Southern Tsangshu (also known as Cang Zhu or Atractylodes lancea) is a medicinal herb widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Its primary traditional indications involve strengthening the spleen, drying dampness, and dispelling wind-dampness. In the context of bladder infection (urinary tract infection), Southern Tsangshu is sometimes included in herbal formulas aimed at resolving dampness and promoting urination, which, according to TCM theory, helps clear "damp-heat" from the lower burner (pelvic region) where the bladder is located. However, there is little to no direct evidence in TCM classical texts or pharmacopeias that Southern Tsangshu alone was historically used as a main remedy for bladder infections. Its inclusion is usually as a supporting herb within broader formulas targeting dampness rather than infection directly.

Regarding modern research, there is very limited scientific data supporting the use of Southern Tsangshu for treating bladder infections. Some in vitro studies suggest antimicrobial properties of Atractylodes lancea extracts, but these findings are preliminary and not specific to urinary pathogens or clinical outcomes in humans. Therefore, the use of Southern Tsangshu for bladder infection is justified primarily by traditional theory and practice, and the evidence—either historical or scientific—is weak, meriting a low rating.