What is the difference between raw Atractylodes macrocephala and stir-fried Atractylodes macrocephala?

Atractylodes macrocephala is a very common and important herb. Although raw Atractylodes macrocephala and stir-fried Atractylodes macrocephala differ in processing methods, their general therapeutic directions are the same, so what are the differences between raw Atractylodes macrocephala and stir-fried Atractylodes macrocephala?

1. The difference between raw Atractylodes macrocephala and stir-fried Atractylodes macrocephala

Stir-fried Atractylodes macrocephala focuses on drying dampness, while raw Atractylodes macrocephala focuses on strengthening the spleen. In clinical application, stir-fried Atractylodes macrocephala can be used for systemic symptoms such as indigestion, abdominal bloating, spontaneous sweating due to exterior deficiency, and disharmony between the spleen and stomach, especially the fatigue and lack of strength caused by excessive dampness, which can be regulated and treated with stir-fried Atractylodes macrocephala. Raw Atractylodes macrocephala has more effects such as delaying aging, and can also help control blood sugar, blood lipids, and blood pressure, as well as have anticoagulant and antitumor effects. In clinical practice, by nourishing the spleen and stomach, it can enhance the body's vital qi, improve the body's immunity, and is beneficial for resisting disease and protecting the liver.

2. The main value of Atractylodes macrocephala

Atractylodes macrocephala is a commonly used and important bulk Chinese medicinal material, with functions such as tonifying the spleen and strengthening the stomach, drying dampness and promoting diuresis, stopping sweating, and preventing miscarriage. The rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala contains volatile oil, and the main components in the oil are atractylone, atractylol, atractylenolide, etc., which have certain therapeutic effects on liver cirrhosis with ascites, primary liver cancer, Meniere's syndrome, chronic low back pain, acute enteritis, and leukopenia. Atractylodes macrocephala is widely used. In addition to being used in medical prescriptions, it is also an important raw material for more than 40 kinds of Chinese patent medicine preparations.

3. The effects of Atractylodes macrocephala

1. Atractylodes macrocephala is bitter, sweet, and warm in nature. It enters the spleen and stomach meridians. It tonifies the spleen and replenishes qi, dries dampness and promotes diuresis, stops sweating, and prevents miscarriage. It is used for poor appetite due to spleen deficiency, abdominal distension and diarrhea, dizziness and palpitations due to phlegm-fluid retention, edema, spontaneous sweating, and restless fetal movement.

2. It tonifies the middle and dries dampness, quenches thirst and promotes fluid production, most benefits spleen essence, greatly nourishes stomach qi, descends turbid yin and promotes food intake, is good at stopping vomiting, raises clear yang and digests food and drink, and can treat diarrhea.

3. It mainly treats wind-cold-dampness bi syndrome with dead muscle, tetany and jaundice, stops sweating, eliminates heat, promotes digestion, and is made into a decoction or paste. Taken over a long period, it lightens the body and prolongs life, and prevents hunger.

4. Atractylodes macrocephala decoction and Sijunzi Tang have varying degrees of antibacterial effects on Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi A, Shigella flexneri, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, etc., but no bactericidal effect.

Raw Atractylodes macrocephala and stir-fried Atractylodes macrocephala differ slightly, but in most cases they can be substituted for each other, and their main uses are the same.