What are the differences between Baishu and Cangshu?
The difference between Atractylodes Macrocephala and Atractylodes Lancea lies in that Atractylodes Macrocephala is mainly used for strengthening the spleen and replenishing qi, making it an essential medicine for spleen health. It is suitable for patients with spleen deficiency and dampness. Atractylodes Macrocephala is bitter, warm, and damp, making it a good medicine for spleen function. It is suitable for those with internal dampness obstruction and dampness symptoms. Atractylodes Macrocephala also has diuretic, antiperspirant, and fetus-calming effects. Atractylodes Lancea has the functions of promoting sweating to release the exterior, dispelling wind and removing dampness, and improving eyesight.
Differences between Atractylodes Macrocephala and Atractylodes Lancea:
1. Due to its pungent nature, Atractylodes Lancea is suitable for cases where dampness affects the spleen, especially when the dampness is severe, causing a sensation of spleen deficiency and impaired transportation functions. It is also suitable for cases where the nature is warm and moist, leading to impaired water metabolism. Additionally, Atractylodes Lancea is also suitable for treating dysfunction caused by dampness affecting the spleen.
2. Atractylodes Lancea has the effects of promoting sweating to release the exterior, dispelling wind and removing dampness, and improving eyesight. It is used to treat syndromes such as wind-cold with dampness, rheumatic arthralgia, night blindness, and dry eyes.
3. Atractylodes Macrocephala has a relatively gentle and mild nature, without being overly drying or stimulating. Therefore, it is suitable for patients with spleen deficiency, excessive dampness, poor spleen transportation function, and internal water retention. It can be used to treat spleen deficiency, abdominal distention, diarrhea, dizziness, edema, spontaneous sweating, and has the effects of strengthening the spleen and replenishing qi, dispelling dampness and promoting diuresis, and stopping sweating. It can also alleviate fetal movement instability.
