Evidence supporting the use of: Atractylodes
For the health condition: Backache
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Atractylodes, particularly Atractylodes macrocephala, is a well-known herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), often included in formulas intended to strengthen the spleen, dispel dampness, and tonify Qi. Its use for backache is not as direct or prominent as for digestive or metabolic complaints, but it does appear in some traditional herbal prescriptions for musculoskeletal pain, including backache. In TCM theory, back pain can be caused by deficiencies in the spleen and kidney, leading to poor nourishment of muscles and bones, or by the accumulation of dampness and stagnation. Atractylodes is sometimes used as part of multi-herb formulations to address these underlying factors, particularly when back pain is attributed to "dampness" or weakness in the body's energy systems. However, there is limited direct historical or scientific evidence specific to atractylodes as a sole agent for backache relief. Most references are indirect, relying on its role in broader TCM patterns rather than targeting back pain specifically.
Scientific studies on atractylodes have focused mainly on its anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and gastrointestinal effects. There is little to no clinical research directly supporting its efficacy for backache or musculoskeletal pain in modern biomedical literature. Therefore, while it is used traditionally as part of holistic formulas for systemic imbalances that may be related to back pain, the evidence is weak and largely based on traditional use rather than direct clinical validation.
Other ingredients used for Backache
ashwagandhabeta caryophyllene
black cumin
Indian frankincense
rice
bасора
cannabis sativa oil
capsaicinoids
citrus oil
collagen
cowage seed
turmeric
curcumin
devil's claw
ginger
gotu kola
heartwood
hemp oil
horseradish
Indian tinospora
jujube
kudzu
magnesium
milk
moringa
mustard seed
spruce
omega-3 fatty acids
plantain
quail egg
rhizome
rosemary
sage
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
almond fruit
vitamin D
vitamin D3
water
white willow
wild yam
sarsaparilla
yellow root
squawvine
gastrodia
atractylodes
papaya
shen-chu
capsicum
mugwort
nut grass
clerodendrum indicum
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
punarnava
paederia foetida
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
peony
lingusticum wallichii
prickly ash
morus
root tuber
silk tree
solomon's seal
siler root
amber
flowering quince
dioscorea
dodder
sweet flag
morinda
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
birch
queen of the meadow
purslane
wintergreen
menthol oil
aster root
gentiana macrophylla
wood betony
paw paw
abies spectabilis
herbal blend (proprietary)
indigo leaves
cayenne pepper
soursop
clematis
Aralia
akebia
Antler
Ardisia
Achyranthes
Anamu
Abrus
Alchornea
Albizia
Aconite
Ajuga
Anserina
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Alsonia scholaris
Actaea spicata
Agrimonia pilosa
Asteracea
Acetylsalicylic acid
Aspen
Abuta
Allium tuberosum
Alstonia macrophylla
Amor seco
Arani
Atractylone
Betony
Bermuda Grass
Blue Flag
Bryonia
Baliospermum
Blackthorn
Broussonetia
Bulnesia sarmientoi
Blepharis
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Boswellic Acid
Butea monosperma
Black galingale
Barleria
Big Quaking Grass
Bugbane
Butternut
Bogbean
Boswellia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Banyan
Black willow
Ba Ji Tian
Bee products
Barbary matrimony vine
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
Black root
Bupleurum
Bassia scoparia
Black Hellebore
Bergenia
Boerhavia diffusa
Borneol
Chinese Silkvine
Caryophyllene
Casearia esculenta
Cinnamomum
Clary sage
Chinese Mountain Ant
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Chymopapain
coconut oil
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Cynomorium
Capillary Artemisia
Cyathula
Curcuminoid
Carry Me Seed
Capsaicin
Cramp Bark
Chinese Pond Turtle
Chinese Raisintree
Chlorophytum
Chuchuhuasi
Cowherb
Curcumen
Centella asiatica
Coca
Campylandra fimbriata
Centipeda
Corktree
Curcuma
cypress
Cornus
Cannabidiol
Corydalis
Costus
Collinsonia
Carthamus
Colocynth
Celosia
Clerodendrum indicum
Culvers Root
Deer Root
Dragonhead
Devil's Club
David's Milkberry
Dwarf Nettle
Dichrostachys glomerata
Dipsacus
Elk antler
Elephant's Head
Little ironweed
Mustard
Mallow
Poppy
Spikenard
Sumac
Vervain
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by atractylodes
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Appetite (deficient)
Asthma
Backache
Belching
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Chills
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Edema
Fatigue
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Indigestion
Inflammation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Lymph Nodes or Glands (swollen)
Menopause
Migraine
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Nausea and Vomiting
Pain (general remedies for)
Sore Throat
Wounds and Sores
Products containing atractylodes
Nature's Sunshine Anti-Gas (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Anti-Gas TCM
Nature's Sunshine Blood Stimulator TCM
Nature's Sunshine Chinese TCM Negative Pack
Nature's Sunshine Hepatic System
Nature's Sunshine KB-C
Nature's Sunshine KB-C TCM Concentrate
Nature's Sunshine Kidney Activator TCM
Nature's Sunshine Kidney Activator (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Liver Balance TCM
Nature's Sunshine Lung Support (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Lung Support TCM
Nature's Sunshine Respiratory System (30 Day Program)
Nature's Sunshine Spleen Activator (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Spleen Activator TCM
Nature's Sunshine Tiao He Cleanse
Nature's Sunshine Trigger Immune (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Trigger Immune TCM
Nature's Sunshine Urinary System