Fang Feng (Radix Saposhnikoviae) is from the root of Saposhnikoviae divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk, family Umbelliferae. The medicinal material is collected in spring or autumn. It is sun-dried and then cut into pieces. It is most commonly used in its raw form, or sometimes in its carbonised form.
Category: Exterior Releasing.
Common Name: Saposnikovia Root; Ledebouriella Root; Siler.
Channels Entered: Bladder, Liver and Spleen.
Properties and Functions: Fang Feng is pungent and sweet in flavour, and slightly warm in nature. Its functions are:
- Release the exterior and dispel Wind.
- Expel Wind, Cold and Damp to relieve pain.
- Dispel internal Liver-Wind and relieve muscle spasms.
Indications: Clinical indications for Fang Feng include:
- Exterior syndrome due to Wind-Cold manifesting as severe headache and general pain.
- Disease caused by exogenous Wind, Cold and Dampness manifesting as severe headache, painful limbs and general heaviness of the body.
- Arthralgia due to Wind-Cold-Dampness accompanied by joint pain in the extremities, with stiffness of the tendons.
- Convulsions and tremors of the hands and feet.
- Disharmony of the Spleen due to Liver disorder marked by intestinal wind, abdominal pain and recurrent, painful diarrhoea, sometimes accompanied by bright blood in the stool.
Dosage: 3 – 9g
Cautions and Contra-Indications: Contra-indicated in cases of spasms/convulsions due to Blood-deficiency; deficient Yin with Heat; absence of pathogenic Wind, Dampness or Cold.