White Atractylodes Rhizome
Overview
White atractylodes is one of the most widely used spleen-tonifying herbs in Korean tradition, central to formulas that strengthen digestion. The Donguibogam notes that ancient texts did not distinguish it from its relative, black atractylodes (蒼朮/Changchul) — the two were separated into 'white' and 'black' only in later practice.
In the Donguibogam
寶鑑
Traditional uses recorded in the Donguibogam
- Strengthens the spleen, fortifies the stomach
- Dries dampness, stops diarrhea
- Aids digestion
- Stops spontaneous sweating
Traditional applications recorded in the classical text
- Digestive weakness with loose stools
- Bloating after meals
- Spontaneous sweating
- Fatigue with poor appetite
Traditional preparation
A core ingredient of Sagunja-tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) alongside ginseng, poria, 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.
Herbs Recorded Together in the Text
This summarizes formulas and records of incompatibility and dietary avoidance in the Donguibogam. It is a record of the classical text — not a recommendation, prescription, or medical advice. Amounts in the text (don, bun, etc.) are historical records, not modern recommended doses.
Recorded together in a formulaRecorded as to be avoided
Formulas in which it is recorded
Sagunja-tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction)四君子湯Ginseng人蔘Poria白茯苓White atractylodes白朮Licorice甘草
補眞氣虛弱, 治氣短, 氣少. 人參(去蘆)ㆍ白茯苓ㆍ白朮ㆍ甘草(灸) 各一錢二分半
Supplements true qi that is weak, and treats shortness and scarcity of qi. Ginseng (reed removed), white poria, white atractylodes and roasted licorice, each 1 don 2.5 bun.
Source: Naegyeong-pyeon 《局方》
人參, 補肺扶脾, 白朮, 健脾燥濕, 茯苓, 降氣滲濕, 甘草, 補胃和中
Ginseng supplements the lung and supports the spleen; white atractylodes strengthens the spleen and dries dampness; poria lowers qi and seeps dampness; licorice supplements the stomach and harmonizes the middle.
方氏曰
Yukgunja-tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction)六君子湯Banha半夏White atractylodes白朮Tangerine peel陳皮Poria白茯苓Ginseng人蔘Licorice甘草
治氣虛痰盛. 半夏ㆍ白朮 各一錢半, 陳皮ㆍ白茯苓ㆍ人參 各一錢, 甘草(灸) 五分
Treats qi deficiency with abundant phlegm. Banha and white atractylodes 1.5 don each; tangerine peel, white poria and ginseng 1 don each; roasted licorice 5 bun.
Source: Naegyeong-pyeon 《正傳》
Bojung-ikgi-tang補中益氣湯Astragalus黃芪Ginseng人蔘White atractylodes白朮Licorice甘草Dang-gui (body)當歸身Tangerine peel陳皮Cimicifuga升麻Bupleurum柴胡
治勞役太甚, 或飮食失節, 身熱而煩, 自汗倦怠. 黃芪 一錢半, 人參ㆍ白朮ㆍ甘草 各一錢, 當歸身ㆍ陳皮 各五分, 升麻ㆍ柴胡 各三分
Treats excessive labor or irregular eating with body heat, vexation, spontaneous sweating and fatigue. Astragalus 1.5 don; ginseng, white atractylodes and licorice 1 don each; dang-gui body and tangerine peel 5 bun each; cimicifuga and bupleurum 3 bun each.
Source: Japbyeong-pyeon 《東垣》
上喘氣短, 損其元氣, 用人參以補之
For panting and shortness of breath that damage original qi, ginseng is used to supplement it.
《東垣》
Palmul-tang (Eight Ingredient Decoction)八物湯Ginseng人蔘White atractylodes白朮Poria白茯苓Licorice甘草Prepared rehmannia熟地黃White peony白芍藥Cnidium (Cheongung)川芎Dang-gui當歸
治虛勞, 氣血兩虛, 能調和陰陽. 人參ㆍ白朮ㆍ白茯苓ㆍ甘草ㆍ熟地黃ㆍ白芍藥ㆍ川芎ㆍ當歸 各一錢二分
Treats deficiency-taxation with deficiency of both qi and blood, and harmonizes yin and yang. Ginseng, white atractylodes, white poria, licorice, prepared rehmannia, white peony, cnidium and dang-gui, 1 don 2 bun each.
Source: Japbyeong-pyeon 《易老》
Foods to avoid while taking it
Foods to avoid while taking (服藥食忌)White Atractylodes Rhizome白朮Peach桃Plum李Sparrow雀Clam蛤Coriander胡荽Garlic大蒜Herring靑魚Salted fish鮓
有朮, 勿食桃, 李, 雀, 蛤, 胡荽, 大蒜, 靑魚, 鮓
When atractylodes (朮) is included, do not eat peach, plum, sparrow, clam, coriander, garlic, herring or salted fish. (The character 朮 in the text covers both white and Cang atractylodes.)
Source: Tangaek-pyeon · 服藥食忌
Cautions
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between white and black atractylodes?
The Donguibogam notes that early materia medica did not distinguish the two; the 'white' (Baekchul) and 'black' (Changchul) classification emerged only in later practice, with white atractylodes generally considered better for tonifying and black for drying dampness.
Why is it paired with ginseng, poria, and licorice?
This combination, Sagunja-tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction), is the foundational qi-tonifying formula in Korean and East Asian herbal tradition, addressing spleen-qi deficiency at its root.
Sources
- 『동의보감』 탕액편, 허준, 1613 (원문) — 한문 원문
- 한의학고전DB (mediclassics.kr) — 원문 및 국역 자료 참조