禀初夏之气以生，味苦气温，从火化也。得土之冲气，益之以甘，昭土德也，故
无毒。其气芳烈，其味甘浓，其性纯阳，较之于苍术补多燥减矣。浙术即名云术，由粪
力滋溉，肥大易油。敛术即俗名狗头术，瘦小燥白，得土气甚充，反胜云术，宜囫囵米
泔水浸一宿切片晒干，炒深黄。如入滋阴药，人乳拌炒；如入止泻药，东壁土拌炒；
如入膨胀药，麸皮拌炒。
白术，暖脾益津，除湿益燥，腱脾进食，消谷补中，除胃虚停饮，理心下急痛，
补劳倦内伤，祛周身湿痹，驱胃脘食积痰涎，皮毛间风，腰脐间血，手足懒举贪眠。
在气主气，在血主血，中气不足，脾胃诸虚之圣药也。同枳实能消症，同黄芩能安胎。
有汗则止，无汗则发，喘症哮症忌用。
主治（痘疹合参） 健脾止泻，补虚敛汗，发泡浆溢者多加。然在浓时用之，则湿
润之气不行，而痘难成浆矣。并热盛喘嗽，音哑烦渴，热毒烦躁者，并禁之。惟泻泄虚
渴者，并水泡多，或胖甚不痂者，及中气大虚者甚宜。
按∶白术，甘温得中土之冲气，补脾胃之第一品也。术赞云∶味重金浆，芳逾玉
液，百邪外御，六腑内充，察草木之盛，益于己者，并不及术之多功也。每遇暴病尺
虚，中气欲脱之症，用此馨香冲和之味，托住中气，真矣奇功，不亚人参。试思古人理
中术附二汤，咸仗为君，补虚续绝诸方，必兼佐用，但不无少偏于燥性，久服宁免偏
胜。未若人参纯得阳和之气，可久服单服也。奈俗医往往概嫌其滞，一坐未读本草，
一坐炮制未精耳，但其间有动气筑筑，及阴虚燥渴，便闭者禁之。
白术禀受初夏之气而生，味道苦、性温，属于火化之品。它得自土气的冲和之气，又增添了甘味，彰显了土的德行，所以没有毒性。它的气味芳香猛烈，味道甘甜浓郁，性质纯阳，与苍术相比，补益作用更多而燥性较少。浙江产的白术又名云术，因为用粪肥浇灌滋养，长得肥大且容易出油。收敛术（即俗名狗头术）瘦小、干燥且色白，得土气非常充足，反而胜过云术，适宜用整粒米泔水浸泡一夜后切片晒干，炒至深黄色。如果用于滋阴药物中，用人乳拌炒；如果用于止泻药物中，用东壁土拌炒；如果用于治疗膨胀的药物中，用麸皮拌炒。
白术能温暖脾胃、增益津液，除湿并增加燥性，健脾促进食欲，消化谷物、补益中焦，消除胃虚导致的停饮，调理心下急痛，补益劳倦内伤，祛除周身湿痹，驱除胃脘的食积痰涎以及皮毛间的风邪、腰脐间的血瘀、手足懒动和嗜睡等症状。在气分主要调节气，在血分主要调节血，是中气不足、脾胃各种虚证的圣药。与枳实同用能消除症瘕，与黄芩同用能安胎。有汗时能止汗，无汗时能发汗，喘证和哮证忌用。
主治（痘疹合参）：健脾止泻，补虚敛汗，对于痘疹发泡浆液溢出者多加使用。然而在痘疹浓稠期使用它，会导致湿润之气不能运行，从而使痘疹难以成浆。并且伴有热盛喘咳、声音嘶哑、烦躁口渴、热毒烦躁者，均禁止使用。只有腹泻泄利、虚渴、水泡较多，或者形体肥胖甚多而不结痂者，以及中气大虚者，才非常适合使用。
按语：白术味甘性温，得中土冲和之气，是补益脾胃的第一上品。《术赞》说：味道珍贵如金浆，芳香超过玉液，外可抵御百邪，内可充实六腑，观察草木的繁盛，对自己有益的，都不及白术的功效多。每当遇到突发疾病导致尺脉虚弱、中气欲脱的症状，用这种馨香冲和的味道，托住中气，真是奇妙的功效，不亚于人参。试想古人理中汤和白术附子汤等方剂，都倚仗它作为君药，补虚续绝的各种方剂，也必然兼佐使用，只是不免稍微偏于燥性，长期服用岂能避免偏胜？不如人参纯粹得阳和之气，可以长期单独服用。无奈世俗医生往往一概嫌弃它滞涩，大概是因为没读过本草，炮制也不精通罢了。但是其中有动气悸动不安，以及阴虚燥渴、便秘者禁用。
Bai Zhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) is born by inheriting the qi of early summer; its taste is bitter and its nature is warm, transforming into fire. It obtains the harmonious qi of earth, augmented by sweetness, manifesting the virtue of earth; therefore, it is non-toxic. Its aroma is pungent and intense, its taste is sweet and rich, and its nature is purely yang. Compared with Cang Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), Bai Zhu has more tonifying effects and less dryness. The Bai Zhu from Zhejiang is also named Yun Shu (Cloud Atractylodes); due to nourishment by manure, it grows large and becomes oily easily. Lian Shu (Converging Atractylodes), commonly known as Dog-Head Atractylodes, is thin, small, dry, and white; it obtains a very abundant earth qi and actually surpasses Yun Shu. It is suitable to be soaked whole in rice wash water overnight, sliced, dried, and stir-fried until deep yellow. If used in yin-nourishing prescriptions, stir-fry with human milk; if used in anti-diarrheal prescriptions, stir-fry with soil from the east wall; if used in distension-treating prescriptions, stir-fry with bran.
