---
title: "Cang Zhu"
url: "https://books.drcassone.com/21/traditional-medicines-of-east-asia/428/cang-zhu"
---

 ![cang zhu, atractylodis rhizoma.jpg](/u/cang-zhu-atractylodis-rhizoma-t64dSG.jpg) 

# Cang Zhu

### Atractylodis Rhizoma

_acrid, bitter, warm_

#### PRIMARY FUNCTION:

_**Aromatic Herb that Transforms Damp**_

MANIFESTATIONS:
- Fatigue
- Gastrointestinal disorders
 - Poor appetite
 - Diarrhea
 - Epigastric distention
 - Nausea
 - Vomiting
 - Thick greasy tongue coat
- Fever
- Chills
- Nasal congestion
- Pain
 - Muscle weakness
 - Arthritis
 - Body aches
 - Headache
- Vaginal discharge
- Dysfunction of the eyes
 - Declining vision with dryness
 - Night blindness

Cang Zhu is acrid to break up and disperse, bitter to drain and
detoxify, and warm to treat cold patterns involving the
accumulation of dampness. It enters the spleen and stomach
systems.

Cang Zhu can be used for internal dampness affecting the middle
jiao but it can also be used for externally contracted patterns of
wind cold damp.

Cang Zhu is unique in this category of herbs in that it improves
visual function.

**Channels:** spleen, stomach

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL
POSSIBILITIES:
- Dysglycemia
 - Diabetic retinopathy
- Gastrointestinal diseases
 - Abdominal distention
 - Nausea
 - Vomiting
 - IBS
 - Gastritis
 - Ulcerative colitis
 - Crohn’s
- Edema
- Arthritis
- Low back pain
- Uropenia
- Urodynia
- Vaginal discharge
 - Related to intestinal dysbiosis
- Eczema

**Formulas:**
- Bu Huan Jin Zheng Qi San
- Cang Fu Dao Tan Tang
- Dang Gui Nian Tong Tang
- Er Miao San
- Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang
- Mie Di Zhi Tang Tang
- Ping Wei San
- Qi Gong Wan
- Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang
- Si Miao Wan
- Wan Dai Tang
- Wei Ling Tang
- Wu Ji San
- Xiang Sha Yang Wei Tang
- Xiao Feng San
- Yue Ju Wan

**Contraindications:** do not prescribe Cang Zhu to patients
that present with concomitant deficiency heat patterns with
excess sweating

**Zoo Image:** a skunk with no eyes wearing a dry head band is lifting T weights
with arthritis in the leg while a blue bee buzzes around

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