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            Dr. Pan's Clinic of TCM


 

BAI ZHU ( TCM pharmacology and Modern Research )             summary by: David Arnold

Pharmaceutical name: Rhizoma Atractylodis

Latin Botanical name : Atractylodes Macrocephalae

 

 

Ingredients: (partial list):

 

·         atractylol, atractylon, juniper camphor, selina-4(15)-7(11)-dien-8-one, attractylenodide,  butenolide A and B, 8-b-ethoxy, lactones: atractylenolides II and III, Vitamin A, sesquiterpenelon, fructose, palmitic acid, ...

 

 

TCM Energetics: 

 

·         Enters Sp and St channels / organs

·         Bitter, Sweet, and Warm

 

 

Functions:

 

Traditional TCM:

·         tonifies qi

·         tonifies Sp

·         dries damp and promotes urination

·         consolidates exterior and stops sweat

·         calms fetus

 

Digestive:

·         protects liver

·         improves gall secretion

·         prevents stomach ulcer

·         improves peristalsis and regulates intestines

 

Immune System :

·         increases macrophage activity and reticuloendothelial system

·         increases white blood cells - lymphocytes, and IgE

·         anti-bacterial

 

Anti Cancer :

·         increases phagocytosis, lymphocyte transformation, rosette formation, and serum IgG,

·         essential oil of Bai Zhu has demonstrated an inhibitory action against esophageal cancer in vitro studies

 

Affects Heart and Blood Vessels :

·         lowers blood pressure by dilating blood vessels

 

Lowers Blood Sugar :

·         increases assimilation of glucose and lowers plasma glucose levels

 

Anti-coagulation of blood / Hematological Effects :

·         facilitates aggregation of platelets

·         decoction mildly elevated and significantly prolonged the prothrombin time in rats and humans (1TBS 1:20 solution 3X daily for 4 days – effect lasting for 10 days after administration ceased)

 

Adaptogenic / Endurance :

·         decoction given to mice 6g/kg – increased body weight and swimming performance

 

 

 

Urinary / Diuretic Effects :

·         animal and human experiments – demonstrated significant and prolonged diuretic effect

·         inhibits sodium re-absorption l/t increased diuresis

·         dosage 1-3g/kg = 2-6X increase in urinary output – sustained for 6-7 hours (sodium excretion was even greater)

·         does not seem to affect function of ADH

 

 

Potential Indications:

 

1.  Traditional TCM

  • Sp deficiency
  • Edema and Water Retention / Tan Yin
  • Spontaneous Sweats
  • Restless Fetus / Threatened Miscarraige

 

2.       Hepatic Disorders

  • Hardening of liver, liver cancer
  • esp those w/ Sp def and accumulation of dampness
  • for ascites d/t liver cirrhosis use 30-60g
  • for infectious hepatitis use 15-30g
  • for liver cancer use 60-100g

 

3.       Children Drooling

  • excess salivation in infants – decoction of bai zhu in sugar water

4.       Meniere’s Disease

  • for dizziness and vertigo - using formula w/ bai zhu, ze xie, and dry fried yi yi ren

(30g each) 

5.       Constipation (60-120 grams)

  • studies used w/ other herbs such as sheng di huang and sheng ma

6.       Diarrhea (5-15 grams) – most frequent dosage / indication

  • studies used w/ dried fired : shan yao, zao shu pi, and che qian zi

7.       Chronic Leg and Back Pain

  • d/t cold and damp – using decoction 2X daily for 2-3 days – good results (formula contained bai zhu 30g,chuan shan jia 6g, in 100 ml liquor. 

8.       Acute Infection of Intestine 

9.       Low White Blood Cell Count 

10.   Diabetes 

Toxicity: 

·         little toxicity - in rats 0.5g/kg may l/t mild lymphopenia and anemia

·         toxicity for injection (LD50)= 13.3g/kg 

Contraindications : 

·         use with extreme caution for any cases where yin deficiency and/or heat signs are present

( d/t warming and drying nature of this herb )

·         therefore, may not be advisable for many Diabetes cases, as dryness and heat signs are often present

References : 

  • Chinese Herbal Materia Medica , Bensky & Gamble, 1986 Eastland Press.
  • Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology, Chen & Chen, 2004 Art of Medicine Press.
  • http://alternative healing.org/baizhu.htm
  • http://www.cancerlynx.com/chinesedata.html

 

Last modified: 12/13/10