Rhizome of Largehead Atractylodes Classic Formulas … Natural Herb Library

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Strengthens Spleen qi and dries dampness ... Bai Zhu is a core herb for poor appetite, loose stool, fatigue, abdominal distension, and dampness burdening the middle burner.
Promotes water metabolism and reduces edema ... it is especially useful when Spleen weakness allows dampness and swelling to accumulate.
Stabilizes the exterior and stops spontaneous sweating ... classic use also extends to restless fetus patterns and weak protective qi that cannot hold the surface.

Shen Ling Bai Zhu San ... foundational Spleen-tonifying formula for chronic loose stool, poor appetite, and damp-related weakness.
Si Jun Zi Tang and related qi-tonic formulas ... Bai Zhu supports the middle burner and helps prevent tonics from becoming too cloying.
Yu Ping Feng San ... classic use when weak protective qi leads to spontaneous sweating and poor resistance.

Traditional herbology describes Bai Zhu as bitter, sweet, and warm, entering the Spleen and Stomach to tonify qi, dry dampness, stop sweating, and calm the fetus.
Its longstanding importance comes from doing two jobs at once ... rebuilding weak digestion while also draining the dampness that weakness creates.