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Photograph of Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. (Black Atractylodes Rhizome)
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Black Atractylodes Rhizome

Black Atractylodes Rhizome (창출, 蒼朮) is recorded in the Donguibogam as a dampness-drying herb. Its nature is warm and its taste bitter, pungent, associated with the Spleen, Stomach meridians. Traditional uses recorded in the text include dries dampness powerfully, induces sweating, releases the exterior, stops diarrhea and vomiting from dampness. Caution: Stronger and drier than white atractylodes; traditionally avoided in yin-deficiency with dryness or spontaneous sweating, since its potent drying action can worsen these patterns.

창출 (蒼朮) · Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC.
Dampness-drying herb Warm Bitter, pungent Spleen, Stomach
NatureWarm
TasteBitter, pungent
MeridiansSpleen, Stomach
Part usedRhizome
FamilyAsteraceae
CategoryDampness-drying herb
Find by concern: DiarrheaEdema

Overview

Black atractylodes is white atractylodes's rugged sibling — the Donguibogam itself notes that early materia medica did not distinguish white from black, and that later practice split them by strength: black atractylodes is the more vigorous, drying herb for heavy, damp-laden conditions across the whole body.

In the Donguibogam

東醫
寶鑑
性溫, 味苦辛, 無毒. 治上中下濕疾. 寬中發汗, 破窠囊痰飮, 痃癖氣塊, 山嵐瘴氣. 治風寒濕痺, 療霍亂吐瀉不止, 除水腫脹滿.
Source: Donguibogam, Tangaek-pyeon — recorded as a sub-entry (DH) appended to the White Atractylodes (Baekchul) entry
TranslationIts nature is warm, its taste bitter and pungent, and it is non-toxic. It treats damp illness of the upper, middle, and lower body. It relaxes the middle and induces sweating, breaks up encysted phlegm-fluid and abdominal masses, and treats mountain-mist miasma. It treats wind-cold-damp painful obstruction, treats unremitting cholera-like vomiting and diarrhea, and removes edema and distension.

Traditional uses recorded in the Donguibogam

  • Dries dampness powerfully
  • Induces sweating, releases the exterior
  • Stops diarrhea and vomiting from dampness
  • Reduces edema and distension

Traditional applications recorded in the classical text

  • Diarrhea with dampness
  • Edema and bloating
  • Joint pain from wind-damp
  • Heaviness and lethargy in damp climates

Traditional preparation

A core ingredient of Pyeongwi-san (Stomach-Calming Powder) alongside tangerine peel and licorice.

This describes traditional preparation recorded in the classics, not a recommendation for use today. DonguiHub does not provide dosage guidance — consult a qualified professional before using any herb.

Cautions

Caution: Stronger and drier than white atractylodes; traditionally avoided in yin-deficiency with dryness or spontaneous sweating, since its potent drying action can worsen these patterns. Consult a professional.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between white and black atractylodes?

The Donguibogam notes early texts did not distinguish them; later practice separated white (milder, more tonifying) from black (stronger, more drying) — both trace to the same genus but are now treated as distinct medicinal species.

What is Pyeongwi-san?

A classical four-herb formula built around black atractylodes for damp-stagnation in the digestive system — bloating, diarrhea, and heaviness — pairing its strong drying action with tangerine peel and licorice.

Sources

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