Atractylodes macrocephala
| Atractylodes macrocephala | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 2' |
| Width: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Atractylodes macrocephala (common name: bai zhu)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and plant them out into their permanent positions in the following spring or early summer.
Cultivation: Succeeds in any well-drained soil in sun or partial shade[1].
This species is probably hardy in most of Britain, it tolerates temperatures down to at least -15°c[1].
Widely cultivated in China for its use as a medicinal herb[1][2].
This species is dioecious. Both male and female plants need to be grown if seed is required[2].
Range: E. Asia - China, Japan and Korea.
Habitat: Pastures and waste ground[1]. Grassland and forests at elevations of 600 - 2800 metres[2].
Medicinal: Bai Zhu is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine[1]. The root is a bitter-sweet tonic herb that acts mainly upon the digestive system and strengthens the spleen[1][3].
The root is antibacterial, diuretic, hypoglycaemic, sedative, stomachic and tonic[4][1]. It is used in the treatment of poor appetite, dyspepsia, abdominal distension, chronic diarrhoea, oedema and spontaneous sweating[4]. It is often used in conjunction with other herbs such as Codonopsis tangshen and Glycyrrhiza uralensis[1]. Combined with Baical skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) it is used to prevent miscarriage[3]. The roots are harvested in the autumn and baked for use in tonics[1].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Early Fall
Flower Type: Dioecious
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Flora of China. 1994.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Yeung, Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, 1985.