The rhizome contains volatile oil: 2-carene, 1，3，4，5，6，7-hexahydro-2，5，5-trimethyl-2H-2,4α-ethanonaphthalene, β-maalinene, chamigrene, caryophyllene, elemene, humulene, selinene, patchoulene, 1，9-aristolodiene, guaiol, elemol, atractylone, seli-na-4(14),7(11)-diene-8-one, atractylodin, hinesol, β-eudesmol^[1，2], α-bisabolol, hinesol ^[8], atractyoldinol, acetylα-tractylodinol^[10];

furlade-hyde^[3], 3β-acetoxyatractylone, 3β-hydroxyatracetylone^[4], butenoliede B^[5], tryptophane, 3，5-dimethoxy-4-glucosyloxyphenylallylalcohol, 2-（1，4α-dimethyl-3-glucosyloy-2-oxo-2,3,4,4α5,6,7,8-octahydronaphthalen-7-yl）-isopropanolglucoside, 2-[8-methyl-2,8,9-trihydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-bicyclo[5.3.0]decan-7-yl]isopropanogllucoside,2-[8-methyl-2,8-dihydroxy-9-oxo-2-hydroxymethylbicyclo[5,3,0]decan-7-yl]isopropanolglucoside,2-（1，4α-dimethyl-2,3-dihydroxydec-ahydroxynaphthalen-7-yl)isopropanolglucoside^[6];

It also contains inorganicelements^[7].

1. Effect on Digestive System: Atractylodes chinensis extract can inhibit constriction of guinea pigs or rat ileal induced by K⁺ ,Ga⁺ and Carbachol[1-3]. TDEYA extract show protect fountion on experimental stomach ulcer rat model[4].

2. Hepatoprotection: Its extract show prophylaxis effect on carbon tetrachloride induced rat liver cell damge[4]. Atractylon can resistance liver DNA damage and toxic by tert-butyl peroxides[5].

3. Hypoglycemic: Atractyloside show hypoglycemic activity throuogh inhibit pasteur effect. Atractan A, B and C can cut down blood sugar level on diabetes rats induced by alloxan[6]. Water extract can enhance utilize powder ability on diabetes rats induced by streptozotocin[7].

4. Antimicrobial: Atractylodes chinensis show bacteriostasis on staphylococcus aureus, tubercle bacillus, escherichia coli, dried leaves bacterium, aeruginosus bacillus, Saccharomyces albicans, Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton gypseum and so on. Atractyylodes chinensis extract show bacteriostasis on resistance bacillus dysenteriae[8].

5. Diuresis: β-eudesmol machilol show diuresis activity through inhibit Na⁺ -K⁺ -ATP enzyme[1].

6. Anti-Anoxia: Acetone extract show anti-hypoxia effect on KCN induced mice model. And the β-eudesmol may the activity compound[1].

7. Anti-inflammatory Action: Acetic ether extract show non-specificity anti-inflammatory action. In addition, Selina-4(14), 7(11)-dien-8-one, atraactylenolideⅠ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ show anti-inflammatory action also[1].

8.Effect on Nervous System: Volatile oil show sedation at low dose and then respiratory paralysis at large dose on rana. β-eudesmol can block acetylcholine receptor[1].

9. Antiarrythmic: N-butanol extractant can agonistic rat arrhythmia induced by myocardial ischemia, ischemia-reperfusion, aconitine, barium chloride and ouabain[1].

1. Prevent colds: Cangzhu fufang, Cangzhu (Atractylodes  Rhizoma ),to observe 679 cases, results in a cold person accounted for only 7%or so .

2.Treatment of conjunctival xerosis: Cangzhu (Atractylodes  Rhizoma ) powder 3 g, children reduction. Treat nyctalopia conjunctival xerosis42 cases of patients, for 2 ~ 3 d symptoms was disappeared. The early treatmentof conjunctival drying syndrome patients 35 patients for 3 ~ 4 d; Cornealdrying period of eight people, take medicine  for 4 ~ 5 d, self-conscious symptom andconjunctival damage all disappear.

3. Treatment of rickets:(1) Cangzhu (Atractylodes  Rhizoma ) 500 g and Jidanpifen 56g were made to Cangzhutangjiang 560ml, for treatmentof 1006 cases of infantile rickets. Results: 541 cases were markedly effective(53.8%);340 cases were effective , accounting for 33.7%; 125 cases were invalid,accounting for 12.4%; The total effective rate was 87.5%。