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Atractylodes macrocephala - Koidz.

Common Name

Bai Zhu

Family

Compositae

Synonyms

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Pastures and waste ground[238]. Grassland and forests at elevations of 600 - 2800 metres[266].

Range

E. Asia - China, Japan and Korea.

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in).
It is hardy to zone 6. It is in flower from Jul to August, and the seeds ripen from Aug to September. The flowers are dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required)

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil.The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils..It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.It requires moist soil.


http://photozou.jp/photo/show/110033/26530920

Habitats
Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses
None known

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Antibacterial; Diuretic; Sedative; Stomachic; Tonic.

Bai Zhu is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine[238]. The root contains an essential oil, glucoside and inulin[283]. It is a bitter-sweet tonic herb that acts mainly upon the digestive system and strengthens the spleen[238, 254]. The root is antibacterial, diuretic, hypoglycaemic, sedative, stomachic and tonic[176, 238]. It is used in the treatment of poor appetite, dyspepsia, abdominal distension, chronic diarrhoea, oedema and spontaneous sweating[176]. It is often used in conjunction with other herbs such as Codonopsis tangshen and Glycyrrhiza uralensis[238]. Combined with Baical skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) it is used to prevent miscarriage[254]. The roots are harvested in the autumn and baked for use in tonics[238].

Other Uses
None known

Cultivation details
Succeeds in any well-drained soil in sun or partial shade[238]. This species is probably hardy in most of Britain, it tolerates temperatures down to at least -15°c[238]. Widely cultivated in China for its use as a medicinal herb[238, 266]. This species is dioecious. Both male and female plants need to be grown if seed is required[266].

Propagation
Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the following spring or early summer.

Expert comment

Author
Koidz.

Botanical References
238266

Links / References

[176]Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas.

An excellent Chinese herbal giving information on over 500 species. Rather technical and probably best suited to the more accomplished user of herbs.

[238]Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.

A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

[254]Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants

An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.

[266] Flora of China

On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.

[283]Nguyen Van Dan & Doan Thi Nhu Medicinal Plants in Vietnam

An excellent book, giving information on over 200 plants, their medicinal compounds and applications.

Readers comment

Elizabeth H.
Simon Williams	Tue Apr 7 2009

. THank you for the great site. I am in Australia and would love to find Bai Zhu seeds/plants. AQIS treats Atractylodes as a potential weed so can not be officially imported. Thank you, Simon

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Subject : Atractylodes macrocephala

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