Bran-roasted Atractylodes is a processed form of Atractylodes macrocephala, prepared by stir-frying raw Atractylodes slices with wheat bran. After being roasted with wheat bran, the drying nature of Atractylodes is reduced, while its spleen-tonifying effects are enhanced. It is primarily used to treat symptoms such as spleen deficiency with poor appetite, epigastric and abdominal distension, and fatigue and weakness; it is also suitable for treating fetal restlessness caused by spleen deficiency.
Bran-Fried Atractylodes
Bran-roasted Atractylodes is a processed form of Atractylodes macrocephala, prepared by stir-frying raw Atractylodes slices with wheat bran. After being roasted with wheat bran, the drying nature of Atractylodes is reduced, while its spleen-tonifying effects are enhanced. It is primarily used to treat symptoms such as spleen deficiency with poor appetite, epigastric and abdominal distension, and fatigue and weakness; it is also suitable for treating fetal restlessness caused by spleen deficiency.
Chinese Name : 麸炒白术
Authentic Producing Area : Wheat-bran-roasted Atractylodes is a processed form of Atractylodes. Atractylodes is primarily produced in Zhejiang and Anhui
Nature, Flavor & Meridian Tropism : It has a bitter and sweet taste and a warm nature; it enters the Spleen and Stomach meridians
Benefits & Efficacy
Benefits
Wheat-roasted Atractylodes has the effects of strengthening the spleen, tonifying qi, and stabilizing the fetus.
Indications
Wheat-Fried Atractylodes is primarily used to treat poor appetite, epigastric and abdominal distension, fatigue and weakness caused by spleen deficiency, as well as fetal restlessness due to spleen deficiency.
Usage and Dosage
Clinically, the most common method of use for Wheat-Fried Atractylodes is to decoct it into a herbal decoction; the standard dosage is 6–12 g. Since each patient’s condition and constitution vary, the specific dosage of Wheat-Fried Atractylodes may differ from person to person; patients should strictly adhere to the dosage prescribed by their doctor.
Precautions
1. If you need to take other medications while using wheat-fried Atractylodes macrocephala, consult your doctor or pharmacist to avoid potential drug interactions. 2. While using wheat-fried Atractylodes macrocephala, avoid consuming foods that are excessively raw, cold, greasy, or spicy, as these may affect the treatment’s efficacy. 3. Closely monitor your body’s reactions while using wheat-fried Atractylodes macrocephala. If you experience any discomfort, seek medical attention promptly. 4. If Glutinous-Roasted Atractylodes appears to have deteriorated, become moldy, or developed an unusual odor, do not use it to avoid health risks.
Chemical Constituents
Atractylodes macrocephala contains volatile oils, lactones, polysaccharides, and other components. After being stir-fried with bran, the content of its chemical constituents undergoes certain changes. 1. Volatile oils: Volatile oils are an important medicinal component of Atractylodes macrocephala. Clinical studies have reported that while the composition of volatile oils remains largely consistent after stir-frying with bran, the content of the primary component, atractylone, tends to decrease. 2. Lactones: Clinical experiments have found that the content of lactones in Atractylodes macrocephala follows certain patterns of change before and after processing. After processing, the levels of Atractyloside I, II, and III all increase to varying degrees, with wheat bran-fried Atractylodes macrocephala exhibiting the highest levels of Atractyloside I and III. 3. Polysaccharides: Polysaccharides are one of the main components of Atractylodes macrocephala, accounting for the highest proportion by content. Studies have shown that the polysaccharide content of Atractylodes macrocephala increases after being stir-fried with wheat bran.
Applications
Medicinal Identification
Wheat-bran-fried Atractylodes must be distinguished from raw Atractylodes and earth-fried Atractylodes.
