Saposhnikoviae Radix
Aliases：Tóng Yún (Copper Cloud); Huí Yún (Returning Cloud); Huí Cǎo (Returning Herb); Bǎi Zhī (Hundred Branches); Bǎi Jiǔ (Hundred Leeks); Bǎi Zhǒng (Hundred Species); Píng Fēng (Wind Screen); Fēng Ròu (Wind Meat).
Fáng Fēng (Saposhnikovia Root) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is an exterior-releasing medicinal material, and is the dried root of Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk., a plant of the Apiaceae family. The root is long conical or cylindrical in shape, with a distinct, dense ring pattern at the head, commonly referred to as the “earthworm head.” It has a distinctive odor and a slightly sweet taste. The name “Fáng Fēng” first appeared in the Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica). It is named for its ability to dispel wind pathogens and protect the body like a wind screen, hence also known as “Píng Fēng” (Wind Screen).
Efficacy & Actions
Dispels wind and releases the exterior; eliminates dampness and relieves pain; stops convulsions.
Indications
Indicated for colds with headache, rheumatic arthralgia, rubella with itching, and tetanus.
Modern Pharmacology
Antipyretic effect. Analgesic effect. Anti-inflammatory effect: The main active components are chromone compounds. Anti-allergic effect. Anticonvulsant effect. Antitumor effect. Antioxidant effect. Immunomodulatory effect. Anti-platelet aggregation and anticoagulant effects.
Ingredients
Chromones: These are the main active components of Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root). A total of 22 chromone compounds have been isolated and identified, including cimifugin, prim-O-glucosylcimifugin, 5-O-methylvisamminol glucoside, hamaudol, sec-O-glucosylhamaudol, among others. Prim-O-glucosylcimifugin and 5-O-methylvisamminol glucoside are the quality control marker components specified in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Coumarins: Bergapten, etc. Volatile Oils. Polysaccharides. Other Components: Acidic polysaccharides, etc.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, the standard dosage is 5–10g (some sources record 3–10g or 6–15g); may also be prepared in wine preparations, pills, or powder. Topical Application: Appropriate amount, decocted in water for fumigation and washing.
Contraindications
Not suitable for patients with yin-blood deficiency or wind movement due to excess heat. Contraindicated in patients with headache and dizziness due to liver yang rising. Use with caution in patients with convulsions due to blood deficiency or yin deficiency with fire excess. Contraindicated for individuals allergic to Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root): A small number of people may experience allergic reactions such as upper abdominal discomfort, nausea, skin itching, and erythema. Use with caution during pregnancy: Those planning pregnancy, pregnant, or breastfeeding should consult a physician. Herbal incompatibilities: Incompatible with dried ginger (Gan Jiang), Veratrum nigrum (Li Lu), Cynanchum atratum (Bai Wei), and Daphne genkwa (Yuan Hua); antagonistic to Dioscorea hypoglauca (Bi Xie). Drug interactions: Should not be used together with heavy metal salts. Avoid cold, raw, spicy, and greasy foods during the course of use.
Selected Formulas
For exterior deficiency with spontaneous sweating, sweating with aversion to wind, and susceptibility to wind pathogens (Danxi Xinfa, Yupingfeng San) Take Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia), Huangqi (Astragalus), and Baizhu (Atractylodes). Grind into powder. Take 9g each time with three slices of ginger, decoct in water and drink. Modern common dosage: Huangqi 30g, Baizhu 30g, Fangfeng 15g. For wind-cold exterior pattern with headache, body pain, and aversion to wind-cold (Shesheng Zhongmiao Fang, Jingfang Baidu San) Take Fangfeng with Jingjie (Schizonepeta), Qianghuo (Notopterygium), and Duhuo (Angelica pubescens). Decoct in water and drink. For wind-dampness external contraction with headache as if wrapped, heavy body, and limb pain (Neiwaishang Bianhuo Lun, Qianghuo Shengshi Tang) Take Fangfeng with Qianghuo, Gaoben (Ligusticum), and Chuanxiong (Ligusticum). Decoct in water and drink. For wind-cold attacking the exterior (Heji Ju Fang, Xiaofeng San) Take Fangfeng with Mahuang (Ephedra), Baizhi (Angelica dahurica), and Cangerzi (Xanthium). Decoct in water and drink. For external wind, joint pain, and soothing sinews and vessels (Jin Gui Yao Lue, Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimu Tang) Take Fangfeng as part of the formula Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimu Tang. Decoct in water and drink. For consumptive disease (Jin Gui Yao Lue, Shuyu Wan) Take Fangfeng as part of the formula Shuyu Wan. Make into pills and take. For spontaneous sweating (Danxi Xinfa, Yupingfeng San) Take 30g each of Fangfeng and Huangqi, and 60g of Baizhu. Grind into powder. Take 9g each time with three slices of ginger, decoct in water and drink. For hemicrania (empirical formula) Take 120g each of Fangfeng and Baizhi. Grind into fine powder, make into honey pills and take.
Daily Consumption
Fangfeng Tea: Take 5–10g of Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia Root), steep in boiling water or decoct with water, and drink as tea. It may be used as an adjunctive treatment for early-stage wind-cold colds with headache and body pain. Fangfeng Congee (from Qian Jin Yue Ling): Cook Fangfeng together with polished rice to make a congee. It helps dispel wind, release the exterior, and relieve pain. Suitable for fever, chills, aversion to wind, headache, and body pain due to wind-cold external contraction. Fangfeng Fruit Tea: Steep Fangfeng together with fruits such as apples and kiwis, cover and let infuse for about 10 minutes before drinking. It may help enhance immunity and prevent colds.
Medicinal Parts
Dried root.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, protected from insects. Store in a dry container.
