Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Atractylone is a sesquiterpene compound found in Atractylodes species, especially Atractylodes macrocephala (Bai Zhu), which is a traditional herb in Chinese medicine. Historically, Atractylodes rhizome has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to tonify the Spleen Qi and treat symptoms such as poor appetite, fatigue, and digestive disturbances attributed to "Spleen deficiency." The use of Atractylone itself as a pure compound for appetite stimulation is not a direct practice, but the herb containing it is a classic remedy for deficient appetite in TCM. The evidence supporting this use is based mainly on centuries of traditional practice and the inclusion of Atractylodes rhizome in numerous classical formulas for digestive weakness and poor appetite.

Modern pharmacological research on Atractylone is limited and mostly preclinical. Some animal studies suggest that extracts of Atractylodes macrocephala may have gastroprotective effects and can modulate gastrointestinal motility, which could theoretically improve appetite. However, there is insufficient high-quality clinical evidence or rigorous mechanistic studies specifically validating Atractylone’s effect on appetite in humans. Thus, while the traditional use of Atractylodes for appetite loss is well-documented, the scientific evidence for Atractylone’s efficacy in this context remains preliminary.

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