Raw Atractylodes, earth-fried Atractylodes, and wheat-bran-fried Atractylodes are all processed forms of Atractylodes. Due to differences in processing methods, their therapeutic effects have distinct emphases. Raw Atractylodes primarily dries dampness, strengthens the spleen, promotes diuresis, and reduces swelling; it is commonly used to treat conditions such as phlegm-fluid retention, edema, and rheumatic arthralgia.Earth-roasted Atractylodes, by drawing on the earth’s energy to assist the spleen, is more effective at tonifying the spleen and stopping diarrhea; it is frequently used to treat conditions such as spleen deficiency with poor appetite and loose stools. Bran-roasted Atractylodes moderates the drying nature of the herb; by incorporating bran into the formula, it enhances the effects of harmonizing the middle burner and strengthening the spleen. It is commonly used for conditions such as spleen deficiency with poor appetite, epigastric and abdominal distension, and fatigue and weakness, and is also suitable for fetal restlessness caused by spleen deficiency.
Related Medicines
Examples include Ginseng Spleen-Tonifying Pills, Fragrant Sand-Trifoliate Orange-Atractylodes Pills, and Harmonizing the Middle and Regulating the Spleen Pills.
Notes
Patients requiring treatment with Chinese herbal medicine should first consult a licensed Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) hospital, where a TCM practitioner will conduct a professional pattern differentiation and prescribe an herbal formula.
Processing & Preparation
Harvesting & Processing
Harvest in winter when the lower leaves have turned yellow and withered and the upper leaves have become brittle. If harvested too early, dry matter has not yet fully accumulated, the rhizome is tender, resulting in low yield, poor quality, and a low dry-weight yield; if harvested too late, new shoots will sprout, and the rhizome’s nutrients will be depleted, affecting the quality of the medicinal material. On a sunny day, dig up the plants, shake off the soil, then transport them back for drying in an oven or under the sun, and finally remove the fibrous roots.
Processing Methods
Remove impurities from the preliminarily processed Atractylodes, wash it thoroughly, moisten it completely, cut it into thick slices, and dry it. Next, sprinkle honey-fried wheat bran into a hot wok; when it begins to smoke, add the Atractylodes slices and stir-fry continuously until the surface turns yellowish-brown and a roasted aroma is released. Remove from the wok and sift out the honey-fried wheat bran.Use 10 kg of honey-fried wheat bran for every 100 kg of Atractylodes macrocephala slices.
Storage Methods
Store in a cool, dry place to prevent insect infestation.
Crude Drug Identification
Properties of Crude Drugs
Irregular, thick lumps, 3–13 cm long and 1.5–7 cm in diameter. The surface is grayish-yellow or grayish-brown, with tuberculate protrusions, intermittent longitudinal wrinkles and grooves, and traces of fibrous roots; the apex bears remnants of the stem base and bud scars.The texture is hard and difficult to break; the fracture surface is uneven, yellowish-white to pale brown, with scattered brownish-yellow punctate oil glands; when dried, the fracture surface is horn-like, darker in color, or may have fissures. It has a fresh, fragrant aroma; the taste is sweet with a slight pungency; when chewed, it is slightly sticky.
Properties of Processed Slices
It is cut into irregular, thick slices with a yellowish-brown surface and occasional scorched spots. It has a slight roasted aroma.
Botanical Information
Botanical Classification
A plant of the genus Atractylodes in the Asteraceae family, known as White Atractylodes.
Morphological Characteristics
A perennial herb. The rhizome is thick and tuberous. The stem is 50–80 cm tall, branched toward the top, and lignified at the base. The lower stem leaves have long petioles; the leaf blades are 3-lobed or pinnately 5-deeply lobed, with lobes ranging from ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate, tapering to a long acuminate tip, gradually narrowing at the base, and bearing long or short spiny margins, hairs, or appressed fine spiny teeth; the apical lobe is larger;The petioles of the upper stem leaves become progressively shorter; the leaves are narrowly lanceolate, either lobed or entire. Capitate inflorescences are solitary at the branch tips; the involucral bracts are arranged in 5–8 layers, membranous and imbricate, with slight pubescence on the outer surface; the outermost layer consists of short, ovate bracts with blunt apices, while the innermost layer comprises multiple rows of bracts with blunt, elongated apices;Flowers are numerous, all tubular, with purplish-red corollas. Achenes are oblong-elliptic, densely covered with yellowish-white tomentum, and slightly flattened. Flowering occurs from September to October; fruiting from October to December.
