补气生血、健脾燥湿。
甘补脾。温和中。苦燥湿。（经曰∶脾恶湿、急食苦以燥之。）本善补气。同补血药用。
亦能
补血。（气能生血。）无汗能发。有汗能止。（发汗加辛散之味、止汗同 芍之类。）补脾则能
进饮食。祛劳倦。（脾主四肢、虚则四肢倦怠。）止肌热。（脾主肌肉。）化症癖。症癖因脾虚
不运者、宜用此以健脾、脾运则积化也。）和中则能已呕吐。定痛安胎。（得黄芩、清胎热、
得艾、疗胎寒、得参、大补胎元之弱、盖胎系于脾、脾虚则蒂无所附、故易落。）燥湿则能
利
又生津、何也、汪机本草会编曰∶脾恶湿、湿胜则气不得施化、
津何由生、用白术以除其湿、则气得周流、而津液生矣。）止泄泻。化胃经痰水。（土旺自能
胜湿。）理心下急满。（脾胃健于转输。）利腰脐血结。去周身湿痹。（二证皆湿停为患、湿去
则安矣。）按白术赞云。味重金浆。芳逾玉液。百邪外御。六腑内充。盖甚言其功之广也。
肾虚者勿用。有火者宜生用。（寓意草中、载蒋中尊病伤寒、临危、求肉汁淘饭、食毕大叫
一声而逝、门人问临危索饭之时、尚有法可救否、喻嘉言曰∶独参汤可以救之、曾治一孕妇
伤寒、表汗过后、忽唤婢作伸冤之声、知其扰动阳气、急迫无奈、令进参汤、不可捷得、
遂将白术三两、熬浓汁一碗与服、即时安妥、凡力艰不能服参者、重用野术、颇可代之、下
焦阴气不脱、而上焦阳气骤脱者、大能起死回生。）产于潜者最佳。今甚难得。即浙江诸山
出者。俱可用。俗称为天生术。有鹤颈甚长。内有朱砂点。术上有须者尤佳。以其得土气浓
。须乃其余气也。其次出宣歙者。名狗头术。冬月采者佳。用糯米泔浸。（借谷气以和脾。）
陈壁土炒。（借土气以助脾。）或蜜水炒，人乳拌用。（润以制其燥。凡炒白术、止宜炒黄
、若炒焦则气味全失。）熬膏良。
Tonifies Qi to generate Blood, strengthens the Spleen and dries Dampness.
Sweet flavor tonifies the Spleen. Mild and warm nature harmonizes the Middle Jiao. Bitter flavor dries Dampness. (The *Neijing* states: The Spleen dislikes Dampness; urgently consume bitter substances to dry it.) Bai Zhu naturally excels at tonifying Qi. When used with blood-tonifying herbs, it can also tonify Blood. (Because Qi generates Blood.) It can induce sweating when there is no sweat, and stop sweating when there is sweat. (To induce sweating, add acrid and dispersing flavors; to stop sweating, combine with herbs like Shaoyao [Paeoniae Radix].) By tonifying the Spleen, it promotes food intake and dispels fatigue and lassitude. (The Spleen governs the four limbs; deficiency leads to limb lassitude.) It stops muscle fever. (The Spleen governs the muscles.) It resolves accumulations and masses. If these accumulations and masses are due to Spleen deficiency failing to transport, this herb should be used to strengthen the Spleen; once Spleen transportation recovers, the stagnation dissolves. By harmonizing the Middle Jiao, it stops vomiting, alleviates pain, and calms the fetus. (Combined with Huangqin [Scutellariae Radix], it clears fetal heat; combined with Aiyi [Artemisiae Argyi Folium], it treats fetal cold; combined with Renshen [Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma], it greatly tonifies fetal Yuan Qi weakness. The fetus is anchored to the Spleen; Spleen deficiency means the placental root has no attachment, hence prone to miscarriage.) By drying Dampness, it promotes urination and yet generates fluids. Why? Wang Ji in *Bencao Huibian* says: The Spleen dislikes Dampness; when Dampness prevails, Qi cannot transform, so how can fluids be generated? Using Bai Zhu to remove Dampness allows Qi to circulate freely, and thus fluids are produced. It stops diarrhea. It transforms phlegm-fluid retention in the Stomach channel. (When Earth Qi is prosperous, it naturally overcomes Dampness.) It regulates urgent fullness below the heart. (When the Spleen and Stomach are healthy, their transforming and transporting functions are normal.) It unblocks blood stasis in the waist and umbilicus, and removes generalized damp-bi obstruction. (Both conditions are caused by stagnant Dampness; when Dampness is removed, peace is restored.) Commentary: The eulogy for Bai Zhu states: Its taste is precious as golden nectar, its fragrance surpasses jade liquor. It defends against a hundred evils externally and fills the six Fu organs internally. This greatly extols its broad efficacy.
It should not be used for Kidney deficiency. For those with internal Heat, raw usage is suitable. (*Yuyi Cao* records that Jiang Zhongzun suffered from Shanghan [Cold Damage] and was near death, requesting rice washed with meat broth. After eating, he shouted loudly and passed away. His disciples asked if there was any method to save him when he requested food in his final moments. Yu Jiayan said: Dushen Tang [Single Ginseng Decoction] could have saved him. He once treated a pregnant woman with Shanghan. After releasing the exterior through sweating, she suddenly called out to her maid as if seeking justice, indicating disturbance of Yang Qi, urgency, and helplessness. He ordered the administration of Renshen Tang, but it could not be obtained immediately. So he decocted three liang of Yebai Zhu [Wild Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma] into one bowl of thick decoction for her to drink, which immediately stabilized her. For those whose physical strength is too weak to tolerate Renshen, heavy use of Yebai Zhu can serve as a substitute. In cases where Yin Qi in the Lower Jiao does not collapse while Yang Qi in the Upper Jiao suddenly collapses, it can greatly bring the dying back to life.] Bai Zhu produced in Qianshan [Anhui] is the best. It is now very difficult to obtain. Those produced in the mountains of Zhejiang are also usable. Commonly known as "Tiansheng Shu" [Natural-born Atractylodes]. Some have long necks resembling a crane's, with cinnabar-like spots inside. Bai Zhu with rhizome appendages (hairs) is especially good, as it absorbs rich Earth Qi; the appendages are its residual Qi. Next best are those from Xuanzhou and Shexian, named "Goutou Shu" [Dog-head Atractylodes], best harvested in winter. Soak in glutinous rice washing water. (Borrowing grain Qi to harmonize the Spleen.) Stir-fry with aged wall soil. (Borrowing Earth Qi to assist the Spleen.) Or stir-fry with honey water, or mix with human milk. (Using moistening properties to counteract its dryness. Whenever stir-frying Bai Zhu, only stir-fry until yellow; if charred, its flavor and aroma are completely lost.) Making paste is beneficial.