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Cangzhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma) is warm in nature, sweet and pungent in flavor, with a light qi and strong taste. It is non-toxic, capable of ascending and descending, and belongs to the Yang category. It enters the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian and the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian. It resolves phlegm nodules and cysts, and relieves the sensation of tightness in the chest. It treats wandering wind affecting the body and face (Youfeng), and rapidly alleviates headache caused by wind-induced vertigo. It repels mountainous miasma and pestilential qi, proving particularly effective against seasonal epidemics. It warms the stomach, calms the fetus, expands the middle jiao, promotes appetite, drives out phlegm stasis and qi masses, stops abdominal distension and pain, and shares similar functions with Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma). However, its strength in tonifying the middle and drying dampness is inferior to Baizhu, whereas its efficacy in expanding the middle and inducing sweating surpasses that of Baizhu. When guided by downward-draining herbs such as Huangbai (Phellodendri Cortex), Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix), and Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum), it clears damp-phlegm from the lower jiao. When guided by Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Chenpi (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium), and Houpo (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex), it clears dampness from the middle jiao and pacifies excess qi in the stomach. When guided by Congbai (Allii Fistulosi Bulbus), Mahuang (Ephedrae Herba), and Xingren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum), it expels pathogens from the muscle layer to the skin surface. Generally, it is suitable for patients with pathogenic factors but contraindicated for those without. Incompetent physicians err by indiscriminately using Baizhu for both deficiency and excess patterns, as well as for qi stagnation caused by the seven emotions. Ancients recorded that abdominal tightness requires Cangzhu; however, practitioners merely recite this without examining the rationale. Cangzhu is a pungent and dispersing agent, applicable only when dampness and excess pathogens are present. Is it appropriate to use it indiscriminately regardless of deficiency or excess? Moreover, if used for deficiency-related stagnation, it depletes qi and blood, dries up fluids, agitates deficient fire further, and exacerbates the sensation of oppression.

Preparation method: Soak in rice washing water in a copper vessel, place under moonlight to remove yellow oil, wash clean, and sun-dry. Repeat soaking and drying for three nights. Rinse with clear water, wash clean, and sun-dry until approximately five jin of clean herb remains. Mix with one dou of Zisangshen (Mori Fructus), one pot of good vinegar, and four liang of salt. Soak, sun-dry until juice is exhausted, then steam. Repeat the cycle of sun-drying and steaming three times. Decoct Banjiacao (likely referring to a specific local herb, contextually "Da Cao") half a jin, strain, add four liang of honey, moisten, steam, and sun-dry nine times. This yields one jin of processed Cangzhu. Add four liang of Baifuling (Poria), three liang of Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), four liang of Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), three liang of Baizhu, four liang of Shenqu (Massa Medicata Fermentata), and four liang of Qiushi (Lithii Carbonas). Decoct five liang of Da Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), add Zhuli (Bambusae Sap) and Jiangzhi (Zingiberis Recens Juice). Use Shenqu paste to bind into pills. Take with wine, plain water, or rice drink. This formula is named Wuhe Wan (Five-Harmony Pill). It strengthens the spleen and stomach, eliminates phlegm and saliva, boosts spirit, and strengthens the body.