Rhizoma Atractylodis

NaturalWOODS & MOSSESwoody · earthy · rich

HeartPyramid

3/5Strength

—Tenacity

3Origins

Specimen

Rhizoma Atractylodis perfume ingredient — Heart

Atractylodes lancea

Definition

Earthy-woody, camphorous, with a TCM pharmacy mustiness. The dried rhizome of Atractylodes — medicinal, grounding, specifically Chinese in character.

Atractylodes, Bai Zhu, Cangzhu

Type: Ingredient
Olfactive family: Woods
Subfamily: Dry woods
Cluster: Earthy woods
Source: wood
Chemical class: complex natural (essential oil)

Instruments

Pyramid

TTop

HHeart

BBase

3/5Strength

Medium

odour strength

Producing countries

China Japan Korea

Scent

Woody-earthy, camphorous, dusty-dry. Like opening a drawer in a TCM pharmacy — dried root slices, medicinal warmth, the particular mustiness of herbs stored in wooden cabinets. Austere, grounding, and culturally specific.

In PREMIEREPEAU

DISCOVERY SET7 × 2 ml →EXTRAIT DE PARFUMThe seven extraits →

Terroir & Maturity

The Full Story

Rhizoma Atractylodis refers to the dried rhizomes of Atractylodes species (A. lancea, A. chinensis) used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Closely related to the cangzhu entry, this term emphasizes the pharmaceutical/material form rather than the plant.

The scent profile is the same: woody-earthy, faintly camphorous, with atractylon and beta-eudesmol as key components. The 'rhizoma' presentation — sliced, dried discs of the root — adds a dry-dusty quality to the fresh aromatic character.

Functions as a niche note in TCM-inspired, incense, and medicinal compositions. The dried-root form adds dusty-dry texture absent from fresh distillation.

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Related: Alder · Alpha Humulene · Amaranth · Amberever · Amburana Bark · Antillone · Apple Tree

Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method

The rhizome is harvested, sliced, and dried. Essential oil obtained by steam distillation of dried slices. Not widely traded in Western perfumery.

Formula: Key compounds: atractylone (C₁₅H₂₀O), beta-eudesmol (C₁₅H₂₆O), hinesol
CAS: N/A — natural extract, no single CAS
Botanical: Atractylodes lancea
Appearance: Pale yellow to amber viscous liquid
Odour strength: Medium
Synonyms: Atractylodes, Bai Zhu, Cangzhu

IFRA status

See note

No IFRA Standard for the material itself (51st Amendment)

Physical properties

Note: Essential oil from Atractylodes lancea rhizome; used in traditional Chinese medicine and perfumery

In Perfumery

Niche note providing TCM dried-rhizome character. Overlaps with cangzhu but emphasizes the dried, processed form. Functions in medicinal, incense, and East Asian-themed compositions.

Role in the formula

01modifier

02backbone

03signature note

04blender

05naturalizer

06volume builder

Available as

essential oil absolute