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In the furnace, Atractylodes and smoke of Euphorbia intertwine. As they’re haphazardly roasted, smoke soars. How can we wish for bats to fill the sky, to eradicate the poisonous clan and bring peace to the people?
《驅蚊歌》明 蒲松齡
The poem indicates that people in ancient times employed Atractylodes to repel mosquitoes. The subsequent lines suggest that bats could be used to consume mosquitoes. This might explain why, aside from their homophonic meanings, bats are considered another auspicious symbol in the East.
According to the fourth edition of the Taiwan Pharmacopoeia of Chinese Medicine, Atractylodes (http://en.whatsintcm.com/dt_articles/%e8%92%bc%e6%9c%ae/) refers to the dried rhizome of the Asteraceae plants Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz. or Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. Typically, based on the production location, the product is divided into Southern Atractylodes and Northern Atractylodes. Southern Atractylodes is primarily produced in Jiangsu, Hubei, and Henan provinces, while that produced in Maoshan Mountain, Jurong County, Jiangsu Province, is specifically called “Maoshan Atractylodes” and is of the highest quality and most renowned. Northern Atractylodes is mainly grown in North China, Northwest China, and Northeast China. Due to the climate, Taiwan is not suitable for its cultivation. Atractylodes has other names such as “Xian Shu,” “Jing Cang Shu,” “Chi Shu,” “Shan Ji,” “Shan Jing,” “Shan Ci Er Cai,” and “Qiang Tou Cai.” The rhizomes are usually harvested in spring and autumn, cleaned of soil, dried, and then sliced and stored for later use. Originally named simply “Shu,” before the Han and Wei dynasties, there was no distinction between Atractylodes and White Atractylodes in herbal literature. The name first appeared in the book “Erya.” In the Southern and Northern Dynasties, Tao Hongjing’s “Commentary on the Classic of Materia Medica” recorded: “There are two types of Shu: White Atractylodes has large, hairy leaves and branched stems, sweet roots with little oil, and is suitable for making pills and powders; Red Atractylodes has small, non-branched leaves, small roots, a bitter taste, and is rich in oil, suitable for decocting.” This marked the beginning of the distinction between the two. In the Song Dynasty, Zhang Yuansu’s “Pearl Pouch” recorded: “Red Atractylodes can strengthen the stomach and spleen, and no other herb can remove dampness as effectively.” This demonstrates its remarkable efficacy in drying dampness.
Maoshan Atractylodes is primarily produced in Maoshan Mountain and typically appears as irregular bead-like or nodular cylindrical shapes. The surface is grayish-brown, the texture is firm and easily broken, and the cross-section is mostly flat with a unique aroma. Sliced for medicinal use, the cross-section is usually grayish-white with a grayish-brown periphery. High-quality pieces are large, hard, with a fragrant aroma and visible cinnabar dots on the cross-section. These cinnabar dots are actually oil cells and their secretions, scattered and red like cinnabar, serving as a crucial quality indicator for Atractylodes. If stored for a long time, Atractylodes may develop white, needle-like crystals known as “frost,” which are a mixture of atractylodin and β-eudesmol. Due to their white, hair-like appearance, they are also called “white hair.” This characteristic is relatively rare in the market today.
The rhizome of Northern Atractylodes primarily presents as a nodular cylindrical shape and is generally larger in size compared to Southern Atractylodes. The outer surface is predominantly black-brown, which turns yellowish-brown when the outer skin is removed. Compared to Maoshan Atractylodes, its texture is lighter and more loose, and the cross-section exhibits a light yellowish-white color with scattered yellowish-brown oil spots. Generally, it does not produce white needle-like crystals upon storage, and its aroma is milder than Southern Atractylodes.
Another easily confused item found in the market is Guan Cang Shu, also from the Asteraceae family. Its surface is a deep green color. It has a lighter texture and typically breaks with an uneven, fibrous fracture. It has a unique odor. It is primarily used as Cang Shu in Northeast China, but in Japan and Korea, it is often used as Bai Shu.
Depending on the clinical purpose, there are different processing methods. Common ones include parched Atractylodes with bran and scorched Atractylodes. For parched Atractylodes with bran, a wok is heated over high heat, and then bran is evenly sprinkled into the wok. Once smoke appears, clean slices of Atractylodes are added and quickly stirred-fried until the surface turns deep yellow. After removing and sieving out the burnt bran, the slices are allowed to cool and set aside. For scorched Atractylodes, slices of Atractylodes are placed in a roasting vessel and heated over medium heat until brown. A small amount of water is then sprayed over them, followed by low-heat drying until completely dry. After removing and sieving out any debris, the slices are allowed to cool and set aside. Another method is to process Atractylodes with rice water. Clean slices of Atractylodes are mixed with an appropriate amount of rice water and allowed to sit until the rice water is completely absorbed. The slices are then fried over low heat until the surface turns yellow, and then allowed to cool.
Atractylodes is one of the most commonly used Chinese herbal medicines. It is often used to dry dampness, invigorate the spleen, and harmonize the middle jiao, playing a crucial role in the prescription Pingwei San. Therefore, the Taiwan Pharmacopoeia has set detailed limits for sulfur dioxide and heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead. As a result, the public can use it with confidence.
Image provided by Professor Zhang Xianzhe in ‘Authentic Medicinal Material Pictorial’ link