Evidence supporting the use of: Atractylone
For the health condition: Energy (lack of)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Atractylone is a major bioactive compound found in Atractylodes macrocephala, a key herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Historically, this herb has been used to tonify the "Spleen Qi," which in TCM theory is closely linked to energy, vitality, and digestive strength. The traditional use of Atractylodes rhizome includes formulas intended to address symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and poor appetite—conditions interpreted as manifestations of Qi deficiency. While this traditional framework does not directly align with modern biomedical definitions of energy metabolism or fatigue syndromes, it has provided the basis for the inclusion of atractylone-containing herbs in various energy-supporting herbal formulations for centuries.
Scientific validation specifically for atractylone itself in the context of increasing human energy or directly treating fatigue is limited. Some preclinical studies have reported that atractylone may possess anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and gastrointestinal protective effects, which could conceivably contribute to an improved sense of well-being or vitality. However, clinical trials specifically assessing atractylone or Atractylodes extracts for the treatment of low energy or fatigue in humans are largely lacking. The evidence therefore predominantly rests on traditional use, with a modest (rated 2/5) level of support based on limited scientific plausibility rather than direct clinical proof.
Other ingredients used for Energy (lack of)
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione7-Keto-DHEA
Acai berry
Acetyl L-carnitine
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
adenosine 5-triphosphate disodium (ATP)
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Agastache
Akebia
Algae
Algal protein
Almond fruit
Alpha D-ribofuranose
Alpha polylactate
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
alpinia galangal
amino acids
Amor seco
anamu
animal protein
antler
Aralia
Ardisia
Areca
arginine creatine
Arginine malate
Arginine silicate
ashwagandha
aspartic acid
atractylone
ba ji tian
banana
baobab
bee pollen
Beef liver
berry
beta phenethylalamine
beta-alanine
beta-hydroxybutyrate
biotin
black ginger
black pepper
blackthorn
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
borneol
bovine protein
bасора
caffeine
capsaicinoids
catecholamine
chia seed
Chlorophytum
chuchuhuasi
Cinnamomum
cistanche
coca
coconut
coconut milk
coconut oil
Codonopsis
Coenzyme A
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
coffee fruit
cola nut
commiphora
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
curcumen
Cynomorium
D-Ribose
deer root
deer velvet
Dendrobium
dextrates
dextrose
dragonhead
ecdysterone
egg
Egg protein
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
eleuthero
elk antler
ephedrine
Erodium cicutarium
Ethyl-Alpha-Guanido-Methyl-Ethanoate
Eurycoma Longifolia
eurycomanone
folate
fungus
gamma-butyrobetaine
garden cress
ginseng
glucose
GMS-ribose
greens blend (proprietary)
guarana
Guaranine
guayusa
Herb Robert
Higenamine
Ilex
jiaogulan
jungli-bean
ketone salts
ketosterones
kola nut
L-alanyl-L-glutamine
l-carnitine
L-glutamine
L-glycine
L-leucine
l-tyrosine
lemongrass
lipids
maca
macaenes
macamides
magnesium
malic acid
maral root
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
Methylliberine
Microbial enzymes (proprietary)
Milk
Milk Protein
Ming Dang Shen
Mushroom
Nettle
Orchis latifolia
ornithine L-aspartic acid
Oroxylum indicum
Osha
oxaloacetic acid
pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
paraxanthine
peanut
Petiveria
Phytoecdysteroid
Plankton
pollen
Polygonatum
protein
Pseudostellaria
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
pyrroloquinoline quinone
Rhodiola
ribose
robusta coffee
rosemary
Rubia yunnanensis
Rubiaceae
Safed musli
sage
Sarivan
shiitake mushroom
Sichuan Lovage
Sida cordifolia
siler root
Southern Tsangshu
Sphaeranthus indicus
spirulina
succinic acid
Sulbutiamine
suma
sweet flag
Synephrine
Tea
Teacrine
Terminalia
Theacrine
Theobromine
Thylakoid
Tongkat ali
trace minerals
Trichilia catigua
Trichopus zeylanicus
vegetable blend (proprietary)
velvet bean
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
Wheat
wheat germ
Whey protein
Wulinshen
Yerba mate
Yuzu
Zedoary
Zinc
Zingiberene
Other health conditions supported by atractylone
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Bronchitis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Chills
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (lymphatic)
Congestion (sinus)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Edema
Energy (lack of)
Fatigue
Fever
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Hepatitis
Indigestion
Inflammation
Insomnia
Liver Detoxification
Lungs (fluid in)
Menopause
Migraine
Nausea and Vomiting
Nephritis
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Pain (general remedies for)