Distribution Area
Atractylodes macrocephala is native to the Zhejiang and Anhui regions; wild populations are on the verge of extinction, and most currently available plants are cultivated. It can be cultivated in most parts of the country.
Growth Habits
1. Temperature: Relatively cold-tolerant, able to withstand short-term temperatures as low as -10°C. The optimal temperature for growth of the aboveground parts is 20–25°C, while the optimal temperature for growth of the underground rhizomes is 26–28°C. Seeds begin to germinate at temperatures above 15°C; the optimal germination temperature is 18–21°C. After emergence, seedlings can tolerate short-term frost.During the growing season, when the daily average temperature is below 30°C, the plant’s growth rate gradually accelerates as the temperature rises; when the temperature exceeds 30°C, the growth of the aboveground parts is inhibited. 2. Light: It prefers full sun, but providing appropriate shade during the hot months of July and August is beneficial for plant growth. 3. Moisture: It prefers moist conditions but is sensitive to both drought and waterlogging. Seed germination requires a significant amount of moisture.Generally, germination begins only when the water absorption reaches 3–4 times the seed’s weight. Atractylodes macrocephala has relatively strict moisture requirements during its growth period; growth is optimal when soil moisture content is between 30% and 50% and relative air humidity is between 75% and 80%. 4. Soil: It is not particularly demanding regarding soil type and can grow in slightly acidic or slightly alkaline sandy loam or clay loam soils; however, the quality of Atractylodes macrocephala varies by growing region.
Propagation Methods
Propagation is carried out using seeds, either through seedling cultivation and transplanting or direct seeding in the spring. Direct seeding in the spring is most commonly used in commercial production.
Cultivation Techniques
1. Seed Selection and Harvesting
Select vigorous plants with short stems, large leaves, few branches, large flower buds, and no signs of disease or pest damage as seed-bearing plants. Harvest mature seeds in early to mid-November. Seed collection should be done on a sunny day after the dew has dried. Harvesting on rainy days or when dew is still present can cause the seeds to rot or sprout prematurely, affecting seed quality.After threshing and sun-drying the seeds, winnow away the fuzz and shriveled seeds, then store them in a cool, well-ventilated, shaded area for future use. Be careful not to expose the seeds to prolonged sun exposure, as this may reduce the germination rate. Seeds from the previous year are generally not used.
2. Seed Treatment
Seeds for production should be selected based on their glossy color, plump grains, and uniform size.Soak the selected seeds in warm water (25–30°C) for 12–24 hours, then treat them with a 500-fold dilution of 50% carbendazim for 30 minutes. Remove the seeds and place them in a damp cloth bag indoors, rinsing them with warm water once daily. Sow the seeds once the radicle begins to emerge.
3. Sowing Time
The sowing period varies slightly depending on local climatic conditions. In southern regions, late March to early April is optimal, while in northern regions, late April is recommended. Sowing too early increases the risk of damage from late frosts; sowing too late, however, results in higher temperatures and a shorter suitable growth period, leading to poor seedling vigor. Seedlings sown too late are more susceptible to pests, diseases, and weeds during the summer, resulting in lower medicinal yield.
4. Sowing Methods
There are three methods: row sowing, hole sowing, and broadcast sowing.
(1) Row Seeding: On prepared raised beds, dig furrows with a row spacing of 15–20 cm and a depth of 3–5 cm, with a sowing width of 7–9 cm. Ensure the bottom of the furrow is level. Spread the seeds evenly along the furrow, cover them with a layer of wood ash or plant ash just enough to bury the seeds, then apply cake fertilizer and superphosphate. Cover with soil until the bed surface is level, and lightly tamp the soil.
(2) Hole Seeding: Dig holes on the ridges with a plant spacing of 5 cm and a row spacing of 15–20 cm. The holes should be 3–5 cm deep. Plant about 3 seeds per hole, cover with wood ash or fire ash, apply cake fertilizer and superphosphate, and then cover with fine soil until the ridge is level.
