Evidence supporting the use of: Atractylodes
For the health condition: Belching

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Synopsis

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

Atractylodes (primarily Atractylodes macrocephala) is widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to address digestive complaints, including belching. In TCM theory, atractylodes is considered to strengthen the spleen and resolve dampness, which is believed to underlie symptoms like bloating, poor appetite, and belching. The classical herbal formula Ping Wei San includes atractylodes as a key ingredient and is traditionally prescribed for symptoms such as distention, fullness, and frequent belching attributed to "dampness obstructing the middle burner." While this use is well-documented in historical texts and current TCM practice, scientific validation for atractylodes specifically targeting belching is limited. Some modern pharmacological studies suggest that atractylodes extracts may have mild prokinetic and gastroprotective effects, but robust clinical trials focusing on belching are lacking. The traditional use, therefore, provides the primary basis for its application in this context, with historical records and ongoing empirical use supporting its role. However, the lack of targeted clinical evidence for belching specifically limits the scientific strength of this indication. Overall, the evidence supporting atractylodes for belching is rooted in tradition rather than rigorous modern research.

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