Synopsis

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

Atractylone is a sesquiterpene compound found in Atractylodes species, particularly Atractylodes macrocephala, a medicinal herb used widely in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Historically, preparations containing Atractylodes have been prescribed to treat various gastrointestinal complaints, including nausea and vomiting. The TCM theory posits that these herbs "strengthen the spleen" and "harmonize the stomach," concepts associated with improving digestive function and alleviating symptoms like nausea. While these traditional uses are well-documented in herbal medicine texts, direct clinical or preclinical studies investigating atractylone itself for antiemetic effects are limited. Some modern pharmacological research suggests that extracts from Atractylodes species may have gastroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects, which could theoretically contribute to relieving nausea and vomiting. However, evidence specifically isolating atractylone as the active antiemetic component is lacking, and most available data are based on traditional use and studies of crude extracts rather than purified atractylone. Therefore, the use of atractylone for nausea and vomiting is primarily justified by tradition, with a low but nonzero level of scientific investigation.

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