(3) Broadcast Seeding: Spread the seeds evenly over the bed surface, cover with wood ash or fire ash and cake fertilizer, then cover with fine soil to a depth of about 3 cm, and finally cover with straw to retain moisture. Use 5–8 kg of seeds per mu.
Pest and Disease Control
1. Diseases and Their Control
(1) Damping-off: This disease causes significant damage under low-temperature, overcast, and rainy conditions in early spring. It is particularly severe in continuous cropping systems, with an infection rate of 60%–90%. Control measures include rotating crops with grasses for at least 3 years;select sandy loam soil, avoid raising seedlings in infected soil, and disinfect the soil with 1–2 kg of 50% carbendazim per mu before sowing or transplanting; treat seeds with 0.5% carbendazim by weight before sowing; and after emergence, spray with a 600–800-fold dilution of 50% mancozeb or 50% thiophanate-methyl.
(2) Leaf Spot: Symptoms begin to appear in late April, with peak incidence occurring from June to August; the disease is severe during the rainy season, with infection rates reaching 45%–60%. Control measures include thoroughly cleaning the field after harvest and centrally disposing of diseased plants, plant residues, and fallen leaves; before sowing, soak seeds for 3 minutes in a 1,000-fold dilution of 50% methyl thiophanate or a 500-fold dilution of 50% mancozeb;At the onset of the disease, spray with a 1:1:200 Bordeaux mixture or a 600-fold dilution of 50% carbendazim, once every 10 days for 3–4 consecutive applications.
(3) White Silk Disease: This disease typically occurs in late April, with peak incidence from June to August. High temperatures and heavy rainfall facilitate the spread of the disease, with infection rates reaching 35%–60%.Control measures include strengthening field management, maintaining appropriate planting density, and practicing crop rotation with grasses; select disease-free seeds for planting, soak them in a 1,000-fold dilution of 50% Thiram for 3–5 minutes, let them air dry before sowing, and treat the soil with 1.5 kg of 25% Ridomil granules per mu prior to planting;Upon detection, remove and burn diseased plants, disinfect the affected holes with lime, and irrigate the affected areas with a 500–1,000-fold dilution of 50% carbendazim or 50% thiophanate-methyl.
(4) Root Rot: Symptoms generally begin to appear in mid- to late April, with peak incidence occurring from June to August; the disease gradually subsides after August. Control measures include implementing proper crop rotation; selecting high, dry sites with well-drained sandy loam soil for cultivation; strengthening field management to avoid damaging the root system during cultivation; and spraying a 50% carbendazim or 70% methyl thiophanate solution diluted 800 times 1–2 times at the onset of the disease.
(5) Rust: Primarily affects the leaves. Symptoms generally appear in early May, with peak incidence occurring from late May to late June; the disease is prone to outbreaks during periods of heavy rainfall and high humidity. Control measures include timely drainage during the rainy season to reduce humidity and minimize disease incidence; at the onset of the disease, spray a 300-fold dilution of 97% sodium thiobate or a 500-fold dilution of 65% zinc mancozeb once every 7–10 days for 2–3 consecutive applications.
2. Pests and Their Control
(1) Aphis longicornis on Atractylodes: Outbreaks begin in March, with severe damage occurring from April to June. After June, as temperatures rise and rainfall increases, aphid populations decline, though they increase slightly again by August.Control measures include weeding to reduce overwintering pests; during the outbreak period, spray with a 1,500-fold dilution of 40% malathion emulsifiable concentrate, a 1,500-fold dilution of 10% imidacloprid, or a 1,500-fold dilution of 3% acetamiprid once every 7 days, with a limit of one application per pesticide.
(2) Atractylodes Seed Moth: Severe outbreaks occur from August to November. Control measures include implementing water-land crop rotation and breeding pest-resistant varieties. Before adult moths lay eggs, apply a protective spray during the early flowering stage of Atractylodes. Use a 50% DDVP emulsion diluted 800 times or a 40% malathion emulsion diluted 1,500–2,000 times, spraying once every 7–10 days for 3–4 consecutive applications.