Evidence supporting the use of: Southern Tsangshu
For the health condition: Gas and Bloating
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Southern Tsangshu, also known as Atractylodes lancea (commonly called "Cang Zhu" in Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM), is traditionally used to address digestive complaints such as gas and bloating. In TCM, Southern Tsangshu is classified as an herb that "dries dampness" and "strengthens the spleen." According to TCM theory, symptoms like bloating and gas are often interpreted as signs of "dampness" or "spleen deficiency," both of which are believed to impair digestion and fluid metabolism. Atractylodes lancea is a key ingredient in many classic herbal formulas, such as Ping Wei San, specifically designed to treat such symptoms.
However, scientific validation for these uses remains limited. Some in vitro and animal studies have investigated the pharmacological actions of Atractylodes lancea, suggesting effects such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and mild gastrointestinal motility regulation. Despite this, robust clinical trials in humans specifically supporting its efficacy for gas and bloating are lacking. Thus, while Southern Tsangshu has a long-standing traditional use for these digestive complaints, scientific evidence is modest and not definitive. The rating of 2 reflects strong traditional backing but limited modern clinical research.
Other ingredients used for Gas and Bloating
Activated charcoalAllspice
alpha-galactosidase
amylase
apple
artichoke
bacillus coagulans
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium infantis
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
black pepper
bасора
chamomile
chen pi
cinnamon
coating
coconut milk
cucumber
turmeric
dandelion
fennel
fenugreek
fiber blend (proprietary)
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
gentian root
ginger
greek mountain tea
green banana
cellulase
horseradish
isomalto-oligosaccharide
quassia
lactobacillus gasseri
lemon
licorice root
lipase
lovage
mastic gum
microbial enzymes (proprietary)
mint
okra
oregano
pancreatin
parsley
pear
Peppermint
pineapple
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
butyric acid
psyllium
raspberry
rhubarb root
sage
schizonepeta
slippery elm bark
spearmint leaf
triphala
Wasabi
xylanase
bentonite
cascara sagrada
tangerine
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
capsicum
Indian bael
neem tree
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
commiphora
caesalpinia crista
fumaria parviflora
goldenrod
yarrow
bile salt
prickly ash
elecampane
flowering quince
dogwood
fern
sweet flag
morinda
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
birch
queen of the meadow
polyphenols
caraway
wintergreen
camphor oil
menthol oil
fungal enzymes blend (proprietary)
wood betony
paw paw
horehound
Sichuan pepper
Alginic acid
enzymes blend (proprietary)
cayenne pepper
geranium
Akebia
Apple Cider Vinegar
Actinidin
Agastache
Angelica
Acacia
Agrimony
Anamu
Amomum
Asafoetida
Ajuga
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Angostura
Arrowroot
Agrimonia pilosa
Antifoam agent
Bifidobacterium
Buttermilk
Blue Flag
Blackthorn
Bicarbonate
Bayleaf
Belleric myrobalan
Bran
Butea monosperma
Bitter Grass
Bael
boldo
black salt
Bifidobacterium animalis
Black Nightshade
Borassus Palm
Buddha's Hand
Borassus aethiopum
Bitter principals
Bacteria
banana
Belamcanda
Bergenia
Bottle gourd
Borneol
Cumin
Centaury
Chinese Silkvine
Cinnamomum
Carqueja
Chervil
coconut oil
Coriander
Centaurium erythraea
Cyathula
Carry Me Seed
Cajuput
Chlorophytum
Carvone
Cymbopogon Martini
Coca
Capers
Chanca Piedra
Campylandra fimbriata
Chenopodium
Colombo
Centipeda
Cubeb
Carob
Chirata
Cha de bugre
Carlina
Calamus
Cosmos
Costus
Castor Oil
Colocynth
cola nut
Clerodendrum indicum
Dianthus
Dimethylpolysiloxane
Dragonhead
Dill
Dolichos
Dichrostachys glomerata
Erodium cicutarium
English Horsemint
Enzyme Blend
Eupatorium
Embelia
Fiber
Fomes fomentarius
Frangula
Fernbush
Fleabane
False Calumba
Four leaved grass
Genipap
Gnaphalium
Gentian
Garlic
Gentianella alborosea
Glechoma hederacea
Grains of Paradise
Gardenia jasminoides
Gentiana calycosa
Glucofrangulin
Galangal
Guazuma ulmifolia
Heartsease
Homalomena
Helicteres isora
Hemicellulase
Horsemint
Jicama
Jalap
Javanese Long Pepper
Khella
Karaya Gum
Kefir
lemon balm
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lime
Large-leaf Gentian
Lilium polyphyllum
Litsea
Laggera pterodonta
Lophira lanceolata
Luffa
Lodhtree
Lycopodium
Lysimachia
Linalool
Mentha haplocalyx
Mountain Pepper
Mustard
Myrcene
Mace
Mountain mahogany
Mesquite
Morning Glory
Meadowsweet
Marigold
Nardostachys
Natsudaidai
Neral
Osha
Orris
Operculina turpethum
Oryza Sativa
Ovate Buchu
Parsnip
Phragmites
Piper chaba
Psacalium peltatum
Prepared Aconite Tuber
Pediococcus pentosaceus
Prunus
Probiotics
Peucedanum
Piper retrofractum
Polydimethylsiloxane
portulaca
Prickly Pear Cactus
Pimpinella
Potash
Palo Azul
Quince
Rue
Rockweed
Rose
Rhus coriaria
Rhamnus Nakaharai
Rhubarb
Spanish Needle
Sete sangrias
Sweet Annie
Snakeroot
Southern Tsangshu
Southernwood
Shen Qu
Slippery Elm
Sagebrush
Semiaquilegia
Savory
Sida cordifolia
Scirpus
Stachytarpheta cayennensis
Sweet Bay
Stone Root
Servicetree
Sassafras
Sword Bean
Sedanenolide
Thuja
Taraxacin
Tamaricaceae
Traveler's Joy
Tarragon
Tansy
Tiger Nut
Tulbaghia
Taka amylase
Tamarind
Teri Pod
Taraxol
Vinegar
Viburnum
Verbena
Violet
Vidanga
Wax Gourd
Water Pepper
Wulinshen
Weak Jumby Pepper
Winter Begonia
Winter Savory
Yerba buena
Yellow Nut Sedge
Yacon
Zingiberene
Zingerone
Other health conditions supported by Southern Tsangshu
Abdominal PainAnxiety
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Belching
Bladder Infection
Bleeding (external)
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Chest Pain
Chills
Circulation (poor)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Constipation (adults)
Cough (general)
Cuts
Debility
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Edema
Emotional Sensitivity
Endurance (lack of)
Energy (lack of)
Fever
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)
Gall Stones
Gas and Bloating