Ingredient Spotlight

Atractylodes / Bai Zhu

Why we love it

Atractylodes is a versatile herb cherished for its ability to support energy balance, ease digestion, and promote overall well-being during the menstrual cycle.

Traditionally Supports:

  • Energy and vitality

  • Digestive well-being

  • Fluid balance

  • Stress support

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How It's Used

In Chinese herbal traditions, Atractylodes is prized for its ability to support the spleen and promote the smooth flow of energy (Qi). It is commonly used to help maintain balance by addressing dampness and supporting the body's natural water metabolism.

In Western herbal practices, Atractylodes is appreciated for its versatile properties, including its role in promoting balance and supporting overall vitality. Its uses range from encouraging natural resilience to supporting the body’s ability to manage everyday stress.

Fun Fact: A member of the sunflower family, Atractylodes boasts flowers with a star-like design. However, it’s the plant’s root that has been treasured for centuries in traditional herbal practices for its wide-ranging benefits.

How we use it

“Atractylodes is so commonly used and well-regarded that its importance is commonly compared to that of ginseng. It is frequently used for anything from digestion, to stress, to immunity.”

- Lulu Ge, co-founder

What the research says

In a clinical study conducted on mice, Atractylodes exhibited anti-inflammatory agents in acute and chronic inflammation.
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Both Atracyltlenolide I and Atractylenolide III are components of Bai Zhu and inhibit TNF-alpha and Nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophages.
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In a mouse model of PCOS (Polycystic ovarian syndrome), Atractylodes’s methanol extract regulates gonadal hormone production and alleviates hyperandrogenism.
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The extract of Atractylodes inhibits pregnant uterine muscle contraction by enhancing the calcium activated potassium currents, suggesting that Atractylodes can help maintain the balance of uterine contractions during premature delivery.
Read Article

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