Bai Zhu warms the spleen and benefits fluids, removes dampness and increases dryness, strengthens the spleen and promotes appetite, digests grains and tonifies the middle jiao, eliminates retained fluid due to stomach deficiency, regulates acute pain in the epigastrium, tonifies internal injury from fatigue and overwork, expels systemic bi-syndrome caused by dampness, drives out food retention and phlegm-fluids in the stomach region, wind between skin and hair, blood stasis between waist and umbilicus, lethargy of hands and feet, and excessive sleepiness. In the qi level, it governs qi; in the blood level, it governs blood. It is the sacred medicine for insufficient middle qi and various deficiencies of the spleen and stomach. Combined with Zhi Shi (Immature Bitter Orange), it can eliminate zheng masses (fixed abdominal masses); combined with Huang Qin (Scutellariae Radix), it can calm the fetus. When there is sweating, it stops sweat; when there is no sweating, it induces sweating. It is contraindicated in asthma and wheezing syndromes.
Main indications (Integrating analysis with smallpox/rash diseases): Strengthens the spleen and stops diarrhea, tonifies deficiency and consolidates sweating. Increase dosage when pustules overflow with fluid. However, using it during the stage where rash fluids are thick will prevent the movement of moistening qi, making it difficult for the rash to form pus. Furthermore, it is strictly prohibited in cases accompanied by severe heat with wheezing and cough, hoarseness, irritability, thirst, and irritability due to heat toxicity. It is only highly suitable for cases of diarrhea, deficiency-thirst, numerous blisters, or obesity with failure to scab, as well as for those with severe deficiency of middle qi.
Commentary: Bai Zhu is sweet and warm, obtaining the harmonious qi of central earth, and is the premier product for tonifying the spleen and stomach. The "Ode to Atractylodes" states: Its taste is precious like golden nectar, its fragrance exceeds jade liquid; externally it defends against hundred evils, internally it fills the six fu-organs. Observing the prosperity of herbs, none benefit oneself as much as Bai Zhu's many merits. Whenever encountering sudden illness with weak chi pulse and symptoms of impending collapse of middle qi, using this fragrant and harmonious substance to support the middle qi yields truly miraculous results, second only to Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma). Consider that ancient formulas such as Lizhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) and Baizhu Fuzi Tang (Atractylodes and Aconite Decoction) all rely on it as the sovereign herb, and various formulas for tonifying deficiency and restoring continuity must use it as an assistant. However, it inevitably leans slightly towards dryness; long-term use may avoid bias? No, unlike Ren Shen which purely inherits yang-harmonious qi and can be taken long-term alone. Unfortunately, common physicians often generally dislike its cloying nature, likely because they have not read the Materia Medica or lack proficiency in processing methods. Nevertheless, it is contraindicated in cases with moving qi and palpitations, as well as yin-deficiency with dry mouth/thirst and constipation.