Atractylodes macrocephala
Atractylodes macrocephala, commonly known as Atractylodes or White Atractylodes, is a vital medicinal herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Renowned for its potent rhizomes, it is primarily used to strengthen the spleen, regulate digestion, and dispel dampness. This aromatic plant plays a crucial role in promoting overall digestive health.
- Scientific name: Atractylodes macrocephala
- Family: Asteraceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Atractylodes.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Atractylodes | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Atractylodes macrocephala, is recognized by various common names across different regions and languages. In Vietnamese, it is referred to as Bạch truật, while in Cantonese, it is called 白術. In Chinese, the plant is commonly known as 白术 (both in traditional and simplified forms, zh and zh-hans). Furthermore, in Japanese, it is identified as オオバナオケラ.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| vi | Bạch truật | Wikidata |
| zh | 白术 | Wikidata |
| ja | オオバナオケラ | Wikidata |
| yue | 白術 | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 白术 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 白术 | Wikidata |
| ko | 큰꽃삽주 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 白朮 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 白朮 | Wikidata |
| es | Atractylis lancea var. chinensis | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is widely distributed across several regions in East and Southeast Asia. Within China, it can be found specifically in the South-Central and Southeast territories. Its presence extends into Eastern Asia, where it grows in both Japan and Korea. Additionally, the species is located within the Indo-China region, specifically in Vietnam. These various locations highlight its broad geographical range across the continent.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Japan | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Korea | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Atractylodes macrocephaloides, is primarily valued for its medicinal properties derived from its underground structures. The most significant part used in traditional medicine is the rhizomes, which are harvested and processed to extract active compounds. Whether referred to as a single rhizome or studied in the context of its complex rhizoma structure, these components serve as the main source of therapeutic value. While the plant develops various roots to anchor itself and absorb nutrients, it is specifically the dried rhizoma that is most commonly utilized in herbal formulations to treat digestive and respiratory ailments.- Total parts
- 15
- Scientific sources
- 25
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| rhizomes | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| rhizome | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Rhizoma | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| roots | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rhizoma | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| standard medicinal parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oils | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dried rhizome | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Atractylodes macrocephala has 83 reported phytochemicals identified across 114 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include atractylenolide III, atractylenolide I, atractylenolide II, flavonoids, sesquiterpenes.
- Total chemicals
- 83
- Scientific sources
- 114
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| atractylenolide III | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
| atractylenolide I | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| atractylenolide II | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| sesquiterpenes | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| AMP | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ara | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gal | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Glc | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Man | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Atractylodes macrocephala has 11 reported activities identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antioxidant, Antiperspirant, Antitumor, Digestive.
- Total activities
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 12
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiperspirant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Digestive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diuretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gastroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Laxative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Atractylodes macrocephala has 42 reported medicinal uses identified across 52 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, Alzheimer's disease, anorexia, cerebrovascular disorders, dyspepsia.
- Total uses
- 42
- Scientific sources
- 52
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Alzheimer's disease | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anorexia | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cerebrovascular disorders | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dyspepsia | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastrointestinal diseases | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| immunity | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ulcerative colitis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Alzheimer disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |