcity, insufficiency of essence, internal heat with bone-steaming sensation, dry mouth and lips, cough with sputum, hematemesis, epistaxis, gingival bleeding, constipation, or dysentery are all contraindicated.
Baizhu dries the Kidney and obstructs Qi; those with moving Qi in the Liver and Kidney should not take it.
Liu Juanzi said: Carbuncles and sores contraindicate Baizhu because it dries the Kidney and obstructs Qi, thereby causing pus formation and pain.
All Zang organs belong to Yin. People only know that Baizhu strengthens the Spleen, but do they realize that using it in Spleen deficiency without dampness will instead dry the Spleen's fluids, damaging Spleen Yin? How can this be considered tonification? This is the most common error, so it is specifically highlighted to warn others.