Praised as a superior herb in the Shennong Ben Cao Jing, Atractylodes macrocephala (Bai Zhu) is characterized by its sweet and bitter taste and warm nature. It is renowned for tonifying the spleen and boosting Qi, thereby drying dampness and strengthening the spleen. Since the spleen is viewed as the source of vital energy and the regulator of water metabolism, conditions such as a lackluster complexion or the accumulation of dark Qi on the face are attributed to spleen deficiencies. Historically, Bai Zhu and its counterpart Cang Zhu were not distinguished until after the Song Dynasty—when Cang Zhu came to be seen as more bitter and pungent, while Bai Zhu is recognized for its gentle, slightly sweet nature. Though it dries dampness, Bai Zhu does so in a balanced way akin to nourishing the earth, naturally supporting the spleen.