Cang zhu Rhizoma Atractylodis CANGSHU is the rhizome of ATRACTYLODES LANCEA (THUNB.) DC. or A. CHINENSIS ( DC.) KOIDZ., family COMPOSITAE. 3g Cangzhu powder is put into 5ml diethyl ether, shaken and soaked for 15 minutes and filtered. Take 2ml filtrate into evaporating utensil, add 1ml sulphuric acid solution (10%) which contains 5% paradimethylaminobenzaldehyde after diethyl ether evaporates, it will show rose red and then turns green after dried under 100oC for 5 minutes.

Property, taste, attributive meridian
Pungent and bitter in taste, mild in nature, and attribute to spleen, stomach, and liver channel.

Function and indications
Eliminate dampness and invigorate the spleen, expel the wind and dampness, improve acuity of vision. Indicated for dampness blocks the spleen and stomach, lassitude and drowsiness, feeling of stuffiness in chest and abdominal distention, poor appetite, vomiting and diarrhea, phlegm-retention, edema due to dampness; exterior syndrome with dampness, heave sensation and pain over the head and body; Bi-syndrome due to excessive dampness, heave and sour of extremities; night blindness.

Chemical components
Volatile oil 3.25%-6.92%.