The source is from the rhizome of Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. or A. chinensis (DC.) koidz., family Compositae. The former is mainly produced in Jiangsu, Hubei, and Henan provinces, etc., that produced in Maoshan of Jiangsu Province having the best quality. The latter is mainly produced in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Shanxi and Liaoning provinces, etc.. The medicinal material is dug and collected in spring and autumn, dried in the sun, steeped thoroughly in water or water in which rice has been washed and then cut into pieces. The stir-baked one is used.

Medicinal Properties: Pungent and bitter in flavor, warm in nature and attributive to the spleen and stomach meridians.
Actions: Eliminate dampness and invigorate the spleen, expel wind, damp and cold.

Application
1. For dampness-retention syndrome involving the middle-energizer with distention and pain in the chest and abdomen, poor appetite, nausea and vomiting, it is usually combined with Houpo (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis), and Jupi (Pericarpium Citri Tangerinae), such as Pingwei San (Powder).
2. For Bi-syndrome of wind-dampness type, especially suitable for Bi-syndrome with domination of dampness marked by general soreness, heaviness, distension and pain, it is usually combined with Duhuo (Radix Angelicae Pubescentis) , Qinjiao (Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae), etc.; for Bi-syndrome of dampness-heat type, combined with Shigao (Gypsum Fibrosum ), Zhimu (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae), etc., such as Baihu Jia Cangzhu Tang (Decoction).
3. For flaccidity-syndrome of dampness-heat type, leucorrhea due to turbid dampness, damp ulcer, and eczema, etc., it is usually combined with Huangbai (Cortex Phellodendri), such as Ermiao San (Powder).
4. For affection of exogenous wind-cold-dampness, it is usually combined with Baizhi (Radix Angelicae Dahuricae), Xixin (Herba Asari), etc..
In addition, it can improve the eyesight and it can be used for night blindness.

Usage and Dosage:
3 - 9 g is used in decoction for oral use.

Notes:
It is not suitable for yin deficiency generating interior heat and perspiration due to loose superficies.