Background

Atractylodes is a plant. People use the root to make medicine.

Atractylodes is used for conditions such as obesity, indigestion, stomach ache, bloating, and many others, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Safety Safety definitions

When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if atractylodes is safe or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy: Atractylodes is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when used orally. In animals, it has caused death or harm in unborn babies. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if atractylodes is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Atractylodes may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others. If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking atractylodes.

Bleeding disorders: Atractylodes might slow blood clotting. In theory, atractylodes might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.

Surgery: Atractylodes might slow blood clotting. There is concern that it might cause extra bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using atractylodes at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Effectiveness

Dosing & administration

The appropriate dose of atractylodes depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for atractylodes. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

Hexobarbital

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Atractylodes might increase the effects of hexobarbital. Taking atractylodes along with hexobarbital might cause too much sleepiness.

Medications for estrogen sensitive cancers (Aromatase inhibitors)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Some types of cancer are affected by hormones in the body. Estrogen-sensitive cancers are cancers that are affected by estrogen levels in the body. Medications for estrogen sensitive cancers help decrease estrogen in the body. Atractylodes might also decrease estrogen in the body. Taking atractylodes along with medications for estrogen-sensitive cancers might decrease estrogen in the body too much.
Some medications for estrogen-sensitive cancers include aminoglutethimide (Cytadren), anastrozole (Arimidex), exemestane (Aromasin), letrozole (Femara), and others.

Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Atractylodes might slow blood clotting. Taking atractylodes along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.
Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, indomethacin (Indocin), ticlopidine (Ticlid), warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Atractylodes might slow blood clotting. Using other herbs and supplements that slow blood clotting along with atractylodes might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Some other herbs of this type include angelica, clove, danshen, garlic, ginger, Panax ginseng, and others.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.

Action

Chemicals in atractylodes might improve the function of the digestive tract and reduce pain and swelling (inflammation). Some chemicals might also prevent cancer cells from growing.