Atractaloydes
1:4 Spagyric Tincture of Atractylodes macrocephala, WITH Plant stone of Atractaloydes imbued within (see pictures).
Planetary Rulers: Jupiter and Mars
 
Physical Properties*:
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) this increasingly popular herb is known as “The First Herb of Invigorating Qi and Strengthening Spleen.” Qi is the energy the body obtains from all that it digests and inhales, thus this herb is apt for people who tend to feeling undernourished, or people that eat sufficiently but do not notice an improvement in energy despite eating healthy foods in a consistent and sufficient way. In TCM the Spleen is the parts of the digestive tract that ‘transform’ and ‘transport’ food, with the spleen having the role of sending nutrients up to the arms, heart, lungs and head. In the digestive tract Atractaloydes relieves bloating, indigestion, diarrhoea, distention, GI weakness and reduces gastric emptying and secretion (this is a useful property for those who have an excess of digestive fire). It prevents the release of inflammatory compounds that disturb intestinal movements, this property, in combination with its ability to regulate digestive secretion further add to its absorption regulating ability – whilst also making a useful herb in regulating IBS. So the herb can be useful for those who are digesting too quickly, but it can also can also increase the signalling power in the large intestine, thus enabling more regular bowel movements for those who experience a lack of bowel movements (sluggish digestion). Atractaloydes is used also for calming a restless fetus, preventing miscarriage, fighting certain types of ‘C’, improving depth of sleep, toning the immune system, it strengthens the muscles and builds energy.
 
Emotional/Spiritual Properties:
Welcome to the temple, says the old Kung Fu master Bai Zhu (TCM’s name for Atractalodydes), his greeting is formal, yet there is a cheeky upturn to one side of his smile. This master herb has a gift for seeing ones areas of weakness, bringing ones attention there, be it a physical, emotional, spiritual weakness, or all three combined. As much as we have been sold this notion of a quick fix in the modern world, this ancient plant reminds us that this escapist hope is often a delusion, so with it’s assimilation increasing properties we begin to apply ourselves for the long haul, and find in the process that this is deeply rewarding, and actually enjoyable. This enjoyment being the cheeky upturn at the end of his smile.
This herb bequeaths to us helps us to take control of our lives, it increases our capacity to be self-disciplined, and creates a keenness of knowing that helps us invest our energy into purpose aligned ways of being. Consider using atractaloydes if you are feeling listless, dampened by self-doubt, unmotivated, jaded in a nonchalant way, and/or apathetic. Bai Zhu is not a herb that encourages free roaming imagination that bounds happily into the future as much as it is a herb that gathers in the experiences of one’s life thus far, distils them into gems of wisdom, helps one weigh up the option and move with conviction from there.

Contraindications:
-May cause a dry mouth and dry stool in certain people, and if used to an excess.
 
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