Rhizome of Atractylodes lancea
Irregularly moniliform or nodular-cylindrical, somewhat curved, occasionally branched, 3~10cm long, 1~2cm diameter. Externally grayish-brown, wrinkled, transversely twisted-lined, with remains of rootless, and stem scars or remains of stems attached at apex. Texture compact, fracture yellowish-white or grayish-white, scattered with many orange-yellow or brownish-red oil cavities and crystallized out as white fine needle crystals after exposing for a long time. Odor, characteristic; taste, sweetish, pungent and bitter.
Rhizome of Atractylodes chinensis
Knotty-lumpy or nodular-cylindrical, 4~9cm long, 1~4cm in diameter. Externally blackish-brown, yellowish-brown when peeled. Texture lax, fracture scattered with yellow oil cavities. Odor weakly aromatic; taste, pungent and bitter.

Epigastric distension and diarrhea; edema, particularly edema of the legs with lameness; rheumatic arthralgia; common cold; night blindness.

1.Resolving dampness to invigorate the Spleen.

To treat syndrome of retention of dampness of middle Jiao, marked by dysfunction of the spleen due to invasion by dampness, fullness and distension of epigastrium and abdomen or diarrhea, turbid and sticky tongue coating, it is often used with Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis. Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae. It can be used to treat syndrome of retension of phlegm or edema due to invasion of the spleen by predominant dampness according to the specific syndromes.

2. Dispelling wind-dampness.

It can be used in treating arthralgia marked by general soreness or painful joints due to invasion by wind and dampness or by wine and cold. In treating arthralgia due to invasion by wind, cold and dampness, it can be used with Rhizoma seu Radix Notopterygii, Radix Ledebouriellae, Ramulus Cinnamomi, Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae, etc.; in treating hot arthralgia, with Cortex Phellodendri, Radix Cyathulae Officinalis, etc.

3.Dispersing cold evil from the superficies.

To treat those with cold due to pathogenic wind and cold accompanied with headache and anhidrosis, it can be used with Rhizoma Ligustici, Radix Angelicae Dahuricae, etc.

Besides the drug has the effects of removing nebula, brightening eyes and improving vision, therefore it can be used in treating the internal or external nebula, glaucoma, night blindness, etc. It can be used singly or with the liver of pig, or black sesame.